Gov't Not to Intervene in Norilsk Nickel-Related Dispute

NORISK, Sep. 1 -- The government will only step in to the dispute between Norilsk Nickel's shareholders if it begins to negatively affect the social and economic situation in Norilsk, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin told journalists today. "We do not intervene in corporate problems. Let them reach an agreement on their own. If the dispute affects Norilsk's social and economic situation, though, we will be forced to come up with an action plan," he stated. At the same time, he indicated that the government had not considered purchasing Norilsk Nickel's assets. He did not rule out the possibility of putting pressure on the company's shareholders through licensing legislation. Meanwhile, Interros's head Vladimir Potanin confirmed that in accordance with the stance described by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin today, "It is the shareholders' internal affair as long as the company is doing fine."