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#22 - JRL 2007-240 - JRL Home
Yavlinsky Exposes Weakness Of Russian Economy

CHELYABINSK. Nov 19 (Interfax) - The huge debt of semi-state corporations to foreign creditors pose a serious threat to Russia, Yabloko party leader Grigory Yavlinsky told a Monday press conference in Chelyabinsk.

"State finances are in order, yet corporate debt is very, very large," he said.

"If semi-state corporations demand that their debt be taken over by the government, very big problems may occur," Yavlinsky said. "It is hard to imagine that these corporations can repay their debt."

"Unsettled property rights" may result in a crisis in Russia, he noted.

"This country has not regulated property rights. This is very dangerous. If property is re-distributed as frequently as it is now and raider attacks do not stop, the entire edifice could eventually come crashing down," he said. "The reason is that Russia's largest enterprises are not sure of the laws and their rights."

"People handling property relations often take the law in their own hands. This means that you may fall into disgrace and all of your property may be seized despite your present of Faberge eggs to the president," he said.