"With regard to the mass media reports on the proposal to elect Yevgeny Shvidler, representative of Sibneft company, to the position of the board chairman, I officially state that this proposal has not been made by the major shareholders", reads Mr. Khodorkovsky's statement.
In his opinion, this position should be assumed by a state representative. "In the current situation I believe it is preferable to see a state representative on this post", Mr. Khodorkovsky points out.
At a press conference on Thursday, YUKOS' board chairman Victor Gerashchenko did not rule out the possibility that the oil company's shareholders were negotiating on appointing Sibneft's head Yevgeny Shvidler chairman of YUKOS' board of directors.
"YUKOS is not aware of any negotiations with Mr. Shvidler, however, it can not be ruled out", said Mr. Gerashchenko adding that, perhaps, the negotiations were held by the company's shareholders.
"I believe that the company's board of directors and management are doing their best to settle the situation around the company", said Mr. Gerashchenko.
At the same time, YUKOS' CEO Steven Theede referred to this information (on probable appointment of Mr. Shvidler to the position of the chairman of the company's board of directors) as rumors.
"These rumors are permanently going about, and I do not know how serious they are," he said.
