Tensions mount in Putin cabinet

[dArKeR]

Moscow — Russia's prime minister ignored his boss's warning not to meddle in the prosecutors' campaign against Yukos oil giant, saying Friday he is “very troubled” by the freezing of the company's stocks.

The comments from Russia's No. 2 leader appear to be the boldest sign yet of defiance from within President Vladimir Putin's Cabinet to an escalating investigation that has stoked financial and political turmoil.

“The arrest of shares of a private company that is traded on the market is a new phenomenon, the consequences of which are hard to define, since it's a new form of influence,” Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said in the southern city of Nalchik, in remarks shown on Russian television.

Mr. Putin bluntly warned his Cabinet on Monday against interfering in the prosecutors' investigation into Russia's largest oil company and its head Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was arrested Saturday by special agents at a Siberian airport.

http://theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031031.wruss1031/BNStory/International/

Election 2 weeks away? (I can't find where I read when the election is?)

[Nottingham]

1. Arresting one of the richest men in russia

can be tricky business!!!

Putin is definitely playing tough!!!

:bounce:

[snippy]

3. More arrests may be coming.

According to a Wall Street Journal reporter based in Moscow there are rumors that several more people may be arrested on similar charges.

[phoebe]

2. wonder if Prime Minister was promised something by Bush 1

when he paid a visit earlier this month???? Another coup on its way..just askin'

[dArKeR]

4. Putin strengthens grip on the Kremlin

The Russian president got rid of the last major figure from the Boris Yeltsin era in a move that is expected to consolidate his own power and that of his allies

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/11/01/2003074191