What the Papers Say, Nov. 29, 2013

Kommersant

1. Sergei Mashkin article headlined "Recreation facility deployed against former minister" says that although the status of former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov in the criminal case over his use of servicemen and public money to renovate his relative's private holiday house was changed from witness to suspect, the former minister will hardly go to prison; pp 1, 4 (1,057 words).

2.Yelena Kiseleva and Denis Skorobogatko article headlined "Russian Academy of Science turns out to be without 'Brains'" says that a check revealed that the Russian Academy of Sciences does not have any property rights for the building dubbed "Brains", which was believed to be its property; pp 1, 9 (735 words).

3. Yelena Kovalenko article headlined "Money to card" looks at the latest version of amendments to the law on national payment systems regarding banks' return of money lost through criminal activities with bank cards; pp 1, 10 (564 words).

4. Taisia Bekbulatova et al. report headlined "Moscow begins re-dividing" says that the Moscow City Electoral Commission has presented a variant of districts division into single-seat constituencies for the 2014 election to the Moscow City Duma; pp 1-2 (716 words).

5. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Cyber security concept fails to comply with state strategy" says that the Concept of Cyber Security Strategy the Federation Council is to discuss today contradicts the state policy on information security; p 2 (615 words).

6. Zaur Farnyev and Irina Nagornykh article headlined "Head of North Ossetia to get chance for third term" says that the North Ossetian parliament has passed a bill to give up direct elections of the republic's head; p 2 (565 words).

7. Andrei Kolesnikov article headlined "Peace, labor, March" gives an ironic account of President Putin's meeting with the state officials in charge of preparations for the Sochi Olympics; p 3 (997 words).

8. Grigory Tumanov article headlined "Public Chamber invites to prison" says that the Public Chamber has invited more volunteers to monitor penal institutions in an attempt to put an end to the scandal over public monitoring commissions where former law-enforcers prevail; p 4 (509 words).

9. Vsevolod Inyutin article headlined "Attempt to cash environmental concerns" says that law-enforcers have detained two environmental activists who staged protests against the development of copper and nickel deposits in the Voronezh region. The activists are charged with extortion of at least 24 million rubles ($700,000) from representatives of the company to develop the deposits; p 4 (516 words).

10. Dmitry Komarov article headlined "Yevgeny Roizman acts as defense lawyer" says that Yekaterinburg's Mayor Yevgeny Roizman was questioned yesterday in line with the criminal case against former chief editor of Ura.ru news website Aksana Panova, who is facing charges of extortion, abuse of office and fraud; p 5 (621 words).

11. Vladimir Solovyev article headlined "Eastern Partnership shifting towards west" says that as Kiev has suspended integration with the EU, Brussels has begun portraying Moldova as the main achievement of the Eastern Partnership project; p 7 (750 words).

12. Pavel Tarasenko article headlined "Tourists help protests in Thailand" says that the Thai authorities are ready for concessions to opposition as the disorders are frightening off tourists; p 7 (525 words).

13. Sergei Strokan article headlined "U.S., Japan defy Chinese zone" says that the territorial dispute between China and Japan has moved to airspace as U.S. bombers and Japanese planes fly over the disputed islands breaking into a new airspace defense zone imposed by China; p 7 (466 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1. Vladimir Mukhin article headlined "Soft and cuddly suspect Serdyukov" says that experts reacted skeptically to the news about a criminal case launched against former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov over accusations that he used servicemen and government funds to renovate a private holiday home and build a road to it. Most experts do not believe a serious punishment will follow and say that the proceedings are aimed at reassuring the public; pp 1-2 (600 words).

2.Svetlana Gavrilina article headlined "Speaker, deputy governor and St. Petersburg's best people" says that the St. Petersburg legislative assembly speaker has met the city's honored citizens; pp 1, 6 (560 words).

3. Yekaterina Trifonova article headlined "Opposition preparing for Constitution Day" says that opposition is planning to stage a rally timed to the Constitution Day on Dec. 12. Meanwhile, human rights activists are collecting signatures under a petition to the president asking to interfere in the Bolotnaya Square riots case; pp 1, 3 (930 words).

