Ukraine fires Bill Gates

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has fired Microsoft founder Bill Gates from the country’s Foreign Investments Council.

News of the sacking was posted on the President’s official website.

Gates, regularly listed as the world’s richest person, was appointed a member of Ukraine’s Foreign Investments Council in 2005. But it’s not clear how big a role he had in the organization.

One of the Council’s main tasks was to improve Ukraine’s investment climate.

Gates wasn’t the only one to be shown the door. Another 13 members of the Council were also fired, including Viktor Yanukovich, leader of the Party of the Regions – Ukraine’s main opposition. Some new members were appointed to fill the vacancies.

Some observers say sacking Gates was a publicity stunt by Yushchenko ahead of new presidential elections.