US criticizes Russian move on Yukos

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday criticized Msocow's move to take over the main asset of oil giant Yukos, saying the lack of transparency in the process could hurt Russia's standing in the world economy.
"We're disappointed in the way this case has been handled," deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters after the Russian state petroleum company Rosneft acquired Yukos' core oil-pumping subsidiary, Yuganskneftegaz.
"We certainly don't think it's been disposed of in a transpraent or open way," he said. "We think this sends the wrong signals to foreign investors and could negatively impact Russia's role in the global economy."

12/23/2004 18:33 GMT - AFP