VimpelCom Deal Doubts

By The Moscow Times

Oct. 14, 2010

VimpelCom investor Alfa Group has not decided whether it wants the deal to acquire most of Naguib Sawiris’ telecoms assets to continue if the Algerian government nationalizes Orascom’s assets there, the Financial Times said Thursday, citing Alfa Group.

Telenor, the second-biggest shareholder, also has concerns about possible regulatory objections in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the newspaper reported.

An Algerian paper reported that the integration of Orascom’s Tunisian assets is also facing opposition from that country’s government.

The Tunisian ministry for technology and communications has asked Qatar Telecom to exercise its pre-emptive right to buy the 50 percent of operator Tunisiana that it doesn’t own, the report said.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

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 you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue