Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

According to a report from Buenos Aires, criminal elements seized a Russian diplomat, Vasiliy Borisenko, the representative of Roszarubezhcentr (the Russian Cultural Center), Sunday evening in a suburb of the Argentine capital. Under gunpoint he was driven away as a hostage. The kidnappers demanded of the embassy ransom for the release of the Russian citizen. As a result of the prompt actions taken by Argentine law enforcement forces, our diplomat was freed, his state of health is normal.

At present the Argentine authorities are taking active measures for the search and arrest of the criminals.

June 16, 2003