GAZPROM-MEDIA CHIEF DISCUSSES NTV DEVELOPMENTS IN U.S. PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL








WASHINGTON D.C., MARCH 7, RIA NOVOSTI - Gazprom-Media Director -General Alfred Kokh discussed the situation surrounding the NTV broadcasting company and the freedom of speech in Russia in the U.S. President's National Security Council.


	Speaking to journalists following the event, he specified he had discussed Gazprom-Media's stance vs. Media-Most with the National Security Council's director for Russia, Marc Picolo. Before that, Kokh spoke on this same topic with John Bayerly, Deputy Special Advisor of the U.S. President and Secretary of State on Russia.


	At those meetings, the sides also discussed a proposal of the media magnate Ted Turner and the financier George Soros, on the establishment of an international consortium to invest in NTV. "The State Department and the National Security Council support Turner' s and Soros' proposal, just like any other initiative of Western investors that is aimed at protecting media independence in Russia," said the Gazprom-Media chief.


	He noted that neither the State Department nor the National Security Council wants the Russian side to view their support as a lobbying attempt.


	At his talks with officials of the State Department and the National Security Council, Kokh set forth to them Gazprom-Media's opinion that the conflict around Media-Most was not an attempt "to stifle the freedom of speech in Russia," but an effort on the part of Gazprom to get back its investments in that media holding, including its two outstanding loans (40 and 68 million dollars).


	According to Kokh, Gazporom-Media fully supports the proposals of the consortium headed by Turner and Soros, especially the part concerning the lack of control over NTV from any individual investor.


	Kokh pointed out that if the commercial conflict between Gazprom-Media and NTV drags on, there is a strong possibility that NTV will be declared bankrupt. Under Russian laws, it will then have its license revoked and will stop to exist, he said.