21 June 2004 13:12
Russian oil giant defiant over proposed sale of its assets
The shares of the [Russian oil giant] Yukos are going up. This, analysts note, is linked to statements made by a
number of high officials, Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref and Minister of Finance Aleksey Kudrin
in particular. Marina Maksimova reports.
[Maksimova] The key elements in the case against Yukos, German Gref thinks, are aspects which make it possible to
pursue criminal or administrative cases against the company, end of quote. If they did not exist, it would be impossible
to prosecute Yukos for political disloyalty, as we have no such law, the minister added.
Another minister, Aleksey Kudrin, also spoke about Yukos today. He said the company had enough money to pay what it
owes. In order to settle matters with the ministry of taxes and levies, Yukos must sell its assets.
The response from Yukos came without delay: We have no intention of selling our basic assets, RIA-Novosti agency was
told by the company. Only the Sibneft company can be up for sale.
[Presenter] Let me add that the best-performing shares on the stock exchange are those of Yukos. Today [21 June] they
went up by 6 per cent.
[Ekho Moskvy radio] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
