Deputy Prime Minister Does Not Confirm That Russia, Mexico, Norway Will Cut Oil Output By 500,000 Barrels Per Day From January 1, 2002

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko has not confirmed the information that Russia, Mexico, and Norway came to the final decision to cut oil output and exports by 500,000 barrels per day from January 1, 2002. Mr. Khristenko stressed that Russia "continues talks on this matter with representatives of oil-producing countries." Speaking on Russia's decision to cut oil output and exports in the fourth quarter of 2001 by 50,000 barrels per day, Mr. Khristenko noted that Russia had made this decision when all other countries were only discussing the possibility of implementing such a decision from January 1, 2002.