American financier and philanthropist George Soros told the \"Los Angeles Times\" on 5 July that Central Asia is the new focus of his Open Society Institute network. Soros described his general approach to authoritarian regimes as an attempt to bring \"such great benefits to the people that even a repressive regime finds it advantageous to accept your presence.\" Soros singled out the Uzbek government, which recently denied the Open Society Institute registration, as \"very repressive.\" He also praised Georgia\'s \"Rose Revolution,\" saying, \"I\'m delighted by what happened in Georgia, and I take great pride in having contributed to it.\" While the billionaire would be glad to see the experience repeated, he stressed that he did not see it as a realistic alternative for Central Asian countries. (RFE/RL)