German utility RWE AG (RWE.XE) still wants to fully divest its U.S. water unit American Water Works Co. (AWK), Chief Financial Officer Rolf Pohlig told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting in Essen Wednesday.

Pohlig didn't say when a complete divestment of American Water will likely be concluded. He did, however, say that RWE in 2009 plans to sell as many shares as necessary that will allow the deconsolidation of the business.

Originally, the company had planned to reduce its stake to below 50% before the end of 2008, but the deterioration of stock markets due to the financial crisis shot down RWE's plans.

RWE sold a 39.5% stake in American Water in an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in early 2007.

It still owns around 60% in American Water.

Company Web site: www.rwe.com

-By Jan Hromadko, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 69 29 725 503; jan.hromadko@dowjones.com