Mr. Lavrov had passed her a selection of newspaper articles and a compact disk with a selection of Russian TV political programs after the two met in Ankara, where Ms. Rice censured Russia for the lack of freedom of the press.
"At the Bratislava meeting I wondered if the State Secretary has read the articles and watched the television programs. Ms. Rice said she had no time for that", Mr. Lavrov said.
"I recommended her to do it very soon because it is very important for understanding the free-press situation in our country", he noted.
Asked by journalists, Mr. Lavrov said that he sees no connection between the Bratislava summit and the ruling of the Houston court to terminate the YUKOS case.
"It is the court ruling. The court was to be through with the hearings on February 18 but retired for deliberations for several days. You and I have read the media reports today", Mr. Lavrov said.
