The Media Mirror: what's in today's Russian newspapers?

Russian economy, which seems to be the only island of stability in world economic crisis, is the main issue of Russian press on Thursday.

ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA reports from the Russia Forum in Moscow. The paper says, many foreign investors decided to come to Moscow to see how things are shaping up with their own eyes. The publication continues to say that the atmosphere at the forum was definitely optimistic. The forum called Russia the most dynamic market in the world and one of the best destinations for investment. The article concludes: the praise from the Western colleagues must be taken with a measure of caution. Everyone loves growing economies. But History is littered with tales of 'Economic Tigers' left by international partners at the first signs of trouble.

VREMYA NOVOSTEI says inviting Vladimir Pozner as the Forum MC was a great idea. As in his TV show, there were many more people than seats. The paper also quotes Anatoly Chubais who said after criticizing the government for using budget funds for social security needs: “When I was Minister of Finance, I did the same…” But he added that after the election this course may become plainly suicidal.

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA says, at the Forum our domestic liberals – the Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and the Head of the state electricity company Anatoly Chubais attacked the overly aggressive Russian foreign policy. They said, a tough foreign policy course harms Russia’s economic interests and creates an additional threat – from a possible world economic crisis.

KOMMERSANT writes of Alan Greenspan’s judgment of the Russian economy, singing its praises and sounding a warning note. The paper says he appeared before the Forum in a holographic image akin to that of characters in the Star Wars movies. He said, the Russian Central bank should not maintain the low rate of the rouble for too long.

MOSKOVSKI KOMSOMOLETS quotes: Ivan Melnikov of the Central Committee of the Communist party of Russia: “The talk of this country as an island of stability is there only to boost Russia’s image abroad.” Vladimir Zhirinovski, presidential candidate: “Kudrin is lying in every word. But we won’t have an economic crisis anyway – we aren’t an economy yet…” Andrey Bogdanov, presidential candidate: “Stability is brought about by a multitude of successful small and medium businesses. So far we have only three thousand of those when Europe has three million.”