17 December 2011

RUSSIA : Moscow Finally Gets WTO Nod; Polls Say Putin's Popularity Plummets.

                                          BBC

      It took 18 years of negotiations...but Russia has joined the 153-member WTO.
      Georgia has blocked Moscow since its short 2008 war.
     The Swiss brokered the deal between Russia and Georgia.
     Fewer trade barriers may spur billions in trade between Russia and the rest of the world.
     But in the USA...the congress must approve any deal for increased trade with Russia.


    AND:  PM Putin's popularity is plummeting...according to new polls.
     One poll has his support at 51%...down from a recent 60%...with only 42% willing to vote for him as president.
    Another poll shows him with only 44% approval...vs 70%...in 2008.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/8960649/Vladimir-Putins-popularity-drops.html