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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 23-Apr-08
Putin angrily denies divorce rumors and shuts down newspaper reporting them

Web Log - April, 2008

Putin angrily denies divorce rumors and shuts down newspaper reporting them

He denies the 'erotic fantasy' reports of an affair with Alina Kabaeva

Russian journalist Natalia Melikova asked the sensitive question about Putin and Kabaeva. At bottom, Berlusconi responds with a gesture pretending to shoot Melikova, with Putin looking on. <font face=Arial size=-2>(Source: Telegraph)</font>

Russian journalist Natalia Melikova asked the sensitive question about Putin and Kabaeva. At bottom, Berlusconi responds with a gesture pretending to shoot Melikova, with Putin looking on. (Source: Telegraph)

The Moscow newspaper Moskovski Korrespondent was forced to shut down, and its editor, Grigori Nekhoroshev, was forced to resign, in retaliation for printing rumors that Putin had divorced his wife, and was going to marry rhythmical gymnast Alina Kabaeva, a superstar and gold medal winner at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. (See my article, "Vladimir Putin finds a way to retain power in Russia" for more details about the rumors.)

"Our director came to the newsroom and told us we were being shut down," said the shaken editor Nekhoroshev. "As far as the story is concerned I’ve full faith in my correspondents."

Several hours earlier, at a press conference in Sardinia with the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Russian journalist Natalia Melikova asked Putin about the rumors.

Berlusconi immediately gestured at Melikova, pretending to be shooting her with a gun.

There's little doubt that Berlusconi was joking, but the joke isn't so funny when you consider that other Russian journalists who displeased the Kremlin ended up with bullets in them.

At the press conference, Putin derided the “snotty noses and erotic fantasies” of the journalists reporting the rumors, which he denied, saying: "There is not a word of truth in this story. Politicians live in glass houses, everyone wants to know how they live, but there are limits and there is a private life and these limits should be respected. ... Other publications of a similar nature have in the past mentioned similar stories about me and women entertainers and attractive young girls and it will come as no surprise to you that I don't like them."

Melikova reportedly was reduced to tears by the incident at the press conference, but later said, "I saw Berlusconi's gesture and I know he has a reputation as being a joker. I hope there are no consequences." I suspect that Melikova has learned her lesson.

But there were consequences for Moskovski Korrespondent, and its editor, as the paper was shut down just a few hours after the press conference. (23-Apr-08) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 23-Apr-08 Putin angrily denies divorce rumors and shuts down newspaper reporting them

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 23-Apr-08
Putin angrily denies divorce rumors and shuts down newspaper reporting them