By Olga Razumovskaya
MOSCOW--The Russian government is currently not discussing ways
to privatize state-controlled telecoms operator Rostelecom
(RTKM.RS), communications and mass media minister Nikolai Nikiforov
said Thursday on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International
Economic Forum, Russian news agencies reported.
On Wednesday, Russian business daily Kommersant, citing an
unnamed source in the government, reported that the government was
discussing selling its 55.6% stake in the company to the "big
three" telecom operators Mobile TeleSystems (MBT), VimpelCom (VIP)
and MegaFon (MFON.MZ), bypassing international investors.
Mr. Nikiforov said this "scheme" of Rostelecom's privatization
is not under discussion.
News agency websites: www.interfax.ru, www.1prime.ru
Write to Olga Razumovskaya olga.razumovskaya@dowjones.com
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