Russia Min Hopes VimpelCom Tax Won't Hurt Co - Report

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)--Information Technology Minister Leonid Reiman said Wednesday he hopes "the discussions over taxes" between Russia's second-largest mobile operator OAO Vimpel Communications (VIP) and the tax authorities will not hurt the company, reports Prime-Tass.

Reiman said VimpelCom is "an effective and dynamic company" which should find a solution to the tax problems it is facing now.

VimpelCom has received a preliminary assessment for a back tax bill for about $14.7 million plus $6.2 million in fines and penalties for 2002, the company said in a statement earlier Wednesday.

Reiman said: "If the (tax) claims are based on facts, then the transgressions should be corrected."

The company has already received a preliminary tax assessment for 2001 totaling $157 million, including fines and accrued interest.

The deputy finance minister for tax affairs Sergei Shatalov has said the the claim may be reduced substantially.

News agency Web site: http://www.prime-tass.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 29th December 2004