The weeklies say Moscow's decision to cut of gas flow to Europe last Wednesday does not come as a surprise and point out it's a warning for Poland.

Weekly press reviewed by Krystyna Kolosowska

Newsweek Polska is not surprised by the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute and Moscow’s decision to suspend gas deliveries to Ukraine. On Monday, it expected more unpleasant moves by Moscow this year. Sooner or later, they will also affect Poland and not only it, the weekly said in a prediction which proved true already on Wednesday, when Moscow cut off the flow of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine. The threat began to grow after the September global financial crisis, which caused oil prices to fall dramatically. In this way the only source of fuelling Russian national pride disappeared practically overnight. The weekly writes in conclusion that coexistence with un-democratic countries, such as Russia, is possible as long as they are rich. But when they are squeezed for money, they become unpredictable and dangerous for their neighbors. Ukraine has learned this lesson in a painful way. This is also a warning for Poland, Newsweek writes.
Gazeta Polska says that there is a group of countries, which need a permanent conflict to fuel their economic growth. Thanks to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, oil exporting countries in the Middle East saw the price of their produce rise. For Moscow, international rows are not only an occasion to benefit from higher oil prices but also to explain to its citizens, why their living standards are declining. The weekly writes in its news analysis column that Russia is treating its fuels as instruments of political pressure on sovereign countries. It is striving to assume full control over its natural gas deliveries to the European Union and to eliminate go-betweens in its transit, that is Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.

Polityka says that it is impossible to predict at the start of 2009 whether Poland’s economy will continue to grow, or may be this country will plunge into recession. Will it still be a dynamic rising economy or an unfortunate victim of somebody else’s mistakes? The main causes of the current problems lie outside Poland and concern investment and exports. Therefore, it is useless to spend public money on programs to revive the economy by boosting consumer spending. The government should also resist the lobbying of firms, which demand financial support. Not that such backing should be ruled out. But it has to be given in special situations, when it definitely makes sense and the cost of bankruptcy of firms would greatly exceed the cost of aid. Polityka also warns Poles against listening eagerly to what the populists, with their easy recipes for everything, say. We simply have to tighten our belts and weather the hard times, which are bound to end sooner or later.

The mid-western city of Poznan, whose residents are traditionally associated with the spirit of thrift and economy, is in the lead of preparations for the Euro 2012 championships, which Poland is to co-host with Ukraine, writes the weekly Solidarność. Other cities present their stadiums on paper or as nicely-lit models. Even in the capital city Warsaw construction of the National Stadium has only just begun. Visitors to Poznan can look at the stadium readied for the Euro and see for themselves how its modernization is progressing. It is to be completed in 2010, as the first of a dozen of sports facilities for the soccer championships. Poznan is also more and more football friendly. Its local team, Lech, has less financing than such giants as Krakow’s Wisła and Warsaw’s Legia, and yet it is the first Polish team to advance from the UEFA Cup group stages and is referred to as the most watchable Polish team.

Przekrój lists its candidates for the annual Marvel of the Year awards. This year, it nominated 12 persons and institutions, which did something extraordinary and useful. Four winners will be eventually chosen by the weekly, the fifth one – by the readers. Among the nominees is the Children’s University, which offers lectures and workshops on science for kids on weekends. In 2007 and 2008, they attracted some 2,000 students aged from 7 to 12. The university has enjoyed enormous popularity and the response of the children has been enthusiastic. Also listed is Robert Kubica, the first Polish Formula One driver and twice Grand Prix winner. His determination, but also modesty and calmness, are the features that people find impressive in him, says Przekrój.