Klein angles for province's condo in Washington, D.C.

Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein is leaning on his successor to lend him the keys to the province's empty Washington, D.C.,condoin exchange for a little hobnobbing.

Klein needs a place to livewhile he lectures at theWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the American capitol for three months this fall, he told CBC News Thursday.

The condo was bought for Alberta's Washington representative, a position that has been vacant since Murray Smith left the job earlier this year.

Klein said he could temporarily fill that job, for no pay,if the province would let him live in the apartment.

The position includes rubbing shoulders with political and business representatives in an attempt to raise Alberta's profile.

Although some ofKlein'sformer colleagues, like Treasury Board president Lloyd Snelgrove, think it's a great idea, Premier Ed Stelmach's office is not so keen.

A spokesperson said the province intends topost a bureaucrat in the jobthis fall and expects to make a permanent appointment in the new year.