Russian Government Does Not Contemplate Repeating First Reading Of 2002 Draft Budget

The Russian government is not contemplating repeating of the first reading of the 2002 draft budget. Alexei Kudrin, the Finance Minister, who was commenting on the sharp drop in the world oil prices, disclosed this to a RIA Novosti correspondent. The Vice-Premier made no comment on whether it would be necessary to alter the budget in light of the fall in the oil prices.