Leaders of ten CIS countries watch horse races in Moscow

03.07.2004, 14.41

MOSCOW, July 3 (Itar-Tass) – Leaders of ten CIS countries gathered at
Moscow’s central racetrack on Saturday to watch the first horse races
for the Russian president’s prize.

Only Turkmen and Belarussian Presidents Saparmurat Niyazov and
Alexander Lukashenko could not arrive to attend the event.

The heads of Russian regions, who participated in the Russian State
Council meeting on Friday, were also invited to the races.

Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and senior officials of the
presidential administration and federal ministries also attended.

The presidents, some of whom were accompanied by the wives, gathered
on the special stands for guests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with his wife sat at the central
table. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Ukrainian President
Leonid Kuchmatook their places near Putin at the table.

The three leaders studied the race bill with great interest and asked
experts about the participants.

At the nearby table, Prime Minister Fradkov talked with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov.

Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili with the wives were at another table near the Russian
president. Akayev had binoculars with him.

The fifth race was to be the main where English thoroughbred horses
were to participate. The prize for the winner of the 200-metre race
will be three million roubles.

Mounted guards of the presidential regiment marched before the leaders
before the races.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress