Putin calls Finland to make exception for Russian babushka.

LAPPEENRANTA, May 28 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin, who is on an official visit to Finland, called on Helsinki to make
an exception and not deport an elderly and disabled Russian woman.
Putin said on Thursday he would discuss the issue "without any
pressure" with his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen.
Finland intends to deport Irina Antonova, 82, to Russia on June 3. Her
daughter Natalya, who is married a Finn, took her wheelchair-bound mother
to Helsinki two years ago through a guest visa which expired.
"The talk is about a disabled person facing deportation. There are
things which we call humanitarian problems. The Finnish doctors say the
babushka may not survive the journey home. Definitely, there shall be
certain exceptions," Putin said adding "such cases should not deteriorate
bilateral relations".
The Russian prime minister agreed the issue was not simple, because if
Antonova received a residence permit she would be entitled to monthly
allowance and free medical care.
"It is a practical issue for any country and Finland is no exception,"
Putin said, adding the problem is in "budget spending" and hinting Russia
may help.
"Let's think about certain mutual obligations. I can say that if the
family raises the issue before us about a normal stay of the woman in
Russia, we shall arrange for it," Putin said, adding "a human being shall
be at the head of any state policy."
On the eve of Putin's visit Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb
said deportation legislation could change. He said common sense and
humanitarian approach should be adopted to allow grandmothers facing
deportation to stay in the country, but no pressure was acceptable.
"No official or politician should bend to Russian pressure. Finland is
a state governed by law which we uphold regardless of what the Russian
media say," he stressed.
A bill to amend current deportation laws will be submitted to the
Finnish parliament next autumn.