NEMTSOV TO CHAIR KEY COMMISSION.

Russian first deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov has been named as chairman of a special new government commission overseeing the implementation of production-sharing agreements in the Russian Federation. (Itar-Tass, September 8) These agreements aim to encourage foreign investment in natural resources by guaranteeing investors that their rights will be protected and that they will not be prevented by retroactive legislation from repatriating their profits.

Still No Agreement on Caspian Oil Transit.