Debt-ridden Latvians use Internet to convince billionaire Abramovich to buy Latvia

London, Dec.31 (ANI): Russo-Latvian billionaire and owner of the Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich has been told that he would need to fork out 7.2 billion pounds to buy his hard-up country Latvia.

The Daily Express quoted insiders as saying that Abramovich, who is said to be worth up to 23 billion pounds, could be tempted to splash out.

Debt-laden Latvians have set up an Internet campaign to urge Abramovich, 42, to take control to save them from financial disaster.

Their tongue-in-cheek message says: "The population is hard working and pleasant, the country is environmentally clean and there is plenty of space to dock your yacht."

The failing Baltic country, which has 2.2million people, is among the hardest hit by the global money meltdown.

Some feel Abramovich, who made his fortune trading oil from neighbouring Russia, is one of the few "locals" with the cash to come to the rescue. He was not available to comment last night. (ANI)