https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/54/5466992_putin-demands-abba-concert-.html
Putin demands Abba concert…
Vladimir Putin flies in Bjorn Again for Abba tribute concert
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The world knows Vladimir Putin as Russia's judo expert Prime Minister and
former KGB spy. Now it can add Super Trouper to his image after he
revelled in a secret Abba concert arranged by the Kremlin.
Russia's currency was sinking fast and its reputation had taken a
battering in the gas dispute with Ukraine but government officials found
time to organise the show for Mr Putin. The event is at odds with the
ascetic image of Mr Putin presented to the Russian public on state media,
which portrays him as a man of modest tastes. The Times has learnt that
the Kremlin paid -L-20,000 for the private concert.
The tribute group Bjo:rn Again was flown to Moscow from London, then
driven 200 miles north by bus to a remote location near Lake Valdai, where
they were kept at a military barracks. It was only as they prepared to
perform in a tiny theatre the following night that they learnt who would
be in the audience.
Aileen McLaughlin, who performs as Abba's blonde Agnetha Fa:ltskog, said
that Mr Putin and a woman companion were sitting on a sofa that was veiled
by a lace curtain. Half a dozen other guests were present at the hour-long
show on January 22 as the group sang 15 Abba hits including Waterloo,
Gimme Gimme Gimme and Dancing Queen.
It was the smallest audience we have ever performed to but Mr Putin was
really enjoying it, shouting `bravo' and clapping with the others," said
Ms McLaughlin. "He was dancing along in his seat to Super Trouper and
raised his hands in the air during Mamma Mia when we asked the audience
to." Bjo:rn Again performed despite the distraction of a burly security
guard who sat in front of the stage watching their every move. Band
members were under strict instructions never to leave the stage during the
show.
They were not invited to meet Mr Putin when it was all over. Instead, the
band was taken back to their barracks while the Prime Minister and his
guests watched a fireworks display.
"Everybody was dressed up - Mr Putin was in a bow tie and the woman was in
a really pretty, long, cream dress," said Ms McLaughlin. "I assume it was
his wife but I only got a glimpse of her because of the netting." Mr Putin
was accused last year - falsely - by the newspaper Moscow Korrespondent of
divorcing his wife, Lyudmilla, to marry Alina Kabaeva, a beautiful Olympic
gymnast half his age. He icily dismissed the allegation. The newspaper,
owned by Alexander Lebedev - who bought the Evening Standard in London
recently - later retracted the story.
Rod Stephen, the founder of Bjo:rn Again, said that the group had arrived
at the theatre to find that all the stage equipment they needed had been
bought brand new for the show. Security was so tight that one of the band
was advised not to go for a walk in the grounds afterwards because there
were snipers around the theatre.
Mr Stephen said that he had initially thought it was a prank call when an
official rang to arrange the trip. "He said he was calling from the
Kremlin and wanted to organise a concert for the No 2 person in Russia. I
thought it was Putin but nobody was saying anything," Mr Stephen said.
"The band were a bit gobsmacked by the net curtain. But Mr Putin got into
the spirit of it and had a great time - they all knew the Abba songs very
well."
Although Mr Putin has not previously revealed himself as a fan of the
Seventies Swedish supergroup, his fondness for parties is well documented.
The Russian leader is a frequent visitor to Silvio Berlusconi's villa in
Sardinia, where he has been entertained by showgirls and dancers from the
Italian Prime Minister's media empire.
Command performance
The Putin playlist consisted of:
Arrival; Waterloo; Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man after Midnight); Super
Trouper; Honey Honey; Knowing Me, Knowing You; Ring Ring; Fernando;
Voulez-Vous; Lay All Your Love on Me; Money, Money, Money; Take a Chance
on Me; Mamma Mia; Dancing Queen; Thank You for the Music
–
Lauren Goodrich
Director of Analysis
Senior Eurasia Analyst
Stratfor
T: 512.744.4311
F: 512.744.4334
lauren.goodrich@stratfor.com
www.stratfor.com