POLAND: DCM MEETING IN MINISTRY OF ECONOMY ON AIG

UNCLAS WARSAW 000555 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/NCE DKOSTELANCIK AND MSESSUMS COMMERCE FOR 4232/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/MROGERS, JBURGESS, JKIMBALL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV ECON PL SUBJECT: POLAND: DCM MEETING IN MINISTRY OF ECONOMY ON AIG LINCOLN/RASZYN PROJECT REF: WARSAW 482 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified - not for internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) DCM met with Andrzej Kaczmarek of the Ministry of Economy March 23 to follow up Embassy's March 14 meeting (reftel) with Gmina Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor. AIG Lincoln Residential Director Christopher Sweeney also attended. Kaczmarek was called away to the Sejm at the last moment, but was represented in the meeting by Ministry of Economy staff Cezariusz Kwaterski, Director of the Department for International Cooperation; Radoslaw Ciechanski, Expert from the Foreign Investment and Export Promotion Department; and Zofia Schnitzer, Head Specialist, Department of International Bilateral Relations. Adam Janczak, Vice-Director of the Polish Foreign Investment Agency also attended. ¶2. (SBU) DCM began the meeting by recounting March 14 discussions with Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor, and stating to Kwaterski that the Embassy was encouraged by the Mayor's statement that the Gmina is willing work constructively with AIG Lincoln and does not oppose the project. DCM also informed Kwaterski that AIG Lincoln sent the letter requested by Gmina Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor as a precondition to a meeting. Kwaterski responded that he knew the case well, partially from discussions in Washington during his recent trip there with U/S Kaczmarek for the U.S.-Polish Economic/Commercial Dialogue. Kwaterski also stated that U/S Kaczmarek would like to be briefed on developments, indicating that Kaczmarek was prepared to weigh in if necessary. Kwaterski mentioned that the GOP had reviewed the case and felt favorably about the project. Sweeney and DCM promised to keep Kwaterski apprised of any further developments. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. The current GOP established new housing construction as one of its domestic policy goals, and the sustained inertia of Gmina Raszyn (particularly the Mayor and Vice-Mayor) on the AIG Lincoln project has apparently caught the attention of high-ranking PIS members. We were told, for example, that Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz knows of the case. Momentum seems to be building within the GOP that could help move the AIG Lincoln project toward fruition. The next step is for Gmina Raszyn to respond to AIG Lincoln's letter requesting a meeting. We will continue to follow developments and stay involved in the case. ASHE