Press Review

IZVESTIA (26/7/2005)

Former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov returned from vacation on Monday and immediately stated about a " slanderous character" of authorities' campaign launched against him. He also stated about his intention to " create conditions in the country for a real political process" . The story comments on his political statements, focusing on his plans and experts' views on them. (1, 2, Kommersant, 1, 3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1, 3, Vremya Novostei, 1, 2, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 1, Noviye Izvestia, 1, 2, Gazeta, 3, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2, MK, 1, 2)

In an interview Anton Zlatopolsky, Director-General of the Rossiya television channel, talks about serious changes in domestic television in the past season and about how they have affected his channel. (1, 10)

The Energia space corporation has submitted to the Federal Space Agency its sensational project - a space tour around the Moon for $100 million. The story examines the project. (1, 3, Vremya Novostei, 1)

Beslan mothers experienced shock late last week when they had to bury again the remains of their children. They were fragments of unidentified bodies brought to the city from the Rostov medical-criminalistic laboratory. The story describes the ceremony. (1, 2)

The story reveals new sensational details in the case with Vladimir Tikhonov, governor of the Ivanovo region. Entrepreneur Telman Feroyan in an exclusive interview told Izvestia about money he gave to the governor and to Valery Tsoi, acting chief of Ivavtodor. Ivanovo prosecutors on Monday confirmed that they had indicted Tsoi on charges of bribery. (2)

Egyptian police have put five Pakistanis on a wanted list. They disappeared immediately after the explosions in the Sharm el-Sheik resort. The story gives details, saying that the number of suspects is 50 people, who are all foreigners. (2, Kommersant, 11, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1, 8, Vremya Novostei, 1, 2, Gazeta, 7)

London police on Monday made public the names of two out of the four perpetrators of the explosions in London on July 21. The story describes their actions. (2, Noviye Izvestia, 4)

Another attack (the fourth one this month) on money collectors was made in Moscow on July 25. The brief gives details. (2, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2, Gazeta, 9, Vremya Novostei, 3, Trud, 2, MK, 1)

The judge in the Supreme Court on Monday began to read a verdict in the unprecedented case: three federal judges (their names are given) are accused of abusing their high posts. The story details their case, saying that the reading of the verdict may last for the whole week. (1, 3, Kommersant, 4, Gazeta, 1, 8, Vremya Novostei, 3, Noviye Izvestia, 6, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 9, MK, 1, 2)

Georgia' s Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili on July 25 reported about the arrest of three residents from South Ossetia, who are suspected of committing a terrorist act near the regional police building in Gori on Feb. 1. The story comments on the accusation, saying that the Russian side has rejected this information. (3, Kommersant, 9, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 8, Vremya Novostei, 3, Gazeta, 2, Trud, 3)

The railway and automobile traffic between Moscow and Crimea on July 23 was paralyzed for almost nine hours, which was caused by ammunition explosions in Ukrainian military storehouses in the Zaporozhye region. The story describes the accident. (3, Kommersant, 4, Vremya Novostei, 1, 2, Noviye Izvestia, 6)

The Armed Forces' Sport Committee, starting this year, has introduced a special subject " Physical Training " at military higher schools. The story examines the aim of this measure. (4)

The annual report " The Military Might of China" submitted by the American Defense Department to the US Congress concentrates on the growth of China' s military-political might, which causes concern from the Pentagon. The story examines the report, focusing on China' s military doctrine and on experts' views. (5)

The story sums up results of the recent military exercises codenamed Vostok-2005 in the Far East, focusing on their aims. (5, Vremya Novostei, 4)

The Industry and Energy Ministry on Monday endorsed a three-year plan to boost the automotive industry. The story examines priority measures contained in the plan. (6, 8, Kommersant, 6, Vremya Novostei, 7)

Alexander Kalyagin, Chairman of the Theatrical Workers' Union, reflects on the need of censorship in Russia. (6)

The Economic Development Ministry on Monday submitted to the Finance Ministry a new coordinated forecast of the country' s social and economic development in the next three years. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov reported to the president that, according to the new forecast, an increase in the gross domestic product in 2006 is expected to be 5. 8 percent rather than 5, 6 percent. The story examines the new forecast and the budget spendings. (7, Kommersant, 6, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2, Vremya Novostei, 2)

The Federal Service for State Statistics (Rosstat) at a session today will present its plan to hold next year the all-Russian agricultural census, the first such one over the past 85 years. The story examines the project and its aim. (7)

The sum of the Yukos suit against Rosneft, Baikalfinansgroup, Gazprom and another 7 companies and state enterprises on the case concerning the scandalous auction to sell Yugansknneftegaz has been increased by almost 75 billion rubles -- up to 398. 8 billion rubles. This was a decision of the Moscow Arbitration Court on Monday. Brief. (7, Vremya Novostei, 8 )

Rosbank on Monday announced that it has increased its capital by almost 7. 5 billion rubles. The story comments on the bank' s move, saying that, according to analysts, other banks will follow its suit soon. (8, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 4)

The quotations of securities of the NOVATEK oil and gas company on Monday rose by 3. 9 percent and capitalization reached $6, 073 billion. Brief. (8)

