"Rep. Markey Seeks Immediate Review Of BP-Rosneft"

"Representative Edward Markey on Thursday asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to launch an immediate investigation into a $16 billion share-swap plan between BP and state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft.

In a letter to Geithner, Markey, a leading House Democrat on energy and environmental issues, cited "several" national security concerns over the deal.

'I believe that there is clearly sufficient evidence that this deal may pose an unacceptable threat to U.S. national security,' he said in asking Treasury's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to conduct the probe."

Richard Cowan reports for Reuters January 21, 2011.

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"BP’s Exploration Plans in the Arctic of Russia Draw Opposition From Partners" (New York Times)