What the Papers Say, Aug. 2, 2012

Kommersant

1. Vladislav Novy et al. article headlined "Rostelekom Acquires Swedish Family" says that the Rostelekom communications company plans to set up an alliance with the Swedish company Tele2 by swapping a 100 percent stake in the mobile phone operator Skylink for a share in Tele 2 Russia; p 1 (895 words).

2. Sergei Sobolev article headlined "Moscow Pastes Advertising Posters" says that the first outdoor advertising auction in the past three years will be held in Moscow in September; pp 1, 10 (597 words).

3. Oleg Rubnikovich et al. article headlined "Signs of Lost Immunity" says that the United Russia party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia have expressed willingness to strip A Just Russia Duma Deputy Gennady Gudkov of immunity. Gudkov has been accused of combining deputy work with business activity; pp 1, 3 (911 words).

4. Natalya Korchenkova et al. article headlined "Public Sector Employees Being Deprived of Alien Values" says that a group of deputies from the four parliamentary parties has suggested prohibiting Russian officials and MPs from having property, securities and bank accounts in foreign countries; pp 1-2 (824 words).

5. Natalya Bashlykova article headlined "Yabloko Collects Results of Election in Kasimov" says that the leader of the Yabloko party, Sergei Mitrokhin, has asked Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin to carry out a check and punish those guilty of 11 cases of vote rigging at the municipal election in the town of Kasimov, Ryazan region. Experts doubt that the party will succeed; p 2 (533 words).

6. Alexander Voronov article headlined "Opposition Uses Well-Trodden Method" says that Alexei Gaskarov, an activist from the Antifa anti-fascist movement, has been questioned by the Interior Ministry's Main Internal Security Department following his complaint about OMON (riot police) beating him during the May 6 opposition rally on Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad; p 3 (651 words).

7. Maxim Ivanov article headlined "Social Growth Prescribed for Protests" says that according to a public opinion poll conducted by the Levada Center, 42 percent of Russians support mass protests being held in Russia since December 2011 and 19 percent of respondents are ready to take part in protests. A rise in housing utilities bills and alcohol prices are behind this; p 3 (539 words).

8. Maria Plyusnina article headlined "Secondary Heir" looks at the state of affairs in the Sverdlovsk region, where the regional head was changed twice; p 4 (2,133 words).

9. Grigory Tumanov article headlined "Day With Fire" describes the situation in the Nizhnevartovsky district of the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district hit by forest fires; p 5 (796 words).

10. Vladislav Trifonov article headlined "Russian Investigators Let in to EBRD" says that Russian investigators have got permission to question senior officials from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London within the framework of a probe into 'kickbacks' for getting loans; p 5 (469 words).

11. Oleg Rubnikovich article headlined "U.S. Court Does Not Protect Former State Duma Deputy's Reputation" says that a New York court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former State Duma deputy from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Ashot Yegiazaryan against a U.S. human rights activist, who said that the U.S. authorities should not grant political asylum to the man who is charged in Russia with large-scale fraud and has been put on an international wanted list; p 5 (487 words).

12. Kirill Belyaninov article headlined "U.S.A. Assesses Work of Russian Special Services" says that the U.S. State Department has published an annual report on the fight against terrorism. Russia has failed to cope with extremism in the North Caucasus so far, but its efforts to fight against money laundering and international crime are satisfactory, the report says; p 6 (481 words).

13. Maxim Yusin article headlined "Tear Gas Cut Off From Bahrain" says that the international organization Doctors for Human Rights has accused the Bahraini authorities of applying tough measures against their opponents, including the use of tear gas, and criticized the U.S. administration for using double standards in this respect; p 6 (399 words).

14. Maria Yefimova article headlined "Egypt Recalls Letter From Israel" says that the Egyptian authorities have denied that they have sent a letter to the Israeli leadership calling for joint peacemaking in the Middle East. The new Egyptian leader wants to please the U.S.A., on the one hand, and to maintain support from the anti-Israeli-minded electorate, on the other hand, experts say; p 6 (404 words).

