Oligarchs Set Up Self-Defense Committee

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov says privatization results are unshakable
Chairwoman of the Russian Federation President's Human Rights Commission Ella Pamfilova said at a press-conference that Russian businessmen and members of the President's Human Rights Commission created a crisis group for protection of business interests.

Ella Pamfilova said: "We must prevent a chain reaction of arbitrariness in address of those people who make up the basis of the Russian economy. We must join efforts to protect business."

The chairwoman of the Commission also informed she had met with Russia's Prosecutor General on Thursday. Ella Pamfilova said the meeting was effective; she hoped to continue cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

Head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Businessmen Arkady Volsky said at the press-conference that he worried that results of privatization in Russia might be revised. Arkady Volsky admitted that privatization in this country was done quickly and not backed by the rule of law. However, it is important to seek a reasonable compromise to decide upon the results of state property privatization. The head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Businessmen suggested that legislation must be developed according to which a maximal term for revision of economic disputes in the sphere of privatization is to make up not more than three years. With that, Arkady Volsky said he was satisfied with his recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said that results of privatization were unshakable. He said: "The privatization results are unshakable; however it is important to upgrade privatization processes and make them more open. This must become the main objective for this and the next year."