Interros will not Purchase Blocking Stake in JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel
On December 21 Interros Holding, which represents Vladimir Potanin, announced that it would not buy the blocking stake in Norilsk Nickel from Onexim. Interros's refusal allowed the agreement between Onexim and UC RUSAL to come into effect. Under this agreement Mikhail Prokhorov is to receive around $9 billion and an 11% stake in UC RUSAL . The purchase by Oleg Deripaska of the blocking stake in Norilsk Nickel, is likely to lead to merger preparations for Norilsk Nickel and UC RUSAL , and the creation of the first Russian globally diversified metals and mining corporation. "This transaction might be of interest and beneficial for all shareholders; the main issue is the price and conditions", the head of Interros, Andrei Klishas, said. "There is an opinion in the market that this merger is to produce a synergy effect. You know that the price is always a primary issue. If the price of a merger is good, it is good for everyone", he added.
According to RUSAL 's press-release, the general director of UC RUSAL , Alexander Bulygin, said that he plans “to create Russia's first diversified global metals and mining company".
"Our company will join the ranks of the world's top five metals and mining giants which is to provide significant growth for the company's shareholders, and reinforce the international reputation of Russia as a strong industrial state", he said.

“First Publications: Museum Rarities” Project to
Receive Applications for the 2008
In 2001 Vladimir Potanin foundation and Interros launched its publishing programme. The aim of this project is to give Russian museums an opportunity to publish information on their exhibits, which being stored in the archives, have never had a chance to become public. However, these artworks have undeniable artistic, historic and scientific value. They deserve to be included in national and international cultural heritage.
By offering museum experts an opportunity to get involved in this project the Foundation and the Interros Publishing Programme expand the options for Russian museums to participate in the contest, “A Changing Museum in a Changing World”: all of the Contest’s participants regardless the year of their application are eligible for the “First Publication” Project in 2008.
The Project provides for two to five publications a year.
The books will be offered as corporate gifts, donated to libraries and museums and will be available at bookstores. The Project was launched in 2007 with Yegoryevsk History and Art Museum and Mikhail Vrubel Omsk Regional Arts Museum becoming its first winners.