How Russian Oil Tycoon Courted Friends in U.S. - NYT [View All]

<http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/05/international/europe/05YUKO.html?th>

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.

(con't)
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Connections Connections Connections

And the GOP made such a big deal over Al Gore's fundraising with
the Buddist!!!!!
I'm glad Putin was smart enough to place this guy behind bars!!!

One less snake in the oil pit!!!!