MAGNITOGORSK, Russia. July 16 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin promised on Monday that his government would go ahead with its privatization program.

"The government announced its privatization plans in advance," Putin told a conference in Magnitogorsk. "I have said repeatedly that those plans will be carried out, they will be carried out."

Putin was commenting on a point by the chief executive of Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD), Vladimir Yakunin, - the latter claimed at the conference that the privatization of big state-owned railway companies in Europe is not on the agenda.

Putin objected, but said there is strong opposition in Europe to the privatization of large railway firms.

Left-wing parties are always against the privatization of railways, the Russian president said, but today even right-wingers "have rolled back from their positions" because of the crisis as they fear restructurings, personnel cuts and other adversities that privatizations often bring about.

"In our country, of course, companies such as RZD should also be handled very carefully, and not only because RZD, for example, is on the list pf strategic enterprises," Putin said.

He insisted that privatizations be as transparent as possible and that large numbers of experts be involved in them.

"We can record it in some form or other even today that taking this company (RZD), just as some other companies, off the strategic list must follow open discussions and by a plan that the government would have to present," he said.

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MAGNITOGORSK, Russia. July 16 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin promised on Monday that his government would go ahead with its privatization program.

"The government announced its privatization plans in advance," Putin told a conference in Magnitogorsk. "I have said repeatedly that those plans will be carried out, they will be carried out."

Putin was commenting on a point by the chief executive of Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD), Vladimir Yakunin, - the latter claimed at the conference that the privatization of big state-owned railway companies in Europe is not on the agenda.

Putin objected, but said there is strong opposition in Europe to the privatization of large railway firms.

Left-wing parties are always against the privatization of railways, the Russian president said, but today even right-wingers "have rolled back from their positions" because of the crisis as they fear restructurings, personnel cuts and other adversities that privatizations often bring about.

"In our country, of course, companies such as RZD should also be handled very carefully, and not only because RZD, for example, is on the list pf strategic enterprises," Putin said.

He insisted that privatizations be as transparent as possible and that large numbers of experts be involved in them.

"We can record it in some form or other even today that taking this company (RZD), just as some other companies, off the strategic list must follow open discussions and by a plan that the government would have to present," he said.