Chubais Names Last Energy Sector Reform Opponents

United Energy Systems Chief Anatoly Chubais says the last opponents of energy sector reform include one Energy Minister deputy, and the Communist party and Yabloko political party fractions in the State Duma. According to Rosbalt Chubais made his statements at a meeting of the Straight from the Horse's mouth club of regional journalists in Moscow on Tuesday. Chubais did not clarify which Energy Ministry deputy he meant; however, he said that in 2000 there were seven storm clouds near the 'around the sun' energy sector reform project: conservative energy bureaucrats, 'free' governors and mayors led by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and republic presidents, foreign minority stock holders, a majority of political fractions in the State Duma, senators, and oligarchic groups, one of which wanted to stop the reform before it began. Chubais said 'we had hoped that the legislation for reform would be passed sooner. On April 1 - or Fools' Day - the corresponding laws were passed, and now we have a lot of problems relating to realizing the reform laws in practice.'

The Russian regional journalists' club was created in the summer of 2001. The director of the project was Irina Yasina. The club holds regular seminars for regional journalists where directors of various structures and entities and members of executive and legislative power in Russia speak. Yasina said the goal of the seminars is to give regional journalists the opportunity to get information relating to economic and political events 'straight from the horse's mouth.' Approximately 200 journalists from cities across Russia have taken part in the seminars. Yukos oil company finances the project.