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

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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

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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