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0160907 - 2001
TONY BLAIR AND PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN GIVING A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE IN LONDON PH RICHARD LEWIS 17/04/00. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT IS IN LONDON ON A 24hr VISIT STAYING AT THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL HAVING HIRED THE PENTHOUSE FLOOR WITH THE ROYAL SUITE KEPT FOR HIMSELF. THE NIGHTLY BILL IS REPUTED TO BE £20,000 . PRIOR TO HIS VISIT TWO BLACK ZILS AND A MERCEDES WERE FLOWN OVER TO ACCOMODATE THE PRESIDENT. THE FORMER KGB MAN AND FITNESS FANATIC IS ACCOMPANIED BY 100 SECURITY MEN WITH 50 JOURNALISTS & A PERSONAL ENTOURAGE OF AROUND 50. THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT IS SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE LUNCH WITH THE PRIME MINISTER (TONY BLAIR) AND TEA WITH THE QUEEN AT WINSOR.
MR PUTIN IS EXPECTED TO BUILD BRIDGES WITH THE WEST DESPITE ONGOING TENSIONS OVER THE WAR IN CHECHNYA.
RUSSIA HAS MADE A CONCESSION OVER CHECHNYA ALLOWING THE ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION BACK INTO THE RAVAGED COUNTRY.
Credit: TopFoto.co.uk
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