Poland's new central bank chief Leszek Balcerowicz said on Feb. 6, 2001, the timing of the country's eventual switch from the zloty to the euro after joining the European Union was still an open issue.Balcerowicz's statement backs away from his predecessor's ambitious plan to bring Poland into the euro-zone three years after it enters the EU. Poland wants to join the rich 15-member club by 2003, although entry by 2004 or later is more likely.

"This (the timing of euro-zone entry) is one of the