Several years ago when our Prime Minister, Chretien, lead a trade delegation to Russia, I was on assignment in Solnechnogorsk. He was leading Canadian lambs to the slaughter in Russia...

Whenever Canadians and other trusting foreigners set up a joint venture in Russia, the same outcome ensues. First, our expertise and dillegence yields a succesful plan for some venture. Next, we are required to have a Russian joint venture partner. Next, we send millions of dollars in equipment, our skilled personnel, and financing to set up an operation. It starts to produce. Then a corrupt Russian court, and various political / bureaucratic pigs has the Foreign portion of the Joint Venture invalidated, such that the Russian interests are left with 100%.

Today BP is finding out how the game is played in Russia....

Yellowkinfe is colder than Moscow, but a much more honest playing field, I can tell you!

SKELEG