Yukos Shareholders Press Presidential Candidates

For Immediate Release
January 4, 2008
Contact: Michael C. Hotra
mhotra@apcoworldwide.com

YUKOS SHAREHOLDERS URGE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO SPEAK OUT ON RUSSIA

Manchester, NH – In a full page advertisement in today's New Hampshire Union Leader, American shareholders in the former Russian energy company Yukos today urged the Presidential candidates of both parties to speak out about how they will hold the Russian government accountable for its actions on a wide variety of subjects, including human rights, energy policy, freedom of the press, and national security.

"We are speaking out not simply because we lost money when our Yukos shares were confiscated by the Russian government, said shareholder Maxwell Van De Velde, who lost more than $16,000. We are speaking out because the reasons that we lost money in Yukos should concern all Americans."

"The Russian government has confiscated our assets, but it has also arrested dissenters, stifled the voice of the independent media, and used its energy policy as an instrument to bully and intimidate its neighbors. We think our next President should show Russia that there are consequences for its actions," said shareholder Ed Donahue, who lost more than $40,000.

Next week, the Yukos Minority Shareholder Coalition will write to each of the Presidential campaigns asking each candidate to explain how he or she intends to hold the Russian Government responsible for its actions on these and other issues.

"We believe that voters need to understand the candidates' views on Russia, and we intend to remain a part of the dialogue on this important subject through the general election in November," said VanDeVelde.

Information available here: www.yukosshareholdercoalition.com

View the advertisement here