Day when "Aeroflot" has been attacked.
Day when "Aeroflot" has been attacked.
Moscow. On February, 2nd. From number in hotel Balchug I
Observed the pink dawn rising over a city. Suddenly sharply
Brakes have begun to creak: three white motor vans have stopped at
Buildings opposite to office "Sibneft", the largest Russian
The oil company. Dozen good fellows in ski masks and
The camouflage, armed with automatic machines, has broken into a building door.
It were not gangsters and not terrorists. It were employees
FSB and inspectors of Office of Public Prosecutor. They interfered in this moment in
Empire of the most powerful Russian magnate - Boris
Berezovsky. According to the official version, them has interested
The private security firm connected with Berezovsky, which
Collected the information by means of the illegal equipment for
Listenings of telephone conversations. Policemen have declared, that
This security firm used the technics for espionage for
Members of a family of Boris Yeltsin. However not telephone a prowhisper
Became the reason of such demonstration of force. There was something
More considerable: authorities reconsidered the
The relation to is no time "native" capitalism, thanks to which
The people similar to Berezovsky, became fantastically rich.
In two days, on February, 4th, the police made spot-checks on offices
"Aeroflot", other company supervised by Berezovsky.
("The Russian national airlines" (so in the text,
Comment red.). 1977. Cost - 1,4 bln. dollars). This time
The Office of Public Prosecutor has officially declared, that begins investigation on
To business about possible infringements of financial activity on
Airlines. "Sources" from Office of Public Prosecutor informed "Forbsu", that
In the confused ball of communications of Aeroflot and Berezovsky with all
Evidence looks through swindle, plunders and
Evasion from payment of taxes. Two weeks after the Ministry of Internal Affairs has excited
Business on the same charge on the largest enterprise on
To manufacture of cars - "Autovases" which also was close
It is connected with Berezovsky.
The Russian capitalism at the crossroads. In first six years
After Boris Yeltsin's arrival to the power, in mad race on
Privatisations, in hands of a narrow circle of the businessmen who had
Good communications, have appeared huge statuses. Investments of the western
Creditors in these transformations reached 8 billion
Dollars in actions and 40 bln. dollars in credit loans. Now
The Russian economy thaws, and the western capital evaporates.
The population nishchaet also is ill, the majority of people starves, they
Are ready to eat the dog forage to resupply a protein.
City streets became the house for hundreds thousand deserted children,
Rummaging in garbage garbage. The Russian businessmen, even
Having good communications as Berezovsky, should incur for all
It is responsibility.
"Privatisation passes in Russia through three stages", -
Berezovsky in 1996 explained to our magazine. "The first -
Privatisation of incomes. The second - property privatisation. The third
- Privatisation of debts. "Differently, before to get
Were gos. The property, you "privatise" its profit. That
It means? Precisely it is not known, and Berezovsky now to us not
Will tell. It and its partner on business, Nikolay Glushkov,
Have entered with "Forbsom" judicial suit, having accused magazine in
To slander. (Article "the Godfather of the Kremlin?" On December, 30th, 1996).
And still it is possible to assume:
"Privatisation of incomes" means, that someone, even not
Registered among owners of the enterprise, can snip off a part
Its current income. If he meant it,
The history of introduction of Berezovsky in "Aeroflot" could
To become a classical example for the textbook.
In the autumn of 1995 "Aeroflot" was one of precious crowns
The Russian economy. The planting right in airdromes of all world,
Rather new plane park and the stable income in
To currency. The state supervised 51 % of actions of the company, 49 %
Actions belonged to a management and employees of "Aeroflot". (In
Present time a part of actions is on sale on Russian auction.)
To put it briefly, "Aeroflot" was a titbit, and Berezovsky,
Thanks to the communications with a family of president Yeltsin, had
Possibility to appropriate the control over it. Has retired
The director-veteran of "Aeroflot". On its place Evgenie has sat down
SHaposhnikov, the marshal of the Soviet Air Forces who understood nothing in
Business. Berezovsky managed to spend in zamy to SHaposhnikovu
Ancient friend Glushkov who became powerful
The head of financial service. So, there has come time
"Privatisations of incomes". "Aeroflot" money has started to move
"There-here" on Glushkov and Berezovsky's channels in Russia and for
Its boundaries.
In May, 1996 marshal Shaposhnikov has directed the circular in 152
Foreign office of the Russian airlines with the order to send
80 % of a current gain on the bill of firm Andava located in
To the Swiss Lausanne. (Later marshal Shaposhnikov has specified in
To the Russian press: this order passed behind the signature
Glushkov.).
Andava became foreign financial centre "Aeroflot". This
The firm organised in 1994 by means of the Swiss
Companies Andra (such writing of last letter in
The text - a comment red.) and Cie., served before the Autovase. System
Their financial relations existed about one year, for which
The autovases, plundered by dealers and intermediaries, almost that
Has gone bankrupt and, at last, has broken the links with Andava. He
There has passed also half a year as the client of the Swiss firm became
"Aeroflot". If to consider, that foreign incomes in the considerable
Degrees defined viability of "Aeroflot", it
The decision was very considerable phenomenon for all company.
