Rusal To Vote Against Strzhalkovsky For Norilsk Nickel CEO

MOSCOW, Aug 07, 2008 (Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex)-- Russia's United Co. Rusal Thursday said it wouldn't support Vladimir Strzhalkovsky's candidacy to become the chief executive of miner OAO Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.RS). Rusal, which owns just over 25% of Norilsk, said in a statement that it "believes the practice of frequently replacing the CEO and appointing people who have nothing to do with the metals and mining sector or any experience of managing a large industrial company...contradicts the principles of corporate governance and inflicts severe economic and reputational damage on the company and its shareholders." ZAO Interros, which has around 30% of Norilsk, had proposed Strzhalkovsky, who currently heads Russia's state tourism agency.