Russ Oil-Gas

05-05-2006 Kommersant - Russian gas monopolist Gazprom appointed Israeli former Defense Minister Amos Yaron a special adviser at talks on Russian gas supplies to Israel yesterday, Bloomberg reported quoting Ma'ariv as saying. The Israeli newspaper also reported that Gazprom is in talks with Benny Steinmetz, an Israeli businessman, on strategic partnership on the country's market. Among other things, Mr. Steinmetz owns South-African Bateman Engineering NV that operates in Russia. Gazprom earlier said that it was negotiating a share in the final stage of the construction of the Novo-Urengoysky Gas and Chemical Complex with Bateman. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated in March that Gazprom and Israeli officials can find an agreement on the supply of Russian gas via Turkey to Israel as early as next year.