Jim Inhofe: “Russia's weak rule of law is bad for the people of Russia, of course, but it also harms American citizens. As Congress…”

“Russia's weak rule of law is bad for the people of Russia, of course, but it also harms American citizens. As Congress considers legislation directed at strengthening human rights and the rule of law in Russia, we also should address the economic impact on Americans, including those Americans who are owed $12 billion when Yukos Oil, in which they held 15 percent of its stock, was expropriated by the Russia Government. To date, none of the American owners of Yukos caught up in Russia's renationalization of this company has received any compensation for this unlawful taking. And without a bilateral investment treaty, BIT, with Russia, the only recourse available to U.S. investors is for our State Department to espouse the case of its wronged citizens. I support this course of action, and I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a letter I wrote with Senator Scott Brown to Secretary Clinton last October 27, 2011, that addresses this issue. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, October 27, 2011. Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, Department of State, C Street, NW., Washington, DC. Dear Madam Secretary: We are writing to ask that you seek compensation from Russia on behalf of hundreds of thousands of U.S. investors who have lost approximately $12 billion as a result of Russia's expropriation of Yukos Oil Company.…”