Falling Oil Prices Will Not Entail Exigencies For Russia

Russian Vice-Premier and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin says that no unpredictable scenario due to would-be falling oil prices next year awaits Russia. "We are prepared for any scenario", he assured. According to Kudrin, in 2002 rock-bottom prices of oil will not be below expectations. The reference point is 18.5 dollars per barrel of Urals oil. To Kudrin, it is the annual average price. Meanwhile, additional scenarios have been prepared just in case, in order to charter proper behavior. For instance, it is preparation of a new program for interaction with the International Monetary Fund and agreements with other lending institutions. During the recent visit to Moscow by IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler all steps were coordinated to be taken in case oil prices go down. Earlier, Kudrin also reached agreement with the president of the Club of Paris that falling prices of oil will not entail the Russian government's falling through on its liabilities.