Meanwhile, "Aeroflot" did not mention in the annual reports about
Andava. For privacy preservation were, possibly, special
The reasons. It is necessary to notice, that for the majority of the large
The companies own financial centres abroad - business
The usual. However Andava belonged not to "Aeroflot", and someone
To another, being the organisation unusual in own way.
On working board meeting Andava in Lausanne in February
1996 the following list of shareholders has been defined:
Berezovsky - 37 %, Glushkov - 34 %, Andra and Cie. - 21 %.
Owners of the remained share have not been marked. In the past at
Aeroflot for carrying out of foreign financial operations was
Own Center of the international payments.
It is known also, that many large international banks
Offer the services for conducting financial operations. So
Why Aeroflot has selected the financial company which does not have even
Certain management? On this question, for example, the head
Firms Andra and Cie., having the office in Moscow, responds
As follows: "I do not know. I can guess only".
The list of the circumstantial evidences, allowing to assume, that all
It also is a certain version of "privatisation of incomes", it is possible
To continue. According to the contract between "Aeroflot" and Andava,
Signed in May, 1997, last received commission fee
At a rate of 3,125 % from all money resources of airlines,
Passing through its intermediary. (For large banks
Usual payment for similar services - 1 %.) Later the Russian
The Office of Public Prosecutor has informed "Forbsu", that fees Andava were
About 2,5 % are lowered. The general fee of the Swiss firm in 1997
Has made 11 mln. dollars completely not badly for establishment with
Staff in half-dozen employees.
What did Andava with "Aeroflot" money? It started up
Them in a turn on airlines. For example, in July, 1997 firm
Has lent 14 million doll. The Sizes of incomes from a turn of the monetary
We do not know means. We know another: for three with superfluous year
Cooperation of "Aeroflot" with Andava shareholders actually not
Had representations about volumes of the current sums which were passing through
Unknown Swiss firm. They did not know and that one
From owners of this firm - Nikolay Glushkov - used
The right to sign of financial contracts on behalf of "Aeroflot".
Gradually Berezovsky and Glushkov appropriated payments
"Aeroflot" under a foreign abacus. In April, 1996 Andava
Has formed in Moscow the Financial incorporated company
(FOK) which has concluded the contract with "Aeroflot", allowing
To it to make payments under some foreign abacus
Airlines: 139 mln. dollars in 1996 and 82 mln. dollars in the first
To half of 1997. FOK, in turn, sent these bills in
Dublin, in Irish registration company Grangeland
Holdings Ltd. Financial combinations п?п п Grandgeland managed
"To Aeroflot nedeshevo". In 1997, according to the annual report
"Aeroflot", airlines should pay "penalties" in
The size 29 mln. dollars for infringements by calculations abroad. And
It not all losses of "Aeroflot" "resolving" activity
ц ц ц -GRANGELAND.
Financial operations passed through some stages.
For example, "Aeroflot" should pay 500 thousand dollars
Companies British Petroleum for fuel deliveries. Instead of that,
To pay bills directly, "Aeroflot" passed them in FOK,
Which then sent them from Moscow to Dublin in the company
Grangeland, carrying out payments under the bill, thus as though
ssuzhivaja money FOKu under 30 % annual (in dollars). FOK
Subtracts the sum of these percent from the foreign revenue,
Which is passed "Aeroflot", and 65 % are translated in
Roubles (which course steadily fell). Eventually on
It turned out to documents, that "Aeroflot" paid for fuel
About 90 % of the revenue (in dollars).
If "Aeroflot" paid the foreign bills without
Intermediaries, the Russian tax service, as usual,
Would leave it with empty pockets. According to it
To the confidential report for 1996, FOK "has washed" 97 %
The income subject to the taxation ("the foreign exchange
Losses "became profit Grangeland). And that
Grengeland? The Dublin address of the company it is simple
Correspondent box.
We do not know, who its owners, we know only, that among
Shareholders there are two Panama firms. In Grangeland there are also two
Directors. Both of them are officials of small Swiss firm,
Serving Andava.
At this time the Central Bank of Russia tries to establish the firm
The standard rules regulating repatriation
Foreign incomes of the domestic companies, as flight
The Russian capitals became a grandiose problem (main
The reason generating disorder of rouble). ""Aeroflot"cannot be
The subject for such regulation - William Ferrero declares,
The general director of firm Andava, - it is released by the licence
The central bank. "Aeroflot has addressed for this licence 5
July, 1996, shortly before the beginning "the control over incomes"
Berezovsky. However officials of the Central Bank then fluctuated.
In March, 1997 marshal Shaposhnikov has left from a post
The general director, on its place Valery Okulov has sat down.
The former pilot of "Aeroflot", it had in business of experience no more,
Than SHaposhnikov, but to Okulov has had the luck to become the son-in-law
Yeltsin. In two months after its appointment to the post of the Central Bank
Has granted to "Aeroflot" the notorious licence.
Looking through the reporting of "Aeroflot", the power
Have become interested in its mutual relations from other small
The Swiss firm-Forus Services S.A. This firm also was
It is based by Berezovsky, Glushkov both Andra and Cie. In affairs
"Aeroflot" it represented itself as the financial adviser
And the intermediary for the western firms. Forus has helped with creation
Incorporated bank which served Aeroflot in Russia.