15. Kirill Belyaninov article headlined "Mitt Romney Makes Knight's Move" says that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has ended his first foreign tour, but the results of it are deplorable; p 6 (616 words).

16. Anastasia Gorshkova article published in the regular column headlined "Rules of Game" says that the Yukos case is being interpreted in different ways even in European courts; p 7 (387 words).

17. Kirill Melnikov article headlined "Gazpromneft Entrenches Itself in Iraq" says that the Russian gas giant Gazprom's subsidiary, Gazpromneft, has acquired stakes in two oil development projects in Iraq; p 9 (375 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1. Vladimir Mukhin article headlined "Corruption Among High Ranks" says that criminal proceedings have been instituted against the chief of staff and the first deputy commander of the Southern Military District, Nikolai Pereslegin, over abuse of office. Scandals involving high-ranking military officials have recently become frequent in Russia, the article says; pp 1-2 (666 words).

2. Olga Shulga article headlined "Gadget Revolution in Courts" says that representatives from Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky and Khamovnichesky courts have clarified how journalists should cover court meetings. Journalists should not publish witnesses' direct speeches, but reporting their speeches indirectly is not prohibited; pp 1, 3 (843 words).

3. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "If You Repent, You Will Have Discount" says that a number of pickets will be staged today in front of the building of the Investigative Committee in support of people who were detained under the criminal case on May 6 riots in Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad. Deputies and human rights activists, who were questioned as part of the probe into the issue, have complained about pressure exerted on them during questioning; pp 1-2 (750 words).

4. Sergei Kulikov article headlined "Russian Economy Gradually Goes Into Crisis" says that despite the Russian authorities' optimism, the Russian economy is rapidly weakening; pp 1, 4 (791 words).

5. Anton Khodasevich article headlined "Union Sky Is Communicating Courtyard" says that a Belarusian journalist, who published the photographs of teddy bears with "for free speech" labels airdropped by a Swedish aircraft over Belarus, is still being kept in a remand center, although no charges have been brought against him so far; pp 1-2 (607 words).

6. Mikhail Vyugin article headlined "Putin City Goes Putin's Way" looks ahead at the mayoral election to be held in the town of Nizhniy Tagil in the Sverdlovsk region this autumn; pp 1, 5 (500 words).

7. Ivan Rodin article headlined "In Time for Competition" says that United Russia Deputy Yevgeny Fedorov may head the party's Central Executive Committee; p 2 (408 words).

8. Editorial headlined "Efficiency Like That of Train" comments on an independent rating of energy-efficient economies made by the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), in which Russia ranks last, being behind not only both Western and Eastern developed countries, but also the BRICS countries; p 2 (490 words).

9. Oleg Nikiforov article headlined "WTO as Springboard for Modernization" looks at consequences of Russia's accession to the WTO for its relations with Europe and the country's further development; p 3 (831 words).

10. Ivan Rodin article headlined "They Hear Nothing and Aren't Going to Pay" says that a public opinion poll conducted by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) has shown that 56 percent of Russians know nothing about the Public TV channel to start operating in early 2013; p 3 (289 words).

11. Viktoria Panfilova article headlined "U.S.A. Increases Military Aid to Uzbekistan" says that next year the U.S.A. will allocate money for military programs being implemented by Washington in Uzbekistan. The issue will be discussed at a meeting in Tashkent in August, which is seen as a prelude to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the country; p 6 (817 words).

12. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "Russian in Ukraine Seems to Have No Prospects" says that a bill giving the Russian language official status in several regions of Ukraine has been submitted to the president for consideration. Meanwhile, a new bill regulating the use of languages in Ukraine, which cancels the previous bill, has been submitted to the parliament; p 6 (815 words).

13. Nikolai Surkov article headlined "Assad's Enemies Preparing for Air Clashes" says that the clashes in Syria are becoming fiercer with the Syrian army using aircraft and heavy arms and the opposition using portable air defense systems; p 7 (532 words).

14. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "U.S. and Pakistani Spies Reconcile" says that Islamabad has permitted NATO to transport cargo to Afghanistan through its territory even after the coalition withdraws its troops from there. The Pakistani intelligence head is on a visit to the U.S.A., where he will meet the CIA director; p 7 (665 words).

15. Darya Tsilyurik article headlined "Iran and Taliban Unite Against U.S.A." says that the U.S.A. has toughened its sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, anonymous sources say that Iran is boosting its cooperation with the Taliban and is going to hand over surface-to-air missiles to it; p 7 (743 words).

Vedomosti

1. Lilia Biryukova et al. article headlined "Putin Works With Documents" says that over half of bills approved by the Russian parliament during the spring session were drafted by the government headed by former Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Parliamentarians drafted significantly less bills; p 1 (511 words).

2. Yevgenia Pismennaya and Olga Kuvshinova article headlined "Third Pension" looks at Russian ministries' initiatives concerning the pension reform; pp 1, 3 (1,047 words).

3. Alexandra Kreknina et al. article headlined "Trade Is Engine of Advertising" says that alcohol producers spent about 5.4 billion rubles (some $168.8 million at the current exchange rate) on advertising annually and looks at where the money will go now after alcohol advertising was banned in Russia; p 1 (496 words).

4. Editorial headlined "Pension Treaty" contemplates the future of the Russian pension system; pp 1, 4 (546 words).

5. Maria Zheleznova article headlined "Choice of Bolotnaya" says that the Russian opposition has announced the beginning of an election campaign to the coordination council, a representative body of the protest movement. The election has been set for Oct. 7; p 2 (364 words).

6. Margarita Lyutova et al. article headlined "Case for Medvedev" says that the Russian government plans to strengthen control over state-run companies by obliging them to receive approval for any purchases of assets from the Cabinet; p 3 (525 words).

7. Nikolai Bobrinsky article headlined "Transitional Justice: Retribution or Truth" looks at how a new Russian government will solve key unsettled problems if the political regime changes in the country; p 4 (1,484 words).

8. Alexei Nikolsky interview with Valentin Pashin, the scientific chief and director of the St. Petersburg-based Krylov Central Scientific Research Institute, headlined "'Orders That Could Be Ours Go Abroad,'" who speaks about the Russian ship-building sector and its problems; p 5 (2,699 words).

9. Polina Khimshiashvili and Natalya Kostenko article headlined "In Syrian Shadow" says that President Vladimir Putin will pay a one-day visit to London today, during which he will hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron; p 2 (372 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Kira Latukhina report headlined "Let Them Sit and Fight" looks at President Putin's visit to an airborne base in the Ulyanovsk region. Putin spoke about Russia-NATO relations and a NATO transit point in Ulyanovsk; p 2 (820 words).

2. Sergei Bondarev interview with Fedor Glushkov, the chairman of the association for the development of the Khabarovsk region construction sector and the president of the Far Eastern Enterprises Consortium set up to involve regional companies in the development of the Sakhalin shelf, headlined "People to Go to Far East," who speaks about the performance of a state corporation to develop the Far East if it is set up; p 4 (1,420 words).

3. Article by the head of the Russian Higher School of Economics, Yevgeny Yasin, headlined "Salary With Dream About Pension" comments on pension reform in Russia; p 5 (860 words).

4. Natalya Kozlova article headlined "Protest to Be Checked" says that opposition activist and blogger Alexei Navalny has challenged the institution of criminal proceedings against him; p 7 (395 words).

RBK Daily

1. Svetlana Makunina interview with Andrei Vorobyov, head of the United Russia faction in the parliament and State Duma deputy speaker, headlined "'Most High-Profile Events in State Duma of Sixth Convocation Are Ahead,'" who speaks about the results of the spring session and his expectations for the autumn session; p 3 (970 words).

2. Yulia Yakovleva article headlined "'Raiders Complain to Konovalov" says that members of the social conservative club Civil Platform set up within the United Russia party have complained to Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov, seeking to challenge the registration of businessman Mikhail Prokhorov's party having the same name; p 2 (600 words).

