Unlike many of the dreamy economists who populate Russia's think tanks, he has nurtured strong political ties.

But Mr. Jones learned that Janssen nurtured other ties to state officials.

Fram also nurtured close ties to the Swedish royal family while Norway was subject to a personal union with its neighbor country.

The three constituent colleges have nurtured strong ties with local rural businesses and communities and own farms and conservation areas across the country.

Oil and government interests in the United States have nurtured ties to Venezuela for decades, as a conveniently close supplier.

And, some argue, he owes much to an undoubted ability to nurture close ties with his sponsors.

The sale is also part of Moscow's diplomatic campaign to nurture closer ties with Teheran.

Mr. Houphouet-Boigny had nurtured close personal ties with several generations of French leaders.

In France, mandated paid parental leave for child birth and adoption acknowledges society's obligation to nurture strong parent-child ties.

Russia has even more to win from nurturing good ties with the US.