Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is a multi-millionaire businessman, conservationist, head of the World Chess Federation, and current president of the Tibetan-style Buddhist/Russian Republic of Kalmykia on the northwest shore of the Caspian Sea. He also claims that he was abducted by space aliens. Naturally, a Russian MP wants Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to
I met President Kirsan several times in 1997 when the Indonesian energy company I worked for was looking for hydrocarbons in Kalmykia (nothing worth investing in, alas). He is extremely intelligent and motivated to help his country. I see no reason why he would generate anything like a hoax as he has nothing to gain from it but scorn and ridicule.
Note that the secret police were reported to have grilled him in Moscow following the report of this encounter, to see whether he might have spilled any "official secrets". That reveals how seriously the Russians take this matter, which in the West is laughed off.
I met President Kirsan several times in 1997 when the Indonesian energy company I worked for was looking for hydrocarbons in Kalmykia (nothing worth investing in, alas). He is extremely intelligent and motivated to help his country. I see no reason why he would generate anything like a hoax as he has nothing to gain from it but scorn and ridicule.
Note that the secret police were reported to have grilled him in Moscow following the report of this encounter, to see whether he might have spilled any "official secrets". That reveals how seriously the Russians take this matter, which in the West is laughed off.
I met President Kirsan several times in 1997 when the Indonesian energy company I worked for was looking for hydrocarbons in Kalmykia (nothing worth investing in, alas). He is extremely intelligent and motivated to help his country. I see no reason why he would generate anything like a hoax as he has nothing to gain from it but scorn and ridicule.
Note that the secret police were reported to have grilled him in Moscow following the report of this encounter, to see whether he might have spilled any "official secrets". That reveals how seriously the Russians take this matter, which in the West is laughed off.
I met President Kirsan several times in 1997 when the Indonesian energy company I worked for was looking for hydrocarbons in Kalmykia (nothing worth investing in, alas). He is extremely intelligent and motivated to help his country. I see no reason why he would generate anything like a hoax as he has nothing to gain from it but scorn and ridicule.
Note that the secret police were reported to have grilled him in Moscow following the report of this encounter, to see whether he might have spilled any "official secrets". That reveals how seriously the Russians take this matter, which in the West is laughed off.