REPORTS OF RUSSIA'S ALLEGED ORDER FOR BEEF FROM GERMANY HAVE BEEN REFUTED








MOSCOW, MARCH 12, 2001. /RIA Novosti Correspondent Nikolai Venediktov/. In his interview with RIA Novosti, Nikolai Volodin, Chairman of the Federation Council Commission for technical and humanitarian aid and Chairman of the Orel Regional Council of People's Deputies, described as "sheer nonsense" all the reports, which were spread by some media alleging that an order had been placed with Germany for a large consignment of beef.


	Volodin is also member of the government commission for technical and humanitarian aid which Vice-Premier Valentina Matviyenko heads. However, he stressed, no mention has ever been made of any beef purchases from Germany either in the Upper Chamber of Parliament or in the government commission.