RUSSIAN JEWISH CONGRESS TO GAIN WITH NEW PRESIDENT: RABBI LAZAR








MOSCOW, MARCH 1, RIA NOVOSTI - The Russian Jewish Congress appointed Leonid Nevzlin acting president--a choice to promote its dynamic progress, Berl Lazar, Russia's Chief Rabbi, said to RIA Novosti.


	Prominent philanthropist, Mr. Nevzlin is top-notch manager, and the Congress will benefit with his gifts and merits, said Rabbi Lazar.


	Board vice-chairman of the petroleum mammoth YUKOS, Leonid Nevzlin was appointed acting president with an unanimous vote of the Russian Jewish Congress presidium today. His competences are valid till the organisation gathers for congress. The presidium did not discuss its tentative date, said our interviewee.


	The Jewish Congress needs an acting president after Vladimir Gusinsky announced today that he was resigning presidency.


	He cannot currently reside in Russia, which is necessary to properly manage the organisation, Mr. Gusinsky explained to the Moscow Echo radio company.


	The contradictory media tycoon is in Spain under pledge not to leave it before the lawcourt decides whether to extradite him to Russia on suspected fraud.