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Russian PM 'worried' by Yukos
From CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Investors took a deep breath after the tumultuous events of Thursday tied to the ongoing investigation of Yukos Oil Company and its head, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. After steep declines in the Russian stock market Thursday, stocks rallied Friday. By early afternoon, Yukos had regained nearly all of the ground it lost Thursday. (Full story) In another worrying sign, however, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov told reporters he is "deeply concerned" over steps by Russian prosecutors to freeze 44 percent of the shares in Yukos Oil Company. Kasyanov, quoted by Interfax news agency, called it a "new phenomenon ... the consequences of which are hard to predict." "It's a new form of pressure," he added. The prime minister's remarks came the day after President Vladimir Putin tried to calm investors, inviting leading Russian and international money men to the Kremlin and assuring them that the ongoing investigation of Yukos Oil Company and the arrest almost a week ago of Khodorkovsky does not mean a broader change in policy for the Russian government. Putin, meanwhile, relieved his chief of staff, Alexander Voloshin, from his duties, the Kremlin announced late Thursday night. Voloshin was considered a supporter of big business and Russian media, in reports not confirmed by the Kremlin, said he had quit in protest over the arrest of Khodorkovsky. A new poll shows residents of the capital, Moscow, split on the significance of the Yukos affair. The VTSIOM-A agency poll shows that 19 percent of Moscow residents are "surprised" at the arrest of Khodorkovsky. Eighteen percent of respondents say they "welcome" the arrest and another 18 percent say they are "uneasy, concerned and outraged" by what has happened. Seven percent say they are happy with the arrest. The case is receiving side coverage in the media and according to the poll, 90 percent of Muscovites say they are aware of Khodorkovsky's arrest. The arrest has sparked fears of re-nationalization and the polls shows that 46 percent of respondents believe the arrest is politically motivated; 16 percent say it is not. The poll was conducted October 28 to 30 and has a margin of error of 4.5 percent.
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