The Russian authorities have told "Forbsu", that studied an episode 1996
Year when Forus "has snipped off a chunk" in 244 mln. dollars which
"Aeroflot" should pay to the western airlines for
Flights over their territory and for plantings in their airdromes.
Officials Forus and Andava have declared "Forbsu", that in the present
Time Berezovsky, Glushkov are not owners
One of these firms. Then who? To tell difficultly. Owners not
Are named by name in registration lists, being registered
Anonymous shareholders and bearers. Both boards
The Swiss financier (and the old ally contains
Berezovsky) Alan Mayer and two Swiss lawyers.
Absolutely clearly: "Aeroflot" "turned" under a management
Berezovsky's managers. The company has lost 82 mln. dollars in
1996 and 93 mln. dollars in 1997. And last year, to
To example, the Canadian authorities have confiscated one of planes
"Aeroflot" as he could not pay a debt in 6 mln. dollars
To the Canadian hotel.
Having begun criminal investigation on affairs of "Aeroflot" and
The autovase, the new government led by Evgenie Primakov
Shows, that it is resolutely adjusted to send Berezovsky
And other Russian magnates to all devils.
Son-in-law Yeltsin Valery Okulov looks "encouraged" fresh
Wind of changes. In days of police searches in offices
"Aeroflot" Okulov has expelled some managers and directors,
Including Berezovsky's creature. (Glushkov has left itself for some
Months prior to the beginning of changes.) at press conference Okulov
Has taken up arms against "intermediaries" and "contracts, adverse
For "Aeroflot" ", connected with the foreign financial
Frauds. He also has declared, that will put an end to communications
"Aeroflot" with firm Andava.
There was an era of "profit privatisation", will be, obviously, an era
"deprivatizatsii profits". However it is necessary to Russia a long way,
Before it will reach responsibility and respect degrees on
To the relation to the property rights, allowing to apprehend
The western style of capitalism.
The friend to a family.
During the early period of a mode of Yeltsin any successful businessman
Required a political cartridge. Boris Berezovsky's cartridge
There was general Alexander Korzhakov, the authorised representative and most
The person approached to Yeltsin. He headed the presidential
Security service (something like a hybrid pretorianskoj
Guards and KGB). In 1994-95, in "freedom-for-all" or
The Russian privatisation, Korzhakov has provided Berezovsky
Political support as the magnate appropriating
Were gos.sobstvennost. It also rendered to it and power
Support, unleashing the people on contenders
Berezovsky in business.
Korzhakov has told "Forbsu" as Berezovsky has appeared in
Yeltsin environment. "It happens after 93 years, in that
The moment when we studied variants of the publication of the second book
Yeltsin. Berezovsky has suggested to print it in Finland on
Its means "." Valentine was the author-invisible being "this book
Yumashev, the journalist whom Yeltsin knew some years, and
Also its regular biographer. The book "Note of the president" was
Is more tremendous boring and everywhere it was ignored. Berezovsky, that not
Less, has managed to dramatize "tremendous success". On purpose
Maintenance of this myth it has enclosed in one of the London banks 3
The mln. dollars, 16 thousand dollars "rent" bringing every month.
Yumashev played a role of the courier bringing "fees for the book".
Korzhakov who had access to the personal safe of Yeltsin, recollects,
That every month Yumashev brought to the president a gain cash,
Which that furtively put in the coin box-safe. On a measure
Receipts of money to Yeltsin told, what is it fees for
Its book, that all world reads it, that all world has grown fond of it.
It is quite natural, that Yeltsin was grateful to Berezovsky for
The "action" organisation though, possibly, also did not guess about
Volume that occurred actually.
Berezovsky diligently sponsored younger daughter Yeltsin,
Tatyana Dyachenko. To dominate it began very soon "for
Throne ", accompanying the father at its meetings with world leaders,
And also offering it the recommendations at purposes on
High state posts. In 1994-95, it agree
To Korzhakov, Berezovsky brought to Tatyana Dyachenko rather generous
Gifts:
Jewelry, the sports model of "field" made on
spets. To the order, and then - "shevrole blejzer".
Berezovsky was benefactor Yumashev. Some years it were
rabotadatelem Yumashev since became the owner of magazine,
In which that worked. This "friendship" was especially favourable in
March, 1997 when Yumashev became the head of administration
Yeltsin's ("gatekeeper").
Then there was son-in-law Yeltsin Valery Okulov, which in March 1997
Year has headed "Aeroflot".
It seemed, that "the circle of confidants" has been captured completely.
But, as is known, nothing is eternal under the moon. For the last
Months Yumashev, Yeltsin (and Tatyana Dyachenko) steels "has lost"
"The goods of the second grade", Okulov has torn the communications with
Berezovsky.
"FORBS", on March, 22nd, 1999 (a bus P.Hlebnikov).
//* an information Source: the House-keeper. The Russian Federation in zarub. Mass-media, 22.03.99
//* Reg. Nom. - 1090300027.01-------------------------------------------
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