Posted on 01/03/2006 11:46:16 AM PST by lizol
Poland seeking other gas sources amid Russia-Ukraine dispute
01.03.2006, 05:34 AM
WARSAW (AFX) - Poland began talks today with Nordic and Central Asian countries that produce natural gas in a bid to reduce the volume it imports from Russia, whose gas price row with Ukraine has affected supplies around Europe.
'We have begun talks with northern countries and also countries further east than Russia,' Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz said on public radio today.
'I think that we will also begin soon to build a maritime terminal for liquid gas, because it is clear that diversifying our sources of importation of gas should be a priority for Poland,' he added.
Marcinkiewicz criticised the previous left-wing government for not finalising a gas deal with Norway four years ago, for negotiating poor terms with Russia for gas imports, and for investing too little in prospecting for natural gas in Poland.
Late yesterday, Poland's national security council called for 'an immediate decision on the construction of a maritime terminal for liquid gas, for measures to diversify imports, and for an urgent increase in gas extraction in Poland.'
Poland used 13.6 bln cubic metres of natural gas in 2004, around one-third of which was drawn from domestic sources, 42 pct was imported from Russia, 20 pct from Central Asia, and lesser quantities from Norway and Germany, according to national gas company PGNiG.
The volume of Russian gas flowing into Poland fell by up to 50 pct on Sunday after Moscow cut supplies to Ukraine amid a long-running row over prices, Polish officials have said.
Several other European nations also felt the effects as Moscow stopped the flow of natural gas into Ukrainian pipelines, through which Russian gas transits on its way to Europe.
Accusing Ukraine of siphoning off gas meant for Europe, Russian energy giant Gazprom promised to increase exports westward to make up for the shortfall being felt in Poland and other states around the European Union.
Late Monday, Austria and Hungary separately reported that gas pressure had returned to normal levels on pipelines running from Ukraine. Gazprom has vowed that the gas flow to western Europe will be at normal levels as of this evening.
If Ukraine hadn't subsquently syphoned gas for itself maybe it's Polish neighbor would have gotten the gas destined for Poland.
The fallout is beginning. It's possible to blame the Ukraine for some of these difficulties, but there's no question that Russia's reputation as a reliable business partner will suffer.
In case you didn't read the article, Poland's intention is to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.
Doesn't change the fact that the reason they had gas problems is because Ukraine syphoned off the gas. All those Poles who've been defending Ukraine just got stiffed on gas as a result of the fact Ukraine has absolutly no respect for rights to the gas lines, and hasn't in 15 years.
That's perfectly logical step.
Which doesn't change the fact that Poland wishes to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. Thanks for playing. Next.
I think the Poles should diverify their gas, it's a smart strategic move, but it shouldn't come as a surprise when they've been goading the Ukranians into causing this for months.
Poland may as well have cut gas themselves the way they've been telling Yushchenko et all; go for it, you stick it to Russia.
So what? Are you suggesting the Poles run their foreign policy through the Kremlin? (I know that's what you truly want, wink wink).
Can you count? So count on yourself. ;)
I'm suggesting it's a stupid policy to encourage your neighbor to not pay his bills and have his gas cut off if you're apartments are wired in series.
Unless you are trying to get him to find his gas elsewhere, I suppose.
Show a single evidence, that Poland encouraged any country not to pay its bills.
It is a well known fact that Ukraine hasn't been paying for gas to SEVERAL nations, encouraging them to 'take a stand' when they owe Russia money, have stolen Russian gas, have admited to stealing Russian gas, and have effectively stolen other countries gas as they've never paid for it is in fact supporting Ukraine not paying it's debts.
No smart policy would be to help him find it THEN tell him to not pay his old bill not tell him hey go for it stick it to the man then be surprised when you wake up without power.
"To take a stand" about what?
Hello, Poland does not plan to rely that strongly in the future on Russia = bad for Russia.
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