Komsomolskaya Pravda: “Vladimir Putin: "The state and philanthropists must help geographers"”
Grants were awarded at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society (RGO).
The RGO meeting yesterday was opened by its President Sergei Shoigu, who gave the floor to the head of the RGO Board of Trustees Vladimir Putin. The prime minister began his speech by congratulating Komsomolskaya Pravda columnist Vasily Peskov.
"Vasily Peskov turned 80 yesterday," Mr Putin said. "He was planning on joining us today, but he is a little under the weather. We wish him a speedy recovery and we congratulate him on his birthday."
We have learnt that Mr Putin had prepared a gift for Mr Peskov. He will receive the gift as soon as he is well enough.
The prime minister became the head of the RGO Board of Trustees in 2009. At the time, he promised grants to scientists - 50 million roubles "for starters." The first eleven grants were awarded yesterday.
During his appearance at the meeting, prime minister singled out the problem of exploring Lake Baikal. He recalled the arguments around the Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant, "the subject of much talk and some speculation." "One should look into the matter without politicizing it, without howling, without fanfare, in a statesmanlike manner," the prime minister said. He reminded those present that he had visited Lake Baikal in the summer of 2009 and had asked the scientists about the impact of the plant on Baikal's ecology. The prime minister was told that there had been "no change for the worse."
Mr Putin noted that the plant provided a livelihood for 14,000 people. Plant owner Oleg Deripaska, who was present at the meeting, leaned forward to hear the prime minister's every word.
"Of course, the environment should be a high priority," the prime minister concluded. He reminded those present that when the oil pipeline was built, its route was shifted 400 km away from Lake Baikal. "It cost a lot of money, but there are no regrets," Mr Putin said. Among the other projects that received grants, Mr Putin singled out a project to protect the polar bear.
Seated in the centre of the hall were the businessmen who sit on the RGO Board of Trustees: Yevtushenkov, Usmanov, Potanin, Prokhorov and Alekperov.
Mr Putin noted that the RGO is a non-governmental organisation that is not funded by the federal government. "I looked at their programmes and the funding needed is miniscule," Mr Putin remarked.
"Helping explorers of our native land has always been regarded as an honorable act in Russia, and the names, for example, of Ryabushinsky and Sibiryakov, have gone down in history because they played an active role in the work of geographers. I hope that their example will inspire modern-day philanthropists," Mr Putin said.
It was also announced yesterday that an RGO-sponsored conference on the Arctic would take place in Moscow on April 23. Environmentalists, scientists and political analysts from other countries will be in attendance.
One of the grants awarded yesterday will finance a study of the Turkic peoples in Russia.
Larisa Kaftan
