RUSSIA / FRANCE : Moscow Gives Actor Depardieu Citizenship.

     http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/03/world/europe/russia-depardieu-citizenship/index.html?hpt=ieu_c1

     President Putin quipped about it at a recent press conference.
     Now...it's a fact.
     Putin's friend...French actor Gerard Depardieu...has been granted Russian citizenship.
     Depardieu has been involved in a month-long public spat with officials over France's high taxes...especially on the rich.

     He has threatened to move away...to Belgium or elsewhere...to avoid a proposed 75% French tax rate.
     The contentious actor is a multi-millionaire...and has allegedly put his $70 million Paris estate up for sale.
     Russia has a flat personal tax rate..of 13%.
     Under French law...dual citizenship is allowed.