THE Miss Universe pageant said it “terminated” Oxana Fedorova, and passed the title to first runner-up Justine Pasek, 23, of Panama City, Panama, because Fedorova cost them money by not attending events, photo-shoots and other duties of her job.

　　But Fedorova, the first Russian woman to hold the title in the pageant’s 52-year history, and the first to lose her crown, said her career and studies were more important.

　　“The responsibilities of Miss Universe are great for me, (but) at the top of my priorities are my studies and my career here in Russia,” Fedorova told Russian television.

　　Fedorova, a St. Petersburg police lieutenant in addition to being a postgraduate student with a law degree, has returned home, pageant officials said.

　　Pasek, who was a “crowd favorite” at the pageant in May, took over as Miss Universe 2002, far from the glamorous stage show that usually accompanies the crowning.

　　“When she’s not traveling, she (Miss Universe) is based here in New York,” Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, said at the news conference following Pasek’s crowning. “It is imperative that we have an active, reliable partner.”

　　“More than once we were invoiced for photo shoots where Oxana did not show up,” she said.

　　There were reports that pageant officials were concerned that Fedorova might have “secretly” married her boyfriend, in violation of pageant rules, and could even be pregnant.

　　But Fedorova denied to Russian television that she had ever been wed or was expecting a child, saying it was “still a dream.”

　　“I have never been married and certainly don’t have any children. But I hope I will in the future,” she said.

　　Organizers of the pageant, which is co-owned by NBC Inc. and New York real estate mogul Donald Trump, said although Fedorova “graciously” gave back her tiara and never took advantage of many of the other prizes that go with the title — such as personal development classes and extensive wardrobe for appearances — they “would have preferred that she resign” and regretted having to take other action.

　　Meantime, Pasek, who works in television production and plans to complete a degree in environmental engineering, stepped into the role of Miss Universe with about 24 hours’ notice and said she felt “ready and prepared” for the job.

　　“I’m very excited to bring this honor to Panama. I can only hope I can make my country as proud as can be,” Pasek said, in both Spanish and flawless English. She added she would promote fund-raising for AIDS research.

　　Panama’s President, Mireya Moscoso, publicly congratulated Pasek, who is of Polish decent, saying the young model would “go far and make Panama proud.”

　　Jean Figali, organizer of Miss Universe 2003, which will take place in Panama City next year, said, “It’s the best publicity in the world for Panama and should really help make the pageant a great success.”

　　A show business perennial launched by a swimsuit company 51 years ago, the Miss Universe pageant draws an estimated global television audience of 600 million people in 176 countries.

　　(SD-Agencies)