Government retains right to issue Eurobonds in 2003

The Russian government will retain a right to issue Eurobonds in the amountof $1.25bn in 2003, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister AlexeyKudrin said at a briefing in the House of Government. He reiterated thegovernment was not planning to take foreign credits next year. The budgetdraft for 2003 is mapped out so as not to "take foreign credits", theDeputy Prime Minister pointed out. Kudrin was quoted as saying "Russia willrun high credit risks". .