1 Exhibit 17.1 Letter on Director Resignation from Oleg Batratchenko - -------------- BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, INC. 551 Fifth Avenue Suite 605 o New York, NY 10017 Tel: 212-681-7007 o Fax: 212-681-7491 E-Mail; berkshire@growth.com o Internet:HTTP://www.growth.com To: All Board Members and Management of SeQuester From: Oleg Batratchenko Date: May 16, 1997 Gentlemen, Given my substantially increased workload as the Vice President of Research of Berkshire International Finance, Inc., I will no longer be able to fulfill the obligation of Director of SeQuester. Please consider my resignation from SeQuester's board final and immediate. Thank you. /s/ Oleg Batratchenko