"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message
...
Neelix wrote in
:

Similarly, we keep hearing from US media how cash strapped Russia is
and that it won't be able to meet its commitments to the station. But
if you listen to the BBC, you'll find out that Russia is actually
doing quite well with the current oil boom, and that many western oil
companies are investing in Russia.

And if you listen to Russian media like Itar-TASS, Interfax, and RIA
Novosti, you'll find out that RSC Energia considers the current ISS
funding
situation "catastrophic". So whatever money Russia is making in the oil
boom, either RSC Energia isn't seeing any of it, or they're lying about
the
money they do get.

Well there is the small matter of the total privatisation of the Russian oil
reserves a few years ago as per World Bank instructions. Interestingly a
certain Roman Abravonvitch (new owner of Chelsea FC) seems to have bought
the lot, lock, stock and barrel from the government for around $140m. Not
bad for the world's largest reserves of oil?

I think that limits what the Russian state will see, but makes Roman a very
very rich young Russian with a very wealthy "family".

I'm not entirely sure that's what the World Bank had in mind...