World Bank torn over loan to mining sector

The Bank's report on the issue, while mentioning reservations relating to the economy and the mining sector, says that granting the loan is necessary. The report further claims that rejecting the loan application might prevent the sector from completing key reforms this year. The Bank believes that Silesia has chances of receiving EU funds and thus it should receive money for participating in necessary projects. About $200 million would be spent on severance packages for miners and training them for new jobs, another $100 million might be designated for closing unprofitable mines and $200 million for privatizing the sector by 2006. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.