25 heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Russia and their spouses spent their last day of summer and first day of fall on a trip to Karelia. By tradition, it had been organized by GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia. "The current trip has several goals," GlavUpDK head I. I. Sergeyev announced to local media at the Petrozavodsk station. "They are to expand the diplomatic corps' vision of Russian regional horizons, to show historic and natural landmarks to the ambassadors.

The prime goal, however, is to demonstrate industrial and investment potential the Federation subject, which plays an increasing role in the development of border-zone cooperation with European Union states, has. Euroregion Karelia project has been working successfully within the Tacis program for already two years. So far, this region is the only one of this kind in the country."

Shortly after the arrival at Petrozavodsk, heads of diplomatic missions and GlavUpDK executives were received by Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Karelia S. L. Katanandov. Greeting representatives of states from all five continents, he briefed them on the advancement the region has made in economic and social life and in international relations and outlined its projects. S. L. Katanandov emphasized the role Karelia and its capital Petrozavodsk play in the continuous cause started by Peter the Great, which is to strengthen Russian power and to broaden the window of neighborliness with Europe. The city is to celebrate its 300th anniversary next year almost simultaneously with St. Petersburg.

Only one hour after the reception, comfortable buses brought tour participants to Martsialniye Vody resort founded by will of Peter the Great. Its site are chalybeate water springs with curative properties and medical mud. After tasting water from four different springs and admiring lakes and magnificent forests, the guests noted substantial potential for the progress of recreation and tourist business.

The first day in Karelia reached its peak when the guests visited Kondopozhsky pulp and paper plant. OAO Kondopoga General Director V. A. Federmesser spoke of increasing newsprint production output (550 thousand tons a year).

He took particular notice of constant export build-up now at 70 percent of all manufactured goods, mentioning social programs of birthrate stimulation, maternity protection, and the development of culture and sports infrastructure in Kondopoga. First requests for paper supplies V. A. Federmesser received right at the meeting. He promised to review them as soon as the new paper-manufacturing machine with annual capacity of 200 thousand tons is commissioned next year.

Interests guests had for Kondopozhsky plant products ran high when they visited its several manufactories. The main surprise, however, awaited the diplomats outside the clock-house. Organ music concert at the Palace of Arts and ballet at the Ice Palace carried them off their feet. "There is nothing like this ice arena even in my country," noted Canadian Ambassador Rodney Irwin. "Director Federmesser's work is the best proof there are new entrepreneurs in Russia who have quick senses of social concern." Discussion on Kondopoga continued through the next day during a voyage to the island of Kizhi until the sight of magnificent wood-only churches and peasants' houses turned its course to architecture. The complex is known as one of the main wonders of the Russian world. "Churches in Kizhi profess a unity between nature, man, and God," noted Chargй d'Affaires of Afghanistan Ghulam Sakhi Ghairat.

A construction worker and architect by vocation, I had lived with a dream to see Kizhi for 30 years, and what I saw did not fail me." Argentine Ambassador Juan Sanchez Arnau compared Karelian nature to his homeland's southern parts, observing, "Churches in Kizhi can turn even an atheist into believer."

Upon return to Petrozavodsk, the diplomats met with S. L. Katanandov again, also seeing other republican executives and representatives in the State Duma (V. N. Pivnenko) and the Federation Council (V. N. Stepanov and Yu. I. Ponomarev).

Delivering a speech on behalf of the tour participants, diplomatic corps doyen Swedish Ambassador Sven Hirdman accentuated the importance of ambassadors' and senior diplomats' visits to Russian regions, as well as an interest in real-life projects of economic cooperation with Karelia. He thanked Karelian leaders for hospitality and GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia executives for organization of the unforgettable journey. The doyen expressed hope that invitations to visit Russian regions, already a tradition, will continue.

Yury TAVROVSKY
Photos by Sergey SHCHERBAKOV