"Bill, I've been a reader of your blog for a while. Your ‘love from Russia' posting, and the recent activity in NDOL.PK (unsolicited offer from a mystery entity, OTC BB listing, then merger talks) made me think about that country. I'm not sure how financially sound Russia is, but this article does raise an interesting point: the new ruling elite, left out of the first wave of privatization, is now trying to get rich by getting in on the current natural resources boom. To me it seems that the SZNG/NDOL deal is part of this effort by Putin & co. -- having dealt with Yukos' Mr. Khodorkovsky in a true KGB way, they helped a couple of oil companies get Yukos' fields and will now use acquisitions, partnerships, etc. as an exit strategy or to legalize their holdings and enjoy watching the share prices rise.

If I were a betting man, I'd say it's very unlikely that these companies will go the way of either their bolivian brethren or of Yukos, at least as long as Putin's team is among the owners./Péter"

Ah, the smell of money. It might not be the people of Russia who are so enthralled with capitalism; but their leaders.

Money, Money. Money.