Superconductor
Giving evidence before the parliamentary commission investigating the Gazeta-gate affair, Adam Michnik, editor of Gazeta Wyborcza, stated that he did not believe the prime minister had been behind the alleged bribery attempt by Lew Rywin. Michnik insisted, however, that a cover-up was being instigated over the incident, in which it is alleged a €16.2 million ($17.5 million) bribe was solicited from media group Agora, owner of Gazeta Wyborcza, in return for a promise to change a media bill that Agora is fighting.
"I have the impression that Mr. Rywin has powerful protectors," Michnik told the inquiry. "No suspect has ever had such an easy ride."
When asked in a radio interview why he had not pressured Michnik into revealing the alleged bribery attempt earlier, Prime Minister Leszek Miller said he had been told by Michnik that he was talking to at least 12 people about it. When one was talking to 12 people, the prime minister contended, the matter could not be hidden.
Responding to another question, in which it was put to him that it was rather strange that Michnik had used the phrase "I don't remember" so often in front of the parliamentary inquiry, Miller replied, "Please excuse me from commenting on Mr. Michnik's memory. This is a question for him to answer."
A new name was cast into the conspiracy, when the parliamentary inquiry called for public television chief Robert Kwiatkowski to stand down after he was named in connection with the bribery allegations. Following further testimony from Michnik, committee member and Civic Platform deputy Jan Maria Rokita said, "It is clear that chief executive Kwiatkowski is a person around whom there are serious suspicions." According to Michnik, Rywin told him he had been acting on orders from Kwiatkowski. However, Kwiatkowski claimed the bribery proposal had been initiated by Agora itself. Michnik's response was to say that he was amazed by this version of events, and called it "pure surrealism." The National Radio and Television Council announced it would take no stand on the commission's demand that Kwiatkowski be suspended.
In another twist to the saga, as Agora president Wanda Rapaczyński was giving her testimony to the parliamentary inquiry, the Warsaw prosecutor's office revealed that the company was seeking victim status in further proceedings. According to the law, a victim or his proxy has the right to take part in some of the prosecutor's undertakings, but may also file a protest against the ruling of the prosecutor, for instance, in the event of proceedings being discontinued.
The Civic Platform submitted a motion to Sejm speaker Marek Borowski that further work be suspended on the amendment to the radio and television bill that is at the centre of the whole affair, at least until the Rywin case is closed. The party also said it believed that further work on the bill should not involve the authors of the original radio and TV law.
Rokita refused to rule out the possibility that, in connection with the Gazeta-gate affair, the opposition may request a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister. He said a decision depended on what Miller disclosed to the inquiry commission.
"I have the impression that Mr. Rywin has powerful protectors," Michnik told the inquiry. "No suspect has ever had such an easy ride."
When asked in a radio interview why he had not pressured Michnik into revealing the alleged bribery attempt earlier, Prime Minister Leszek Miller said he had been told by Michnik that he was talking to at least 12 people about it. When one was talking to 12 people, the prime minister contended, the matter could not be hidden.
Responding to another question, in which it was put to him that it was rather strange that Michnik had used the phrase "I don't remember" so often in front of the parliamentary inquiry, Miller replied, "Please excuse me from commenting on Mr. Michnik's memory. This is a question for him to answer."
A new name was cast into the conspiracy, when the parliamentary inquiry called for public television chief Robert Kwiatkowski to stand down after he was named in connection with the bribery allegations. Following further testimony from Michnik, committee member and Civic Platform deputy Jan Maria Rokita said, "It is clear that chief executive Kwiatkowski is a person around whom there are serious suspicions." According to Michnik, Rywin told him he had been acting on orders from Kwiatkowski. However, Kwiatkowski claimed the bribery proposal had been initiated by Agora itself. Michnik's response was to say that he was amazed by this version of events, and called it "pure surrealism." The National Radio and Television Council announced it would take no stand on the commission's demand that Kwiatkowski be suspended.
In another twist to the saga, as Agora president Wanda Rapaczyński was giving her testimony to the parliamentary inquiry, the Warsaw prosecutor's office revealed that the company was seeking victim status in further proceedings. According to the law, a victim or his proxy has the right to take part in some of the prosecutor's undertakings, but may also file a protest against the ruling of the prosecutor, for instance, in the event of proceedings being discontinued.
The Civic Platform submitted a motion to Sejm speaker Marek Borowski that further work be suspended on the amendment to the radio and television bill that is at the centre of the whole affair, at least until the Rywin case is closed. The party also said it believed that further work on the bill should not involve the authors of the original radio and TV law.
Rokita refused to rule out the possibility that, in connection with the Gazeta-gate affair, the opposition may request a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister. He said a decision depended on what Miller disclosed to the inquiry commission.