Izvestia

1. Olga Tropkina article headlined "USAID Leaves Russia" says that USAID has decided to stop its activity in Russia in two years; pp 1, 3 (779 words).

2. Mikhail Rubin and Olga Tropkina article headlined "Vasily Yakemenko Cannot Succeed With Party of Power" says that the former head of the Federal Youth Affairs Agency (Rosmolodezh) has faced problems with the registration of his political party, the Party of Power; pp 1-2 (531 words).

3. Maria Zhebit interview with Sergei Dankvert, the head of the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service (Rosselkhoznadzor), headlined "'Law Enforcement and Security Agencies' Farms Account for 55 Percent of Outbreaks of Swine Fever,'" who speaks about those guilty of the spread of swine fever in Russia; pp 1-2 (1,148 words).

4. Roman Vetrov article headlined "Duma to Go Deep Into Gennady Gudkov's Illegal Business" details the materials of a check on A Just Russia Duma Deputy Gennady Gudkov, on the basis of which he may be stripped of immunity; p 2 (821 words).

5. Alexander Yunashev article headlined "NATO Should Stay in Afghanistan" looks at Putin's visit to the Ulyanovsk region, where a NATO transit base has recently begun functioning; p 2 (562 words).

6. Igor Yavlyansky interview with the leader of Transdnestr republic Yevgeny Shevchuk, headlined "'Military Force Deters Nationalists,'" who praises the Russian peacekeeping mission there; p 4 (548 words).

7. Anna Fedorova article headlined "War in Mirror World" comments on charges brought against opposition activist Alexei Navalny and who will gain from it; p 5 (922 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Olga Bozhyeva article headlined "Super Budget for Superjet" says that Russia's most ambitious project to produce Sukhoi Superjet passenger aircraft is on the brink of failure due to a lack of financing; pp 1, 4 (2,461 words).

2. Marina Ozerova article headlined "People's Front to Come to Switzerland" comments on a bill prohibiting Russian officials from having bank accounts and property abroad; pp 1-2 (797 words).

3. Renat Abdullin article headlined "Syria to Be Discussed in UN General Assembly" says that today the UN General Assembly will consider a tough resolution on Syria drafted by Saudi Arabia; p 2 (439 words).

4. Yekaterina Petukhova article headlined "Mirzayev's Victim Does Fall in Hospital?" provides the latest developments in the trial of street-fighting champion Rasul Mirzayev, charged with delivering a fatal blow to a student; p 3 (935 words).

5. Matvei Ganapolsky article headlined "Pussy Riot in Italian Way" compares the correlation of the law and religion in Italy and Russia as regards the Pussy Riot punk group's trial; p 3 (1,027 words).

6. Yulia Chernukhina article headlined "Ambulance for Trial" looks at yesterday's court hearing on the Pussy Riot punk group's case; p 3 (651 words).

Noviye Izvestia

1. Nikolai Snezhkov interview with the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's adviser, headlined "'Romney Overcomes Temptation to Repeat That Russia is U.S.A.'s Main Enemy,'" who speaks about Romney's recent foreign tour to Britain, Poland and Israel; p 2 (790 words).

2. Margarita Alyokhina article headlined "You Are Eyewitness" describes yesterday's court hearing on the Pussy Riot case; p 5 (599 words).

3. Margarita Alyokhina interview with general director of the Center for Political Information Alexei Mukhin, headlined "'No Trend to Democratization in CIS Countries,'" who speaks about the advantages of former Soviet republics' integration; p 5 (766 words).

Krasnaya Zvezda

1. Alexander Tikhonov interview with Air Force commander Lt-Gen Vladimir Shamanov headlined "Christened by Blue," who speaks about the main tasks of the Air Force, their equipment and development; p 1-2 (1,650 words).

Moskovskiye Novosti

1. Interview with Vladimir Ashurkov, the head of opposition activist Alexei Navalny's Foundation for Combating Corruption, headlined "Without Ideology," who speaks about the People's Alliance political party, which has submitted documents for registration to the Justice Ministry; p 2 (340 words).

August 2, 2012/BBC Monitoring/©BBC