Final Word from Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The history of Agrofert is full of murky loans, mysterious deaths and a labyrinth of mergers, acquisitions and intentional false starts (like United Bakeries). The importance of Stork's Nest is that it can be readily understood even by those who lose themselves in the other cloak-and-daggery. Stork's Nest makes it clear how Andrej Babiš made some of his money. Something similar can be said of Cadogan Telecommunications. One of Petr Kellner's best-kept secrets (except among aficionados) is how he bought and destroyed Telekomunikační montáže Praha (TMP). Mojmír Hampl and Jan Macháček explained the process way back in June 1997 in Respekt. It is the same Respekt that has now revealed, thanks to the Panama Papers, that Kellner used a Kč 1.2bn loan from IPB to an anonymous offshore vehicle, Cadogan, to buy TMP. PPF is now unable to say whether the loan was ever repaid. Which is like Babiš saying he never owned Stork's Nest. [Czech Republic PPF]
Glossary of difficult words
murky - not clear; obscure or morally questionable;
false start - an unsuccessful attempt to begin something;
cloak-and-daggery - a situation or event involving or characterized by mystery, intrigue or espionage;
aficionado - a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.