Russia
Focus
Siberian Surprise
Region holds
BEYOND
the key to Russia’s
foreign relations
THE HEADLINES
P.05
US Edition
Feeding Foreign A Former NHL
Distributed with
the World Relations Coach in Russia
This pull-out is produced and published
Unspoiled lands NATO and Russia to Barry Smith
by Rossiyskaya Gazeta (Russia) and did not involve could be a solution to renew constructive discusses his new
the news or editorial departments of The Washington Post
the food shortage dialogue coaching job
Wednesday
March 26, 2008
P.03 P.06 P.08
Vox Populi Wide-ranging poll finds beauty is more than skin deep
U.S.-Russia Council
Celebrates 15 Years
Russians on the The U.S.-Russia Business felt that foreign investment
Council has promoted trade was welcome in Russia, and I
Meaning of Beauty
and investment between the think the awarding of the
two countries through a series Order of Friendship was rec-
of tumultuous events - from ognition that U.S. investment
financial crises to changes has played a very positive and
of power - that describe important role in the develop-
Russia’s recent history. As ment of Russia’s economy,”
Expert, one of Russia’s ers, fashion designers and 1,227 votes. Film and televi- the Council celebrates its said Lawson.
leading business weeklies, even cosmetic surgeons – to sion stars Olga Budina, with 15th anniversary, President Indeed, foreign direct in-
collaborated with the name Russia’s most beauti- 1,155, and Olga Fadeyeva, Eugene K. Lawson spoke to vestment in Russia reached
magazine Russky Reporter ful women. The experts came with 1,140, came next. RBTH. $27.8 billion in 2007. Follow-
and sociologists from two up with a list of 97. Then The study took into account ing a bilateral agreement on
independent think tanks to hold 3,000 “ordinary” representa- what beauty pageants fail to
SVETLANA ZLOBINA
Russia’s admission to the
the country’s most extensive tives were selected from all find: characteristics that WASHINGTON World Trade Organization,
opinion poll on female beauty across Russia. dominate public perception and recognition of Russia as
Each was shown 20 of the about a person even more Lawson was recently award- a market economy, U.S.-Rus-
MIKHAIL YURYEV / RBTH
97 photographs, with every than their looks. Apparently, ed the Order of Friendship, the sia trade has more than dou-
MOSCOW shot shown to an equal num- intellect, talent, kindness, highest award bestowed to a bled since 2001, reaching over
ber of people. The top 20 were courage, taste and style mat- foreign citizen, by President $25 billion in 2007.
Russia is known for its assessed by another 1,500 “or- ter more than a pretty face Vladimir Putin for his efforts
beautiful women, so it was just dinary” people in the semi- and seductive body. Charm at the Council. “I have always CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
the place to carry out a study finals, who decided on 10 fi- matters most.
-
on the subject. The country nalists.
was one of the first to create Alina Kabayeva, Olympic Find out more about the
a national rating of its most and world champion in rhyth- beauty opinion poll on
beautiful women. This time, mic gymnastics, won with www.rbth.rg.ru In this issue
however, researchers chose to
examine public opinion on
Cars: Renault Takes on
what beauty actually means.
Olga Budina, actress
When the Iron Curtain fell,
Russia embraced beauty con-
Modernizing Lada
tests, which were already com-
monplace in the West. Public In March, car giant Renault- own factories in Russia. Rus-
enthusiasm swiftly ebbed,
PERSONASTARS.COM
Nissan bought a 25 percent sia intends to continue pro-
however, under the sheer stake in AvtoVAZ, Russia’s ducing Ladas, the main Av-
number of contests. In the new leading carmaker, for $1.2 bil- toVAZ brand, on the platform
free-market environment, lion. of Renault’s most profitable
every modeling agency, major The deal, the final step in car, the Logan.
