"Nord-Ost" has become an event of cultural life only because its starting budget was 3.5 million US dollars. Such money invested in a domestic musical, in a Soviet plot, in our composers, artists, performers, and most importantly, in our own producers, is a precedent that the country will not forget. "The national pride of the Great Russians will be revived with a musical!" - as if someone's state lips were pronounced, and allowed this miracle to happen.

Putin and Bush at a press conference in Shanghai. Photo Reuters The American side claims that it is completely satisfied with the results of the Shanghai summit. In fact: it was difficult to expect such a unanimous support of the United States from the Muslim countries of the region in the fight against terrorism. Bush had a plausible excuse to stay at home, but the position of countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia is fundamentally important to him.

Nikolai Aksenenko and Herman Gref at a government meeting on April 12, 2001, where the MPS restructuring program was approved. Photo from the site www.mps.ru It is very characteristic that the Accounts Chamber transferred her report on a large-scale verification of the railway department in January-June 2001 to the Prosecutor General in July. Then on Bolshaya Dmitrovka they did not rush; Aksenenko interrogated only three months later. This is in itself an unpleasant sign.

Putin and Bush in Shanghai. Photo AP Many observers were inclined to perceive the Shanghai meeting of the presidents of Russia and the United States as a possible breakthrough in bilateral relations. Still! The presidents met for the first time after the events of September 11, at the APEC summit, Putin was supposed to look one of the most loyal allies of Bush against the backdrop of the leaders of Muslim countries and careful China.