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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2002 > October 
Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 4, 2002
Question Taken at October 4, 2002 Daily Press Briefing

Russia: Revocation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Presidential Decree

QUESTION: Is it true that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's accreditation in Russia was lifted?

ANSWER: We have seen reports in the press that President Putin has revoked the August 27, 1991 presidential decree that authorized Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) to open a permanent bureau in Moscow and instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accredit the bureau. According to press reports, President Putin attributed the decision to revoke the 1991 decree to a desire to put all foreign bureaus on the same legal footing.

--It is not yet clear what practical implications revocation of the 1991 decree will have. RFE/RL performs a valuable service for the citizens of Russia, providing fair and balanced reporting on domestic and international affairs. We consider it important that RFE/RL's broadcast operations continue without interruption.

--Our Embassy in Moscow has expressed our concerns to Russian officials and we are seeking a clearer understanding of the meaning of this action.

Released on October 4, 2002

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