POLAND: AMBASSADOR'S INTRO CALL ON NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 002564 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR DKOSTELANCIK AND BPUTNEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SOCI PL SUBJECT: POLAND: AMBASSADOR'S INTRO CALL ON NEW CONSTRUCTION MINISTER REF: A. A) WARSAW 1028 ¶B. B) WARSAW 555 ¶C. C) WARSAW 482 WARSAW 00002564 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified, not for internet distribution. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador paid an introductory call on new Minister of Construction, Andrzej Aumiller on December 7. During the meeting, Aumiller explained his hope to build 3 million housing units in Poland over the next eight years, claiming that such a number is necessary to catch up to EU standards. Aumiller stated that Poland currently has 330 units per 1000 people, and his goal is to raise that to 540 units per 1000 people. He noted that the biggest obstacle to such development is disputes over land ownership which need to be sorted out before building can begin. However, Aumiller is motivated by the economic growth Poland is experiencing and hopes that will translate into additional funding for government-subsidized housing for the poor. Aumiller proposed spending 2.5 billion PLN (USD 800 million) over the next 8 years on housing, saying that 220 million PLN (USD 70 million) is already allocated for 100,000 units in ¶2007. ¶3. (U) Aumiller acknowledged that there is a lack of skilled construction workers in Poland, claiming that the best technicians have left to work in other EU countries. He hopes that increased salaries in the sector will attract some of those workers back. He also hopes that increased salaries and EU job training funds will encourage miners and farmers to switch to construction. ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador brought to Aumiller's attention the case of AIG Lincoln, an American company that has been attempting to build a housing development in Raszyn, a suburb of Warsaw, for years (reftels). AIG has run into numerous obstacles, most of them centered around the former mayor of Raszyn. Since the mayor recently lost his bid for re-election, the Ambassador expressed hope that things will progress faster with the newly elected mayor. Aumiller offered to look into the case if AIG appealed its denial of a construction permit to the Minister (Aumiller himself). Aumiller stated that he would do what he can if the case is not yet in court. If the case is already in court, then he cannot get involved. Econoff made AIG aware of Aumiller's offer and AIG is considering how to proceed. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Throughout the meeting Aumiller did most of the talking, not allowing the Ambassador to interject on multiple occasions. Aumiller also cut off the interpreter on numerous occasions, sometimes rudely. Although he seems to have passion for his new portfolio, his style does not encourage others to join his cause. End Comment. ¶6. (U) Background: The Ministry of Construction was created in May 2006 when PiS (Law and Justice Party) signed new coalition agreements with Samobrona (Self-Defense) and LPR (League of Polish Families). It was separated from the Ministry of Transport and the new Minister was appointed from the Self-Defense party. Andrzej Aumiller was appointed Minister of Construction on November 3, 2006, the third Self-Defense member to hold this position since the Ministry's creation in May. The Ministry handles housing management, housing finance, the real estate market, spatial planning and architecture, city policy and revitalization, the construction market, and construction jurisdiction. End Background. ¶7. (U) BIO: In July 2005 Andrzej Aumiller left the Labor Union Party (UP) and joined Self-Defense (SO). While a member of UP from 1993-2005 he was Chairman of the Labor Union Parliamentary Caucus in April 2004. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chairman of the caucus. Aumiller was a Sejm Deputy from 1989-1991; 1993-1997; and 2001-2005. He was also a Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the State Treasury Committee. Aumiller was a member of UP from 1993-2005. Prior to that, he spent three years as a member of the Polish Social Democratic Union (PUS). Until 1990, he was a member of the communist Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR). Aumiller was born in Poznan and graduated from the WARSAW 00002564 002.2 OF 002 Agricultural University in Poznan in 1971. He worked for many years at various horticultural companies. In 1994, he became the Director of the horticulture company "Naramowice," and in 1997 became the Chairman of its Managing Board. Since 1978, he has been a member of the Scientific and Technical association of Horticulture Engineers. Aumiller was born in 1947. He is married and has two children. ASHE