Russian minister loses composure over "not roubles"

MOSCOW, July 28 (Reuters) Russia's Economy Minister German Gref had to be rescued by cabinet colleagues from breaking a taboo: using the word dollar.

Parliament is in the process of adopting a law that will fine ministers for saying ''dollar'' when they could have used ''rouble'' in a drive to restore pride in the national currency.

Briefing a televised cabinet meeting about new investment in the Siberian city of Tomsk yesterday, Gref said it was worth ''30 million ...'', and then hesitated and shuffled nervously through his notes before being prompted by a colleague.

Gref regained his composure and said: ''Seven hundred million roubles. Thank you.'' Laughing nervously, he added: ''Thirty million not roubles.'' Reuters DKA DB1000