RF, Morocco FMs to discuss Gaza, Iran, econ coop'n.

MOSCOW, June 16 (Itar-Tass) - The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of
Russia and Morocco, Sergei Lavrov and Tayeb Fassi-Fihri, meet here on
Wednesday to discuss the situation around Gaza, the Iran issue, as well as
expansion of bilateral economic cooperation.
The Moroccan side has been traditionally playing an important role in
the process of settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The two
Ministers are expected to exchange opinions about the situation around
Gaza, the recent developments concerning the Freedom Flotilla, in
particular, and also discuss ways to defusing the Palestinian-Israeli
crisis.
The two Ministers are also to touch upon Iran's nuclear problem which
is now actively discussed by the world community at all levels.
As regards bilateral partnership, Sergei Lavrov and Tayeb Fassi-Fihri
will consider prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of
fisheries. Recently the sides signed an intergovernmental agreement on
terms for fisheries in the Atlantic portion of Morocco's exclusive
economic zone. The Agreement provides for permanent stay of ten Russian
large-tonnage fishing boats there.
Morocco is also interested in an increase in the scope of deliveries
of Russian wheat and in the export of Moroccan citrus fruits and
vegetables to the Russian Federation. Every year Morocco imports 2-3.5
million tonnes of grain. Last year the deliveries of Russian wheat to
Morocco amounted to only 65,000 tonnes, whereas Russia exported over five
million tonnes of wheat to Egypt.
Expert opinion is that on the whole Morocco is one of Russia's leading
and promising trading partners in the region. A new term appeared in the
world economy parlance recently, the "African Lions", which applies to a
group of eight most dynamically developing African countries whose
companies rapidly turn into powerful players in the global economy. The
group comprises Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco,
Tunisia, and South Africa.
By a number of economic indicators, they are comparable to the BRIC
group of countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), which are
recognized as leaders of the new global economy.

.Bolshoi to pay last respects to singer Yevgeny Raikov Wed.

MOSCOW, June 16 (Itar-Tass) - The Bolshoi Theatre on Wednesday pays
last respects to eminent singer, People's Artiste of the USSR Yevgeny
Raikov.
Civil funeral rites are to begin in the Bolshoi's Atrium at eleven
a.m.. Raikov is to be buried at the Troyekurovo Cemetery.
Raikov has been working in the Bolshoi since 1961. The future soloist
of the renowned troupe underwent advanced training at Milan's La Scala. It
is little known, however, that he had come to the theatrical stage "from
behind the scenes": he had worked as a joiner, freight handler, and
electric welder. However, in the end, he brought all his skills to the
altar of singing, entered the Gnessiny musical pedagogical school, and,
when a third-year student, was admitted by competitive examination to the
Bolshoi's trainee group.
While at Bolshoi, the actor sang practically all the leading tenor
parts of the world repertory: the operas Eugene Onegin, Aida, Prince Igor,
Flying Dutchman, Sadko, Faust, the War and Peace, and Tsarist Bride, and
in many other operas of Russian, Soviet, and foreign composers. The singer
made a brilliant career in Bolshoi, where he also headed the opera troupe
from1990 to 1994.
Yevgeny Raikov died on June 11 at the age of 73 after a prolonged
serious illness.

.St Pete sci community to discuss Skolkovo prospects.

ST PETERSBURG, June 16 (Itar-Tass) - Prospects for the implementation
of the "Innograd Skolkovo" project are to be discussed here on Wednesday
at the Engineering section of the St Petersburg Union of Scientists under
the chairmanship of Nobel Prize Winner, Academician Zhores Alfyorov.
The discussion, involving the working group on the construction of
innovative science city Skolkovo, representatives of the Russian Academy
of Sciences, the Alfyorov Foundation, veture funds, and members of the
business community, will be held ahead of the opening of the Petersburg
international economic forum, Lev Borkin, Co-Chairman of the Coordinating
Council of the St Petersburg Union of Scientists, has told Itar-Tass.
Borkin specified that those present would devote special attention to
"the formation of a transparent system for a multi-stage scientific expert
examination of high-technology projects".
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