MOSCOW, Jan 8 (Interfax) — The emigration of scientists poses a major problem for Russian science, Vladimir Fortov, science and technology minister, told a briefing in Moscow Thursday.

Since 1991, between 14,000 and 15,000 researchers have left Russia for good, he said.  Russian physicists and mathematicians cover about 40% of the U.S. needs in this field of research, Fortov said.  The number of scientists that leave Russia for 6-12 months ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 annually, he said.

Every fifth member of scientific personnel at Moscow State University, the cream of the crop in Russian science, has gone abroad, Fortov said.  On the other hand, numerous Russian scientists who left the country maintain contacts with Russia and are helpful in having contracts signed with and investments made in Russia, he said.