MOSCOW, September 25 - RAPSI. The purported evidence of United Russia's participation in USAID programs is based on a "blatant lie," the party's spokesperson Olga Batalina said.

Opposition activist Boris Nemtsov's claim that an employee at the party's regional community liaison office in Saratov named Yuri Vyadro took part in the Foros forum is simply untrue, she said.

There has never been an employee by that name in any United Russia office, she stressed. Foros is a political youth forum held annually which aims to united young politologists and political activists from the countries that now constitute the former USSR. The forum is frequented by many experts, as well as famous political figures and other celebrities.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of State said United Russia has taken part in USAID programs, but did not specify their names.

According to Senator Andrei Klimov, United Russia has never participated in any USAID programs.

Klimov is a member of the party's presidium supervising cooperation with international organizations.

USAID was founded by John F. Kennedy in 1961. It is involved in developing the economy and healthcare, providing urgent humanitarian aid, assisting in the prevention of conflicts, and supporting the development of democracy in over 100 countries.

The Foreign Ministry said earlier that officials told USAID to cease its activities in Russia as of October 1 because the agency had "tried to influence political processes through financial grants."

Rights advocates have expressed concern over USAID's pullout, and stressed that this will negatively affect a number of NGOs.