Eighth element

The first working meeting on preparations for the 2006 G8 summit under Russia's chairmanship will take place in Moscow today. The meeting will take place in the eclectic Moscow mansion of Arseny Morozov, specially reconstructed for this occasion. (The same one that amazed the industrialist’s mother to such an extent that she, clasping her hands, exclaimed: “Before, only I knew that you were a fool, but now all of Moscow will know about it.”) However, in the ex-Morozov Palace (and in Soviet times, the House of Friendship), now equipped with the latest technology, only working meetings will be held. The summit of the leaders of the leading world powers, as is known, will take place on July 15–17 this year in the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg.
Why there? Well, firstly, the hometown of Vladimir Vladimirovich. Secondly, Konstantinovsky is the beauty and pride of the Russian president, by whose will the palace was restored from ruins for the tricentenary of the northern capital. However, there is one catch.
Ironically, the main topic of the summit was named energy security ahead of time. And the story of turning off the gas valve to Ukraine greatly upset Russia’s Western partners, forcing them to think about this very thing - about their own vulnerability in conditions of fatal dependence on Russian energy resources. It was so jarring that all over Europe they started talking about the need to look for alternative energy suppliers and new ways to transport blue and black gold, so as not to get too involved with Russia if possible. Once again there were cries that Russia has no place at all in the club of leading world powers, since it does not adhere to the democratic path of development, and makes foreign economic activity an instrument of political pressure. “Nobody is eager to go to St. Petersburg” – this is how some European officials involved in preparing the summit commented on the current mood. And yet, as they say, the trumpet calls. In this case - gas.
Preparations for the summit are in full swing. Including in St. Petersburg. Unprecedented security measures are already being planned (similar to those tested during the notorious tricentenary of the city on the Neva), including restrictions on the entry of tourists into the city. A repair schedule for special highways has been drawn up (Pulkovskoe Highway, Moskovsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Square, Shpalernaya Street, Primorskoe Highway). The reconstruction of a superhotel on the territory of the state complex “Palace of Congresses” (the same Constantine Palace) is being prepared so that it fully complies with the standards of the best European luxury hotels. The runways at Pulkovo Airport were reconstructed so that it could accommodate the largest and heaviest airliners (which cost the federal budget 2.8 billion rubles).
In total, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia will spend 7 billion rubles on preparations for the St. Petersburg summit. However, it is obvious that this is not all. Some programs are financed from the city budget, for example, road repairs. Some of it is not at all clear from what sources. Like, say, the grandiose fountains planned by the St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise “Vodokanal” on Moskovskaya Square and on the Neva, near the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.
In short, a lot of money. And where there is big money, there are scandals. And the first ones are already on the way. Businessmen grumble that competitions for expensive work are held behind the scenes. True, they do not grumble too loudly and, when communicating with the press, they do not mention their names - just in case, you never know. Well, later, presumably, the Accounts Chamber and the prosecutor's office will get involved. And things will be more fun.

Nikolay DONSKOV
Photo INTERPRESS