4. Anastasia Bashkatova article headlined "Mega-regulator looking for ways to boost coffers" says that the Central Bank has revoked a license from Makhachkala's Naftabank, and quotes experts as saying that the regulator seems to have changed its policy and stopped turning a blind eye to illegal schemes amid the worsening economic situation; pp 1, 4 (1300 words).

5. Anna Gushchina article headlined "Brussels blames Russia for 'pressure and blackmail'" looks at the first day of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius and says that European officials reproached Russia for pressuring Ukraine into ditching integration with Europe; pp 1-2 (620 words).

6. Ivan Rodin article headlined "State Duma deputies eager to be detectives" says that lawmakers have decided to bring back to life a bill on parliamentary investigation. Experts attribute the move to recent polls that show that the parliament is losing its prestige; pp 1, 3 (1070 words).

7. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Serdyukov to hurl back [accusations], Vasilyeva to be set free" says that the Oboronservis case involving large-scale frauds with the Defense Ministry's property is unlikely to bring former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and his close friend Yevgenia Vasilyeva to prison; p 2 (490 words).

8. Fayed Mustafa article headlined "Carte blanche. Joyless jubilee of Middle East peace process" says that, 20 years after the beginning of peace talks with Palestine, Israel keeps dragging out the talks; p 3 (829 words).

9. Arkady Lyubarev article headlined "System of irremovable majority" slams the United Russia party for passing bills that make it extremely hard for opposition to win in elections; p 5 (1,302 words).

10. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "European Maidan turning into strike" says that today protesters against Kiev's U-turn on EU integration are going to form a 600-meter-long chain by holding hands. Meanwhile, Ukrainian youth is becoming increasingly radical and may demand the authorities' dismissal; p 7 (971 words).

11. Grigory Mikhaylov article headlined "Kyrgyzstan begins having second thoughts about Customs Union" says that Kyrgyz Economy Minister Temir Saryev has criticized the road map Kyrgyzstan is supposed to follow when joining the Customs Union as it was adopted without the republic's approval; p 7 (560 words).

12. Anton Khodasevich article headlined "Official Minsk being threatened with summons" says that representatives of Belarussian opposition have suggested that an international tribunal on the situation in Belarus be set up; p 7 (586 words).

13. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "America interferes in China's dispute with Japan" says that the territorial dispute between China and Japan may turn into an international crisis as the U.S. has assured Tokyo of its support; p 8 (687 words).

14. Yevgenia Novikova article headlined "U.S. ready to destroy Asad's chemical weapons on vessel" says that the U.S. has suggested that the Syrian regime's chemical weapons be eliminated on its vessel Cape Ray in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea; p 8 (768 words).

15. Editorial headlined "Euro-integration as generation's choice" comments on Euro-integration processes in former Soviet republics; p 2 (400 words).

Vedomosti

1. Editorial headlined "Happiness getting more expensive" refers to polls that show that the importance of prosperity for people's happiness is growing; pp 1, 6 (378 words).

2.Editorial headlined "Migrants of our town" says that the authorities plan to set up a cluster of facilities to house migrants engaged in construction and utilities sector in Moscow; p 6 (341 words).

3. Yekaterina Kravchenko article headlined "Market does not expect Iran" refers to polls which show that oil traders do not expect Iran to return to the world oil market soon; p 4 (396 words).

4. Maxim Solyus article headlined "Thing of week: Palaces" comments on new revelations opposition politician and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has recently made: five high ranking officials have forgotten to include huge land plots they own in their income declarations; p 7 (406 words).

5. Andrei Babitsky article headlined "Bad news: high-ranking squatters" contemplates why state officials prefer not to register their property under their own names; p 7 (437 words).

6. Polina Khimshiashvili article headlined "Two countries forward, one back" comments on the results of the first day of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius; p 2 (500 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1.Yelena Kukol interview with Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev headlined "I know what I am talking about" where he says that the natural monopolies' purchases will be closely monitored and speaks about chances for Russian economy to grow; pp 1, 6 (2,275 words).

2. Natalya Kozlova article "Serdyukov steps on road" looks at the criminal case launched against former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on charges of negligence which resulted in damages of over 50 million rubles ($1.5 million); pp 1, 7 (1,488 words).

