Interfax quoted informed sources as saying Polevanov had told Yeltsin about "the need to nationalize the fuel sector and aluminum industry."
Polevanov frightened Western investors with comments late last year and early this year that firms in the two sectors could be nationalized. RIA news agency said Wednesday that Yeltsin had admonished him for the comments.
Interfax said Polevanov had also written to Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, saying Russia should "refrain from forcing through the second phase of privatization."
One proposal Interfax said Polevanov had made to Chernomyrdin was that a commission should be set up to "analyze and make good the miscalculations which occurred in strategic industries, especially defense, space, aviation and maritime ports."
Polevanov shocked foreign investors this month when he barred Western advisers and their Russian employees from entering his ministry to protect national secrets.
Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin, apparently trying to allay investor fears, issued a statement Tuesday reaffirming a commitment to privatization.
Interfax quoted government sources as saying Polevanov, appointed privatization chief Nov. 15 last year, met Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin on Monday. It said Chernomyrdin had suggested that Polevanov should resign as head of privatization but remain a member of the government.
Interfax said Thursday that Russian parliamentary experts were working on a new draft law defining which Russian property can be nationalized. The law will also indicate where former owners can get compensation for losses incurred due to nationalization, Interfax said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.