SAINT PETERSBURG MAYOR'S OFFICE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN LIAISONS

193060, Saint Petersburg,

Smolnyj, k.112

Telephone: 278-11-15

Telex: 121465 LSWS SU

Fax: 278-16-33, 312-62-17

E-mail: aag@cfen.ecc.spb.su

20.02.96 N 138

To the Secretary on inter-ethnic

and inter-party questions

of Radical Party

Mr Olivier Dupuis

Dear Mr Secretary:

On behalf of Saint Petersburg's Mayor I thank you for your message which expounds problems of Tibetan people. I am agree with you that Tibetans as many small nations of the world are in danger of disappearance.

Unfortunately, it is necessary to see that financial resources of the city are extremely limited, taking in consideration difficulties of the period of transition to the market economy. Therefore financing the Tibet support campaign from side of Saint Petersburg is impossible.

The proposal to carry out such an action as raising Tibetan flag over the biggest cities of the world on March 10, 1996 is interesting. However, taking into consideration that competence to decide issues of foreign policy is given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, holding the action in Saint Petersburg could be considered as exceeding by Mayor his power. Therefore, to our deep regret, Mayor's Office cannot participate in such an action.

Sincerely,

First Deputy Mayor - chairman of the Committee V. V. Putim