company and glossy magazine building a trilateral alliance, AvtoVAZ had been look-
could – and, often, did – ar- has made Renault-Nissan- ing for a foreign partner to
range its own beauty pageants. AvtoVAZ the world’s third streamline and modernize its
Furthermore, the public ideal largest carmaker after Toy- production for nearly 10
of beauty, which had never ota and GM. The alliance will years. It considered Italy’s
before been studied, often ran have the capacity to produce Fiat and America’s GM, and
counter to the standards set
Olga Fadeeva,
up to seven million cars a planned to produce S Class
by show business.
actress
year. Ladas jointly with the Ca-
This most recent study con- The acquisition has made nadian concern Magna be-
sisted of three stages. First,
Alina Kabayeva
Renault a strategic partner of fore finally opting for coop-
sociologists chose 40 experts AvtoVAZ, which has been eration with Renault.
– film and television produc- struggling since the govern-
DRAWING BY ANDREY SHIMARSKY
ment lifted import duties on
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
VIKTOR VASENIN_RG car components, and interna- THE RUSSIAN AUTOMOBILE
tional giants have set up their
INDUSTRY, TURN TO PAGE 2
What can Russians Expect
Dmitry Medvedev has been been political and economic The social and economic
elected the new President of stability. plans Putin and Medvedev set
What should the next president’s
from the New President?
Russia. The news did not For Russians, who in the 10 forth in February are massive
priorities be?
exactly steal headlines even years before Putin and ambitious. Will the new
when the returns of the March experienced chaos, crises, President be able to
Experts Take a
2 elections were published. and the collapse of social implement them?
Ever since Vladimir Putin systems, the President’s main How big will the internal and
threw his weight behind achievement has been to external challenges he will
Peek into their
Medvedev’s candidacy, the provide stability and a chance have to confront in the early
outcome was a foregone to pause for breath and pull months of his tenure be?
conclusion. The outgoing themselves together. But Leading Russian experts try to
Crystal Balls
President’s authority in stability that lasts too long answer these questions in
Russia is indisputable. The can easily become this issue of Russia Beyond
hallmark of Putin’s rule has stagnation. the Headlines.
INFOGRAPHICA RIA NOVOSTI , WWW.VISUALRIAN.RU
What does
No one could occupy Vladimir Putin’s office without his Granted, “personal chemistry” is important, but Putin also and to have done everything to rule out any risks of political
endorsement. His high approval rating and top-down vertical had to heed political arguments. instability.
Medvedev
power structure necessitate the former president’s backing. Medvedev’s words about democracy (“either it exists or That said, one should not expect Medvedev to do anything
It is fair to assume that Putin considered more choices than it doesn’t”) were not lost on Putin. Nor his criticism of “state dramatic. The change is likely to be more in style rather than
Represent?
just Medvedev before choosing his successor. The Presi- capitalism” and his “freedom is better than non-freedom,” substance. Caution is the feature of the new President’s po-
dent could not fail to hear the names of various candidates which earned him the reputation of a liberal, especially litical style. Observers note, for example, the careful way in
and short lists coming from every side. Behind these calls abroad. which he carried out the liberalization of Gazprom shares.
were personal interests and far-from-uniform views on the Putin probably sensed it was time, if not to change course, Will Putin’s plan work? It will depend on his ability to build a
VITALY DYMARSKY
course post-Putin Russia should take. to at least make some adjustments, and shift the political system of checks and balances to keep Medvedev safely
So why has Putin chosen Medvedev? emphasis from power, his preoccupation over the past four away from conflicting lobby groups. And it will also depend
JOURNALIST
Putin recently spoke about the managerial skills his succes- years, to liberalism. Not too liberal, but enough to allay fears, on Medvedev’s persistence and leadership in pursuit of na-
sor gained working in the administration and government, both inside and outside the country, about an “unraveling tional goals at this new stage in Russia’s development.
and about his personal qualities (“honest and decent,” “pro- of liberal reforms.” He reached this conclusion because
gressive, modern and with an excellent background”). He his own political agenda has been exhausted. The authori-
FOR OPINIONS ON THE ECONOMY, BUSINESS AND
also referred to the “personal chemistry” between them. ties seem to have overcome the fear of a “color revolution”
FOREIGN POLICY SEE PAGES 3 and 6
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