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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Boss of BP Russia venture leaves | Boss of BP Russia venture leaves |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| BP has said the chief executive of its Russian joint venture TNK-BP has temporarily left Russia because of "sustained harassment". | BP has said the chief executive of its Russian joint venture TNK-BP has temporarily left Russia because of "sustained harassment". |
| Robert Dudley will run the company from outside the country and BP said that TNK-BP would operate as normal. | Robert Dudley will run the company from outside the country and BP said that TNK-BP would operate as normal. |
| This year TNK-BP has faced lawsuits, visa rows and industrial spying claims, as well as arguments over investment and the future role of Mr Dudley. | This year TNK-BP has faced lawsuits, visa rows and industrial spying claims, as well as arguments over investment and the future role of Mr Dudley. |
| The Russian shareholders said the claims of harassment were "insulting". | The Russian shareholders said the claims of harassment were "insulting". |
| They reiterated their call for a new chief executive. | They reiterated their call for a new chief executive. |
| Pressure | Pressure |
| Mr Dudley said he had decided to leave because of uncertainty surrounding his work visa and the "sustained harassment" of the company and himself. | Mr Dudley said he had decided to leave because of uncertainty surrounding his work visa and the "sustained harassment" of the company and himself. |
| AAR's efforts to wrest control of the company through illegitimate means are damaging the company Lord George RobertsonDeputy chairman, TNK-BP What lies behind the TNK-BP row | AAR's efforts to wrest control of the company through illegitimate means are damaging the company Lord George RobertsonDeputy chairman, TNK-BP What lies behind the TNK-BP row |
| He said that despite having a valid employment contract, he had been unable to obtain a work visa and a transit visa was due to expire on Sunday. | He said that despite having a valid employment contract, he had been unable to obtain a work visa and a transit visa was due to expire on Sunday. |
| "In addition..., the company and I have faced unprecedented investigations, proceedings, enquiries and other burdens," he said in a statement. | "In addition..., the company and I have faced unprecedented investigations, proceedings, enquiries and other burdens," he said in a statement. |
| Mr Dudley's visa has not been renewed on the grounds that he allegedly does not have a valid work contract. | Mr Dudley's visa has not been renewed on the grounds that he allegedly does not have a valid work contract. |
| He hoped his decision would mean the "administrative pressure" on the company would now ease. | He hoped his decision would mean the "administrative pressure" on the company would now ease. |
| 'Insulting' | 'Insulting' |
| BP owns 50% of the venture while the Russian shareholding is made up of a number of Russian billionaires who control a consortium known as Alfa Access Renova (AAR). | BP owns 50% of the venture while the Russian shareholding is made up of a number of Russian billionaires who control a consortium known as Alfa Access Renova (AAR). |
| On Thursday, AAR said that Mr Dudley's employment contract had run out in December and said that AAR had not interfered with the decisions of the Russian authorities on his work visa. | On Thursday, AAR said that Mr Dudley's employment contract had run out in December and said that AAR had not interfered with the decisions of the Russian authorities on his work visa. |
| Mr Dudley said the dispute had created unstable working conditions | Mr Dudley said the dispute had created unstable working conditions |
| It said the allegations of harassment were "deeply inappropriate and insulting". | It said the allegations of harassment were "deeply inappropriate and insulting". |
| Mikhail Fridman, one of the billionaire investors and TNK-BP's chairman, said that it was a "ridiculous notion that the company could be run by remote control from London". | Mikhail Fridman, one of the billionaire investors and TNK-BP's chairman, said that it was a "ridiculous notion that the company could be run by remote control from London". |
| "TNK-BP is an independent oil company in which BP is not a controlling shareholder," Mr Fridman said. | "TNK-BP is an independent oil company in which BP is not a controlling shareholder," Mr Fridman said. |
| "We continue to insist that BP nominate a new independent chief executive office who would be based in Moscow and manage TNK-BP in the interest of all shareholders." | "We continue to insist that BP nominate a new independent chief executive office who would be based in Moscow and manage TNK-BP in the interest of all shareholders." |
| The Russian investors have accused Mr Dudley of acting only in BP's interests. | The Russian investors have accused Mr Dudley of acting only in BP's interests. |
| AAR is also said to want higher dividend payments from the venture. | AAR is also said to want higher dividend payments from the venture. |
| Outrage | Outrage |
| BP executives expressed their outrage at what they called "an orchestrated campaign of harassment" in the increasingly bitter dispute. | BP executives expressed their outrage at what they called "an orchestrated campaign of harassment" in the increasingly bitter dispute. |
| On Tuesday, BP said it had pulled out its last 60 technical specialists from Russia, following 90 who had already left. | On Tuesday, BP said it had pulled out its last 60 technical specialists from Russia, following 90 who had already left. |
| Peter Sutherland, chairman of BP, said that AAR's actions were doing "enormous damage" to Russia's reputation as a place to do business. | Peter Sutherland, chairman of BP, said that AAR's actions were doing "enormous damage" to Russia's reputation as a place to do business. |
| "It saddens me that nowhere in our recent history have we been treated as we are currently being treated in Russia," he said. | "It saddens me that nowhere in our recent history have we been treated as we are currently being treated in Russia," he said. |
| "There has even been manipulation of elements of the Russian state as part of this campaign." | "There has even been manipulation of elements of the Russian state as part of this campaign." |
| Lord George Robertson, deputy chairman of TNK-BP, said that the behaviour of AAR was outrageous. | Lord George Robertson, deputy chairman of TNK-BP, said that the behaviour of AAR was outrageous. |
| "AAR's efforts to wrest control of the company through illegitimate means are damaging the company and, regrettably, Russia's reputation among international investors," he said. | "AAR's efforts to wrest control of the company through illegitimate means are damaging the company and, regrettably, Russia's reputation among international investors," he said. |