Audit Chamber head on dynamics of oil prices

The US military operation against Iraq is destroying the existing system of providing international security, based on the UN and decisions of its Security Council, which were absolutely ignored this time, a statement by Chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber Sergey Stepashin says.

According to him, now it is necessary to do our best to avoid civilian casualties, and to prevent the destruction of vital infrastructure and sites of ancient civilization, which are a treasure not only of the Iraqi people but also of the entire humanity. It is as important to prevent a civilization conflict between the Islamic world and the rest of the mankind, which could have tragic consequences for the entire world order.

The Audit Chamber has repeatedly presented expert estimates of economic consequences of the Iraqi war for the Russian economy. It is now important that the Russian government would closely watch the dynamics of fluctuations of oil prices and timely correct budget revenues and financial reserves, Stepashin pointed out.

Taking into account a potential deterioration of conditions of the national economic development, the Audit Chamber is going to intensify efforts for in creasing the efficiency of using budget resources and federal property, the statement of the Audit Chamber head says.