[Inkscape-user] How to have a break in a complex path?

Hi list,

I created an image that clearly illustrates my question: http://www.inf.sgsp.edu.pl/pub/hole_in_path.svg

How can I make a hole in image (a) to create effect like in image (b)? The way I did it was a little cheat: a) add a white rectangle on top b) make a bitmap copy c) trace

I couldn't achieve the effect with inkscape's boolean operations.

Thanks in advance, Karol