Russia's economic growth would be close to zero in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Friday.
"Our economic growth will most likely be close to zero, and the situation to a great extent will depend on our own measures," Kudrin was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

Deputy PM flies-by to thank Edinburgh airport staff

BAA Press Release

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has personally thanked frontline
security staff at Edinburgh Airport for their "dedication and
professionalism" during the recent security alert.

On a visit to the airport Mr Prescott met with the airport's security team
in the central search area, and praised the hard work and commitment
demonstrated by all members of the team over the last two weeks.

The heightened security restrictions have caused widespread disruption
across the UK air network. However, less than 8% of flights departing from
Edinburgh Airport were cancelled during the first week of the clampdown and
the airport is now operating a full schedule.

Mr Prescott was also briefed on the work Edinburgh Airport?s staff are
undertaking on a daily basis to ensure passenger safety by the airport's
Managing Director, Richard Jeffrey.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: "I would like to thank all the staff at BAA
Edinburgh Airport for their hard work in response to the new security
measures. The staff at Edinburgh airport have worked with dedication and
their professionalism has shone through, with staff giving up their own
holidays to ensure that people in Scotland can travel securely and with the
minimum of delay. BAA Edinburgh's staff have been working under huge
pressure over the last two weeks and it is a real tribute to their hard
work that passenger service levels are returning to normal. Your effort is
truly appreciated."

Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport, Richard Jeffrey added: ?I am
immensely proud of the whole team at Edinburgh Airport and the way all
staff have come together to deal with a tough and challenging set of
circumstances. The fact the airport managed to cope so effectively with the
new security requirements is a credit to the heroic effort that staff have
put in over the last two weeks.

?I have been particularly pleased by the positive feedback from both
passengers and airlines, without whose cooperation we would not have been
able to operate as well as we have.?

?It is very much business as usual at Edinburgh Airport now, with flights
operating a full schedule. However, additional security measures remain in
place and passengers are asked to give themselves extra time to pass
through security.?

Praise for the airport's staff also came from President of Edinburgh
Chamber of Commerce, Peter Taylor, who is a regular traveller through
Edinburgh Airport. He said: ?I travelled through Edinburgh Airport just a
few days after the tighter security regulations were first implemented and
was, admittedly, slightly apprehensive about what to expect. However, I
found the airport staff to be extremely helpful and reassuring, which made
the whole experience very positive, and they must be applauded for their
hard work in ensuring passenger safety and security?.

Its true Russia will be most affected by the crisis.

Is it true?