RusEnergy

11.05.2005 16:25 MSK - MosNews - Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to draft legislation that would limit foreign investment in those sectors of the Russian economy that are linked to national security. The news was reported by the presidential press service on Wednesday, May 11. The Kremlin press service, quoted by Reuters, said Putin wanted a bill concerning sectors ensuring "national security, enterprises working on state military orders, natural monopolies and strategic natural resources" ready by Nov. 1. It was not immediately clear whether Putin's order would have any impact on government plans to free up restrictions on foreign ownership of shares of natural gas monopoly Gazprom. Putin's order followed a decision made by the Russian Anti-Monopoly Ministry to forbid the purchase of engineering giant Power Machines by Germany's Siemens. The purchase was opposed by the military circles of the Russian government who said that the sale would present a threat to Russia's national security, as some of the Russian concern's products have military use. It is also seen by some Western observers as an answer to a disagreement with Western leaders over Russia's record on democracy and its treatment of former Soviet dominions during this week's celebrations in Moscow marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two.