16 May 2004 16:29
RUSSIA: CONFLICT HEATS UP
EES has recently rebuffed an offering by the republic to settle the dispute. Khakasian Republic leaders signaled that
they are ready to drop their legal action challenging the dam's privatization, if the EES would cut its electricity
rates, "Vedomosti" reported on 12 May. EES spokesman Andrei Yegorov told the daily, "We do not see a
possibility of reaching a peace agreement, because we consider the privatization of Sayano-Shushensk to have been
absolutely legal." According to "The Moscow Times" on 13 May, Russian Aluminum is the dam's chief
customer, using up to 70 percent of its electricity. Khakasia Republic President Aleksei Lebed is considered a close
ally of Base Element head Oleg Deripaska. Base Element owns 50 percent of Russian Aluminum. JAC Copyright (c) 2004.
RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
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