Russ Oil-Gas

14.12.2005 9:41 [Neftegaz.ru] - Ex-German leader Gerhard Schroeder has rejected criticism of his holding a position of the shareholders commitee of North European Gas Pipeline Company, the joint venture of Russia's gas giant Gazprom? and two German firms, E.On and BASF. Mr Schroeder said he would be taking legal action after opposition politicians accused him of sleaze. He said the allegations against him are "nonsense" and announced that he was taking legal action - although he does not give any details about this. Politicians and the media have suggested there was a conflict of interest, with Mr Schroeder allegedly feathering his nest while acting in a public capacity.