Posted on 12/20/2005 2:46:21 PM PST by sergey1973
Donald Evans, the former US Trade Secretary, got an offer from Vladimir Putin that, as the Russian President sincerely believed, he could not refuse. Really, Evans was offered the position of the Chairman of The Board at the oil company with the assets estimated at $58 billion. When you talk about such money and such career perspectives, Kremlin boss thought, the American should not worry that the oil giant is called "Rosneft". What's really all the fuss about that "Rosneft" shamelessly and with full support of the [Russian] executive power claimed and took over the most profitable "Yukos" company--"Yganskneftegaz" ?
That's why American was called on board--to improve "Rosneft" image. Next year Kremlin decided to sell its shares on the world stock exchanges. In order to do that, it does not help to have the reputation of the stolen property buyer. After successful "Gazprom" acquisition of the former German Chancellor Schroeder, Putin was sure that the retired American trade secretary was in his pocket. He was sure to such a degree, that he even forgot about his habits of secrecy giving out to the journalists information about the offer to Donald Evans. And got a slap on the face. American slept on it and decided to decline Putin's perks. Sorry, folks, I'm too attached to the family, and I can't find a needed time for such a giant oil company as "Rosneft". He also added, that his hands are tied by the obligations to his business partners.
I suspect that it wasn't the easiest decision Evans ever made in his life: he was contemplating on it for about a week. And the decisive factor was something that we [in Russia] think even to mention is the example of a complete naivete. I'm talking about such things as the desire to maintain one's reputation and the fear of public opinion. In the past few days, the world's most respected business newspapers gave Evans explicit warnings. "Say "No", Mr Evans," exclaimed British "Financial Times" in its editorial. The American "The Wall Street Journal" went even further, comparing Putin with Saddam Hussein, who bought off foreign officials and politicians with oil money. Also the newspaper mentioned the law prohibiting Americans from giving or receiving bribes while working abroad. "Although the job offers Mr. Putin made are not bribes in the original sense, they allow us to assume that Kremlin believes that it can openly buy the favorable treatment from the Western political and business elites", wrote "The Wall Street Journal". "Schroeder probably does not suffer pangs of consciousness being in that slick company, but we hope that Evans will show to the Kremlin that the former American cabinet officials are having higher moral standards".
So Evans did listen to these explicit recommendations. It looks like that in the next few weeks we may witness a very interesting experiment that Putin will be essentially pushed to conduct. If I read the Russian presidential mind correctly, it will become a question of honor for him to get a prominent and influential foreign official as the "Rosneft" chairman. By the way, such a figure must be no less important than Donald Evans. Only then Vladimir Vladimirovich can prove to himself and to his entourage that first, you can buy off any person and second, that the Russian President is the best man to do that kind of a job.
It's not inconceivable to assume that Putin will succeed in recruiting yet another VIP: people are weak, and he [Putin] is a brilliant manipulator. But what if he can't ? What if desire to keep one's political and business reputation will be stronger than oil money ? What if a candidate found will be too small fish ? Then I suspect Putin will have nothing else to do, but to convince himself and the others that it's yet another proof of the existing anti-Russian plot. Meanwhile in ten days, Russia should assume it's chairmanship of the "G8". Then the example of saying "Nyet" to Putin may become contagious.
I'm sure he could get Bill Clinton.
I nominate Bill Clinton for the job. He is highly intelligence and not a shred of moral fiber.
Thanks, interesting.
Good, not like that scumbag Schroeder.
"I'm sure he could get Bill Clinton."
Than Rosneft will have to pay hefty sum to settle Clinton new sexual scandals -:))))
I suspect some scandals would be settled for the cost of a bullet.
There must be plenty of former Clinton cabinet secretaries who wouldn't have any qualms about taking such a job. How about Norman Mineta? (Not that he was the worst of the lot, but he's the only one currently in a position to do harm to American homeland security.)
Rosneft will hire a staff of whores to keep the slick one busy.
Putin should call Clinton.
Given Underperformin' Norman's record we might be better off if he went to work for Putin.
Or Sandy Burgler. Then there is the thief from Ca. Cunningham?
The reply: You're putin me on!
There are some clever graphics in the discussion forum (click on "obsudit' na forume" at the bottom right of the Russian text)...#47 is by "Old Rocker" in English, with Evans telling Putin he doesn't want his blood money. #49 seems to be the same thing in Russian, except that the speakers have become Judas, Annas, and Caiaphas.
Precisely.
Don made the right choice.
Yes -:))) Thanks for pointing it out ! The guy on that forum called "Old Rocker" in post #47 rewrote a bit the Judas-Caiaphas song-dialogue from the rock-opera "Jesus Christ Superstar". Hillarious ! Then in post #49 he translated it to Russian after another guy in post #48 called "Plumber" (slesar') asked "Dear rocker, now [translate] for proletarians, please" -:))).
http://forum.ej.ru/index.php?a=showthread&threadID=77104&page=3
Evans:
- I don’t need your blood money!
Putin:
- Oh that doesn’t matter our expenses are good
Evans:
- I don’t want your blood money!
Sechin:
- But you might as well take it-we think that you should
Putin:
- Think of the things you can do with that money
Choose any charity-give to the poor
We’ve noted your motives-we’ve noted your feelings
This isn’t blood money-it’s a fee nothing
Fee nothing,fee nothing more
Russia PING ! I think folks you'd be interested in this article.
Clinton would be all over those russian women like white on rice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.