Russia tightens security as St Petersburg gets ready for G-8 summi

Moscow, July 12 (UNI) Russian special forces have beefed up security in St Petersburg ahead of the summit of the leaders of the Group of Eight (G-8) most industrialised nations on July 15-17, being held for the first time under the rotating presidency of Russia.

The summits of the G-8 countries with considerable political and economic clout have traditionally been a focus of anti-globalisation protests and a potential terrorist target. So Russian authorities are not leaving anything to chance.

''Everything has been prepared for the summit in St Petersburg. I am sure, this important international event will be held at a high level and will yield good results. All the conditions for this have been provided in the city,'' St Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko told reporters.

The governor said the authorities of the St Petersburg, built by Peter the Great as a ''window to Europe'' have overseen repairs to central thoroughfares and the early 19th century Constantine Palace, part of the 180-hectare Palace of Congresses, which will host most of the G-8 summit events.

Located 15 kilometers from St Petersburg, the Palace was thoroughly restored when President Vladimir Putin came to power in 2001. It was turned into a presidential residence, and has hosted corporate parties, talks, and international gatherings, including a meeting of more than 50 heads of state for the city's tercentenary in 2003.

The G-8 countries will hold several rounds of talks and meetings in different formats during their summit. Some of the meetings will be with leaders of several countries, invited for the outreach session, including India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Congo.

The G-8 Presidents and their wives will begin to arrive at the Pulkovo airport in the afternoon of July 15. They will stay in cottages in the grounds of the St Constantine Palace where the summit will be held. The Presidents and Prime Ministers and their wives will have an informal dinner in Peterhoff estate (Petrodvorets), the same evening. All other functions of the summit will be held in the St Constantine Palace.

The official summit will open at 1000 hrs on July 16 with a working meeting of the leaders of Russia, the US, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada in the Pavilion of Negotiations.

The heads of state and governments will meet in the Oval Room over a breakfast and continue the talks until a working lunch that will be served in the Meander Room.

On July 17, the G-8 heads of state will begin their programme by meeting invited leaders of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico, as well as heads of several international organisations.

They will hold a joint meeting followed by a breakfast in the same format in the Blue Hall of the St Constantine Palace.

The Russian President will present results of the summit at a news conference, after which other participants in the summit will hold their news conferences.

UNI XC PR VA VP1037