STROYEV IS ARRANGING PUTIN’S VISIT TO SWITZERLAND
Izvestia, May 31, 2001, p. 7
A Russian parliamentary delegation led by Federation Council Chairman Yegor Stroyev is on a three-day visit to Switzerland. Stroyev’s schedule includes meetings with President of the Swiss Confederacy Moris Leenberger, chairman of the Council of Cantons, business leaders, and top officials of the Davos World Economic Forum. The RIA-Novosti news agency reports that Stroyev will also visit the UN European headquarters in Geneva.
Stroyev’s visit is also viewed as a stage in preparations for the visit of President Vladimir Putin to Switzerland, scheduled for late August.
GEORGE SOROS IS WITHDRAWING
Izvestia, May 31, 2001, p. 4
The foundations controlled by Soros have provided a total of $350 million in financial assistance to Russian science and education. Many researches and scientists owe their ability to continue their careers to Soros.
Soros had the Russian government’s promise to finance 50% of the sponsorship program. Unfortunately, Moscow did not keep its promises. Soros has already warned several times that this was one of the reasons he would terminate the project in 2002. Our sources are sure that neither Matvienko nor Filippov will be able to persuade the philanthropist to change his mind. This is Soros’ style. He provides help in a time of trouble, but strongly believes that people should eventually handle their own problems.
