M O S C O W, Oct. 16 

Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin demanded a formal apology today from Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush for accusing him of stealing IMF money; he also threatened to sue.

Bush, who in last weeks campaign debate attacked Vice President Al Gore over the Democratic administrations ties with Russia, said some money lent to Russia by the International Monetary Fund had ended up in Viktor Chernomyrdins pockets. Such statements are not only damaging but they are also dangerous to the public, Chernomyrdin told a news conference. That is why I insist on a public apology. I am sure you [Bush] will present it immediately, he said. Otherwise I will have to defend my honor in court. No Bush Fan Chernomyrdin, who has called Bush an irresponsible politician, said the governor was well aware his remarks were also liable to affect Washingtons relations with Moscow. He knows that for the sake of his ambitions he is putting at risk future relations between the United States and Russia, two nuclear superpowers with a special responsibility for world security, he said.

The IMF lent money to Russia throughout the 1990s, but most accusations that some IMF money may have been stolen have surrounded $4.8 billion in loans made in the summer of 1998, several months after Chernomyrdin was sacked as premier.

The IMF has repeatedly denied that any of the money it lent to Moscow was misappropriated by the Russians, though officials are still investigating whether some of the money was siphoned off via Swiss banks accounts.

Chief IMF spokesman Tom Dawson has said he was not aware of any evidence to support Bushs allegation against Chernomyrdin. But some Republicans and other critics have suggested that since it is difficult to trace money once it reaches Russia, the IMF should have been more vigilant about corruption generally, even if IMF money was not specifically diverted.

The Bush campaign has stood by the Texas governors statements, saying Chernomyrdin, a former head of natural gas monopoly Gazprom, made a fortune in personal profits in the Russian oil and gas business while in the cabinet.

A spokesman for Bush has said the industry has benefited greatly from foreign aid, including aid from the IMF. Chernomyrdin has denied having made a fortune out of his connections with Gazprom.

-- cin (cin@=0.)), October 16, 2000

Answers

LMAO

I hope Chernomyrdin sues that fucking brainless Shrub for every penny he's got. If this man becomes president we're gonna have to wire his mouth shut in the interest of National Security.

-- (shrub is @ an. idiot), October 16, 2000.

I read about this one before LV, Cin, but if I posted everything from the political sites I visit, I'd fill the forum. Of course there's also the image I seem to have of being a left-wing Pinko-Commie.

I wanted to tell you that I was sorry I missed you on Sunday morning. I was up and ready to roll by 7am, but it was just me and the dogs and birds, so I brushed the old dog and talked to the birds until I grew tired again and went back to bed. Thanks for the help on my food. You really are a very nice woman, and I hope to be able to spend more time with you in the future IRL.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), October 17, 2000.

Can't think of a better reason to vote for Bush than that the Russian oligarchs don't like him, except maybe that the Chinese oligarchs don't like him either.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), October 17, 2000.

"The Bush campaign has stood by the Texas governors statements, saying Chernomyrdin, a former head of natural gas monopoly Gazprom, made a fortune in personal profits in the Russian oil and gas business while in the cabinet.

A spokesman for Bush has said the industry has benefited greatly from foreign aid, including aid from the IMF. Chernomyrdin has denied having made a fortune out of his connections with Gazprom."

Bush is just jealous because the IMF doesn't give any money to the American Oil Industry that he and his sleazebag friends are involved in. That is his #1 priority as soon as he gets in the big seat. He wasn't lying when he said he was gonna give tax cuts... tax cuts for huge oil corporations.

-- (shrubby@the.sleazy.weasel), October 17, 2000.

Silly leap there "Shrubby". Look at the family. You really think GB is trying to parlay the presidency into an oil goldmine? Silly. Tiring. The guy's pretty upfront to me, specially when standing next to...well, you know.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), October 17, 2000.

"You really think GB is trying to parlay the presidency into an oil goldmine?"

LOL, you've got to be joking! If you can't see that you must be blind. He's already got his eyes set on the Alaska Wilderness, and that is just a small part of what he's revealed. It's the stuff that we won't find out until he's elected that is REALLY gonna hurt.

-- (you.can't@be.serious), October 17, 2000.