3. Vladislav Vorobyev article headlined "To Vilnius without signing" says that now it is Kiev, not Brussels, that puts forward conditions for integration with the EU; pp 1, 8 (664 words).

4. Kira Latukhina article headlined "To reach stars" looks at President Putin's meeting on the state defense order in Sochi; p 2 (450 words).

5. Tatyana Zamakhina article headlined "Corridor to Asia" looks ahead at the session of the council of heads of governments of SCO countries to be attended by Prime Minister Medvedev; p 2 (200 words).

6. Vitaly Petrov article headlined "Renewal of philosophy" says that State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin has called on Brussels to refrain from interfering into Ukrainian affairs; p 4 (613 words).

7. Yevgeny Shestakov article headlined "CNN 'edits' Russia's envoy to UN" says that the CNN has made significant cuts to its interview with the Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, namely his statements on the Syrian crisis; p 8 (637 words).

8. Pavel Dulman article headlined "Lady drawn to tribune" says that the speech of the Lithuanian parliament speaker at the Ukrainian Maidan has proved to be the high point of the unprecedented pressure Brussels has been exerting on Kiev to force it into signing an association agreement with the EU; p 8 (430 words).

9. Yekaterina Zabrodina article headlined "Covering things up in water" says that the U.S. brass have put forward an initiative of destroying Syrian chemical weapons aboard a U.S. vessel in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean; p 8 (322 words).

10. Maxim Makarychev article headlined "Fighting in Kiev manner" looks at recent developments in Ukraine; p 9 (758 words).

11. Valery Vyzhutovich article headlined "From maidan to maidan" comments on Ukraine's U-turn on integration with Europe, the beginning of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius and reasons behind the escalating political crisis in Ukraine; p 9 (878 words).

12. Alexei Plotnikov article headlined "No cars, no planes" looks at the consequences for the Russian industry if Ukraine signs an association agreement with the EU; p 9 (723 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Yulia Kalinina article headlined "Slippers and negligence" makes fun of the fact that when television host Ksenia Sobchak interviewed the main suspect in the high-profile Oboronservis corruption case, Yevgenia Vasilyeva, in her house, she was made to take off her beautiful shoes and put on slippers; pp 1, 4 (400 words).

2. Alexander Minkin article headlined "Authorities without conscience" refers to the Latvian government's resignation after the collapse of a mall claimed the lives of 54 people and says that the Russian government has never acknowledged its fault in numerous man-made disasters and people's deaths; pp 1-2 (502 words).

3. Yeva Merkacheva article headlined "Ex-minister's unbeloved woman" features an interview with one of the suspects in the high-profile case over fraud with the Defense Ministry's property, Yulia Rotanova, who is kept in a remand center; pp 1, 4 (978 words).

4. Natalya Rozhkova article headlined "Ukraine, Russia in animal world. Myths and truth about EU" features an interview with deputy director of the CIS Countries Institute Vladimir Zharikhin and Ukrainian expert Vitaly Portnikov who speak about prospects and consequences of Ukraine's integration with the EU; pp 1, 3 (2,572 words).

5. Igor Karmazin article headlined "Maidan awaiting … Russian riot police" looks at the recent developments in Kiev and rumours about quite likely forceful dispersal of the rallies; p 3 (640 words).

6. Stanislav Belkovsky article headlined "Love to Russia for money" comments on Kiev's U-turn on the integration with Europe, reasons behind the move and prospects for Russia-Ukraine relations; p 3 (1,253 words).

7. Marina Perevozkina article headlined "EU to completely split Georgia and Moldova?" looks at how integration with Europe may affect Georgia and Moldova; p 3 (509 words).

Izvestia

1. Olesya Elkova article headlined " Industry and Trade Ministry will save 5Bln on aviation" looks at the financial situation in the Russian aircraft-building industry as authorities try to draw in private investors, pp 1, 3 (700 words).

2. Yelizaveta Mayetnaya and Herman Petelin article headlined "Serdyukov's negligence may turn out to be abuse" says the criminal case on negligence against former Defense Minister Serdyukov may be requalified to abuse of authority; pp 1, 4 (1,100 words).

