Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman, House Press Secretary (907) 258-8164
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Press Secretary (907) 258-8184
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
Anchorage, AK 99501-2133
web site = http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Alaska Legislators Share Ideas with Sakhalin Duma Members

Government to Government Workgroups Launch "Our Future Together"

For Immediate Release: September 30, 1997 Contact: Ken Freeman (907) 258-8164

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, (Russian Far East) - Alaska Legislators met with Sakhalin Duma Officials Tuesday in small working groups to share ways in which Alaska's government has worked with business to create a stable and healthy economic climate that best serves both entities.

Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Gail Phillips set the stage for a co-operative and productive day by first presenting Sakhalin Duma leaders with a complete set of Alaska State Statutes. Alaska's laws will assist Sakhalin Duma members as they begin to build a legislative framework for a free market economy.

After introductions of all government members from both Alaska and Sakhalin, government officials divided into working groups to discuss the development of oil and gas legislation, a judicial system, standard business practices, health and environmental protection and royalty and severance tax policies. Another major area discussed was arbitration and dispute resolution.

Miller and Phillips presented an international arbitration/dispute resolution system, translated into Russian, to members of the Duma. With participation from the Russian federal and regional governments, this system can help stabilize the business climate by giving more confidence to Alaskan investors involved in joint ventures with Russian companies.

"Sakhalin has the same climate and much of the same environmental concerns as Alaska does when it comes to resource development. It is very important that Alaska gets its foot in the door with government leaders from Sakhalin -- showing them how government can work with business to create a win win situation for everyone," said Senator Miller.

"We are exploring and working with our counterparts in Sakhalin's government on those issues we feel will make business between Alaska and Sakhalin easier. We discussed public land issues and how to assess royalty taxes," Phillips said. "In addition to the working sessions, we were able to introduce our Alaskan delegation business participants with the appropriate people in Sakhalin to start negotiating and start working on specific projects."

In a joint press conference Tuesday evening with Alaska legislators and Sakhalin Duma members, Phillips said Sakhalin today is where Alaska was twenty-five years ago in the development of its oil and gas industry. "We hope we can offer the hand of friendship to the Sakhalin government. By building a future together, we create mutually beneficial economic opportunities for Alaska and Sakhalin," said Phillips.

Broadcast Note: Radio actualities are available from Miller and Phillips from Sakhalin, Russian by calling (800) 478-6540.
= Mike Miller, 143 K (original recording's audio quality is poor)
= Gail Phillips, 110 K