Members of the democratic youth movement Mi (We) picket in front of the office of the British Council in Moscow January 26, 2008. The slogan reads: "Medved, return the British Council!"
Photo: Reuters
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Russia’s Elite Urges Putin to Re-Open British Council Offices
Russia’s graduates of Britain’s universities have addressed President Vladimir Putin, requesting him to revive the British Council’s offices in the country. In the open letter signed by more than 150, Russia’s elite cautions that closing these offices “is injuring Russia’s image” and “is a blow to interests of millions of Russians.”
The letter was sent to the Kremlin past week. It also reminds that over a million Russians benefited from the British Council’s services in the past two years.
NTV correspondent Andrei Shilov, who was once the student of Bristol University, said the offices were closed for the purpose of intimidation and the basic idea is that Russia was surrounded by enemies, and their number is great and growing.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry demanded past December to suspend the work of the British Council’s offices in the country, giving non-compliance with the RF and international laws as the key reason. British cultural centers, however, resumed their activities after New Year, but only to be ultimately shut down in the wake of the protest note of Russia. Law defenders attempted to appeal the suspension in courts, to no avail though.
www.kommersant.com
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