Oltchim privatization "failed"

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Monday night at the Victoria Palace that the stake sale the state had at Oltchim failed.

"From that night, the circus has to stop, we have an obligation to the thousands of employees at companies Oltchim and Arpechim to end the circus triggered by one of the participants," said Victor Ponta.

The prime minister claimed that, from now, the backup plan must be explained for restarting work, save jobs and prepare a new procedure for privatization under much different and much improved conditions.

"Changed Approach" for Oltchim

The Head of government said the he asked the economy minister Daniel Chitoiu that Oltchim approach to be completely changed, "in order to show how we got here and what will be done from now on."

Victor Ponta stated that what made ​​Dan Diaconescu will be a subject notification that OPSPI will forward to relevant bodies of law, for what the prime minister called "how tried and used false documents and public institutions deceived" .

The prime minister said that the term of ten days that Dan Diaconescu had to respect what he proposed through the bid submitted on September the 21st expired Monday night.

"He promised to pay 45 million euros, not 1.8 million, no money for salaries, but 45 million euros, which the government was immediately willing to pay as safeguard loan for restart the factory.

"He undertook to present a business plan in 48 hours, he did not present, which reinforced the belief that it was not a serious offer.

"He took the offer that will present management team, which has not happened," said Victor Ponta.

Money for salaries, "brought by bag"

The owner and TV creator Dan Diaconescu sustained earlier that he wants to pay salaries to Oltchim employees, if a contract to acquire majority stake in the factory is not signed.

Dan Diaconescu's lawyers argued that the bags where money would be found to pay the overdue salaries was in front of the Ministry of Economy in a car of transport values.


Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University