Facilitating a Big Bear Hug

The state Russia Information Agency hired James S. Denton Consulting "to improve economic, political and cultural ties between Russia and the U.S." The contract includes organizing "seminars in Moscow and D.C. for American and Russian opinion-leaders," "creating photo exhibits about Russia at American universities, submitting articles to electronic publications, arranging speech opportunities for 'Russian officials and experts at important media-attractive sites,' and organizing a trip for two members of Russia's Federal Assembly to the U.S." The RIA, which "also monitors and analyzes foreign media," was established in 1941 as the Soviet Information Bureau. Denton Consulting has also worked for Hungary and Serbia and Montenegro.