3. Yegor Sozayev-Guryev article headlined "President postpones New Year's day for Olympic managers" covers the Nov. 28 session of the Sochi Olympics preparation committee, chaired by Putin; p 2 (620 words).

4. Alena Sivkova article headlined "Young United Russia members start looking for national heroes" talks about an online project by the United Russia party's Young Guard movement aimed at naming the "national heroes" of our time; p 2 (970 words).

5. Ivan Cheberko article headlined "Planned Proton-M launch does not go according to plan" talks about a propulsion unit malfunction at the latest test launch of the Proton-M missile; p 5 (540 words).

6. Maria Gorkovskaya et al. article headlined "Cameron promises to take social benefits away from guest workers" talks about British Prime Minister David Cameron's recent migration initiative; p 8 (620 words).

7. Yanina Sokolovskaya et al. article headlined "Eastern Partnership working on shortened agenda" talks about the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius; p 8 (670 words).

8. Yury Matsarsky article headlined "Students protesting in Kiev do not want to go to Siberia" covers the pro-EU protests in Kiev from the point of view of students who went out onto the squares; p 8 (470 words).

9. Eduard Limonov's column headlined "Battle for Ukraine" is an anti-EU look at the protests in Kiev; p 9 (740 words).

RBC Daily

1. Ivan Petrov article headlined "Trial does not mean jail" comments on the Investigations Committee having launched criminal proceedings against former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who is charged with negligence. According to RBC's source, an order to start proceedings against Serdyukov personally was given by chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin. Serdyukov's role in other criminal episodes related to the Defense Ministry will be re-assessed as well; however, the investigation has no plans to demand that Serdyukov be arrested; p 2 (900 words).

2. Inga Vorobyeva article headlined "Putin strips Sochi officials of New Year holidays" looks into the meeting between Sochi officials and President Vladimir Putin, who inspected the readiness of Sochi facilities and sport objects for the upcoming Olympics; p 3 (350 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda

1. Viktor Baranets article headlined "Serdyukov finally gets case" comments on the launch of criminal proceedings against former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, saying that negligence is the most "harmless" accusation he could face; p 3 (700 words).

2. Sergei Senushkin article headlined "'I am proud I managed to take heat'" reports on television host Ksenia Sobchak's interview with one of the main suspects in the Oboronservis corruption case Yevgenia Vasilyeva, who said she did nothing wrong and complained about the pressure put on her to give testimony to incriminate former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov; p 3 (200 words).

3. Alexander Belyayev article headlined "Yekaterinburg got everything necessary from World Expo already" says that Yekaterinburg has lost its bid for hosting the World Expo 2020 to Dubai; p 6 (600 words).

4.Alexander Rogoza article headlined "Suitcase on Red Square to remain forever! In people's minds" says that a big scandal around the giant Louis Vuitton-branded suitcase installed on the Red Square received a huge coverage in Russian social media and even got its own Twitter account; pp 1, 8 (650 words).

5. Alexander Kots and Dmitry Steshin special report headlined "Jihad for export" traces the footsteps of some militants fighting in Syria to the Russian North Caucasus; pp 12-13 (1,600 words).

Novaya Gazeta

1. Maria Yepifanova article headlined "Upgrading Herod's law" says that Russian State Duma deputies may introduce new amendments to the so-called Dima Yakovlev law banning U.S. foster parents from adopting Russian children, which will envisage a total ban for foreign adoption; p 2 (500 words).

2. Andrei Kolesnikov article "Suitcase-sized man" looks into the scandal around the Louis Vuitton suitcase-shaped pavilion installed on the Red Square; p 7 (500 words).

Trud

1. Alexander Protsenko article headlined "Gold fever" says that the Olympics have not yet stared, but the local authorities in the Russian regions are already competing in the scale of money rewards for the future champions; pp 1, 3 (700 words).

2. Alexander Dmitryev article headlined "Listen, Zina, leave brother-in-law alone" says that former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov is very unlikely to be put behind bars even if he is found guilty of negligence; pp 1-2 (700 words).

Krasnaya Zvezda

1. Dmitry Semenov article headlined "Space harbor near Amur" features an extensive report on the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome; p 6 (1,000 words).