CBI wrote:How Russian Oil Tycoon Courted Friends in U.S.
By TIMOTHY L. O'BRIEN
Published: November 5, 2003
In early 2001, as George W. Bush's administration moved into the White House, one of Russia's wealthiest men, Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, sought a meeting with the new national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. According to a former staff member, National Security Council analysts were asked to perform a background check.
Mr. Khodorkovsky did not get the meeting — part of the tycoon's efforts to secure approval from the American establishment — because of "allegations of past business improprieties," the former staff member said, also noting that Mr. Khodorkovsky spent heavily in Washington to court the Capitol's inner circle.
But Mr. Khodorkovsky's steady efforts to win access to other influential Americans have paid off. Last July, he met with Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to discuss America's oil policy. Former President George H. W. Bush traveled to Russia in September and spoke at a dinner attended by Mr. Khodorkovsky.
That event prompted Moscow newspapers to speculate that the visit was part of an effort by American companies to secure a merger with Yukos Oil, where Mr. Khodorkovsky was chief executive until he quit on Monday in a swirl of fraud and embezzlement charges. His replacement, a Russian-born American, was confirmed yesterday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/05/inter ... KO.html?th
Каковы, а! Как они смели подозревать такого Пламенного Борца за Демократию, Диссидента с Большой Буквы, а теперь и Политического Заключенного в каких-то business improprieties! Да еще in early 2001! Тем более отказываться с ним встречаться! Это же просто конец американской демократии, новая индустриализация и подготовка к третьей мировой войне!
Славу богу, есть еще в Америке Настоящие Политики, такие как сенатор МакКейн. Только в их силах остановить это и, как правильно заметил interrupt, наказать Россиию. А заодно и администрацию США, предающую столь Пламенных Борцов за Демократию.