MOSCOW TO ASK USA ABOUT EXTRA FINANCING OF RUSSIAN SPACE PROGRAM

MOSCOW, March 5, 2003. /From RIA Novosti correspondents Anna
Bobina, Yelena Glushakova/ -- Moscow will
raise an issue concerning the US extra financing of the Russian
space program within the framework of the
international cooperation at the International Space Station
/ISS/, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov
disclosed on Wednesday at the briefing. According to him, this
issue was discussed on Wednesday in Moscow with
US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow.

Having referred to the American legislature, the Ambassador said
it was difficult at present to find extra financial
means. American legislators artificially link this issue to the
Russo-Iranian relations, Mamedov reminded those
present. "However, there is no connection, and we do not violate
international agreements concerning the
non-proliferation of the mass destruction weapons and consider
this connection unjust," Mamedov said.

Russia will continue to raise issues concerning the financing of
its space programs, he stressed. "Our budget is very
tight and only a miracle can help us raise millions of dollars in
order to continue launching space ships to the ISS,"
Mamedov said. According to him, Moscow intends to continue looking
for ways out of the present situation.

Raoul