- France: the French government has given the go-ahead to the privatisation of the AIR France airlines, still 54.4% controlled by the State. The government intends to reduce this to "a little less than a 20% stake in the company" by the end of the year or at the beginning of next year by the latest. The company is currently valued at EUR 3 bn of which EUR 1.64 is owned by the State. - Italy: the Italian Minister for the Economy has published an appeal for tender for the sale of the State-owned tobacco department ETI - ENTE TABACCHI ITALIANI (EUR 650 million turnover in 2001) for which it hopes to earn between EUR 1.2 bn and 1.3 bn in revenue. Among the companies expressing an interest, is a consortium of Italian businessmen which includes investors such as Brescia, Benetton, De Agostini publishers and the food industry company Star, as well as the French-Spanish company ALTADIS and BAT - BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO. - Russia: the Russian Prime Minister Mikhaïl Kassianov intends to launch a wave of privatisations in 2003. The State intends to sell off 25% of the long-distance telecom giant SVIAZINVEST, 5.3% of SLAVNEFT and 17.8% of the MMK metalworks. - Czech Republic: the Czech government is going to sell off its 51% share in CESKY TELECOM a consortium led by DEUTSCHE BANK, for around 55 bn Czech Krona.