The feature story describes children' s religious summer centers that have become very popular nowadays. The reasons are explained. (9

The Public Opinion Fund this month has conducted an opinion poll to see how Russians regard the sanitary state of their streets and courtyards. The story examines interesting results. Four pie-charts. (9)

Moscow city authorities, starting Aug. 1, will open a hotline (200-67-30) to listen to Muscovites' complaints. Brief. (9)

The Mirax Group corporation in Beijing on Monday signed an agreement with the Chinese State Engineering-Construction Corporation on building a 340 meter-high tower " A" of the Federatsia complex in Moscow. Brief. (9, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 3)

KOMMERSANT (26/7/2005)

Vyacheslav Fetisov, head of the Federal Agency for Physical Culture and Sport (Rossport) , stated on Monday that the existing system of sport power in the country should be reformed through a considerable mounting of Rossport' s role in the Olympic Committee of Russia (OKR) . The story reveals the essence of his statement, saying how OKR head Leonid Tyagachev has responded. (1, 16)

The Kiev Court of Appeal on Monday ruled in the Prosecutor General' s Office favour in its suit on declaring illegal the privatization of the controlling stake of the Nikopol Ferroalloys Plant (NZF) company. This means that Renova owner Viktor Vekselberg and Evrazholding President Alexander Abramov will be unable to buy shares of NZF from the Interpipe holding. The story examines the court' s ruling. (1, 5)

Unidentified assailants in Moscow over the weekend killed Vardan Kushnir, manager and owner of the English-Language Center (former the American English Center) The story describes how it happened. (1, 4 )

President Putin in the Kremlin on Monday awarded state decorations to the best people, as he said. The story describes the ceremony and its lucky participants. (2, Trud, 2, Gazeta, 6, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 2)

The Kremlin administration on Monday made public results of the open competition for making research papers that should help authorities hold various reforms, including tax one. The story examines several winners. (2)

Ukraine has proposed Iran bilaterally to launch preparations for the construction of the Iran-Europe gas pipeline. Prime Minister Julia Timoshenko stated late last week that the project is a priority for her country and should be implemented soon. Ukraine' s Fuel and Energy Ministry and Iran' s Oil Ministry on Sunday signed a memorandum on selecting a rout for the pipeline already in September. Kiev has developed a project of the pipeline bypassing Russia. The story examines the project, saying that Gazprom is opposing the construction without Russia' s permission. (5, 7, Vremya Novostei, 8)

German Commerzbank is accused of laundering assets of Russian telecommunication companies. Several European newspapers on Monday published new versions of accusations. The story examines them all. (5, 7, Vremya Novostei, 8)

The Central Bank on its Internet-site on Monday posted two drafts of instructions concerning the work of the Central Catalogue of credit histories. The story examines both drafts. (6)

The Moscow Arbitration Court on July 14 declared the Granit bank bankrupt, which means that it will be liquidated. Brief. (6)

Russian Railways (RZH) President Vladimir Yakunin on Monday announced the first personnel reshuffles in his company. The story looks at new appointments. (7)

One of the world leading networks of small wholesale centers -- Makro Cash & Carry -- has launched its business in Russian regions. Thus, the network owner the Dutch company SHV late last week conducted negotiations with authorities in the Sverdlovsk region on the construction of the first two hypermarkets. The story describes the network and its plans in Russia. (7)

President Putin on Monday appointed Vladimir Chizhov new permanent representative of Russia in European associations. Over the past 3 years Chizhov had been Deputy Foreign Minister. The story comments on the appointment. (10, Vremya Novostei, 1, 2)

VEDOMOSTI (26/7/2005)

Group EastLine may lose its main asset--Airport Domodedovo. Rosimushchestvo in court is trying to prove that EastLine has illegally obtained the terminal, around which the largest airport in Russia has sprung up. (A1)

Tax agencies in the Leningrad region decided to levy a tax on land in the cemetery outside St. Petersburg. The Arbitration Court of the North-West District has cut short this attempt, but the " cemetery tax" in many other regions has been imposed and is successfully collected. (A1 )

Investigators of relationships between German Commerzbank and Russian Telecominvest may ask Communications Minister and Information Leonid Reiman and Svyazinvest Director-General Valery Yashin to be responsible, since they are involved in 10-year deals that now cause questions from German and Swiss prosecutors. (A1)

If to assess the actions and plans of the gvt and the presidential administration, it' s no simple matter to single out one and the only path of economic development and the country' s modernization. The story explains why. (A1, A4)

Russia plans to considerably increase its spending on security. Almost 10 billion rubles as against less than 2. 2 billion rubles this year will be spent on anti-terror equipment in 2006. The story comments on the decision, focusing on experts' view. (A2)

The official completion of the military operation in Chechnya has not affected the republic' s economy. The Chechen budget, as before, is being formed from federal money, and regional authorities collect most part of taxes from citizens rather than from businesses. This is stated in the Audit Chamber' s operative report. The story examines its main provisions. (A3)

State Duma deputies will protect the Audit Chamber from the Financial Surveillance Service (Rosfinnadzor) . The story examines special amendments that will help do it. (A3)

In an interview State Duma deputy Alexander Babakov, Chairman of the Rodina Presidium and deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Transportation and Communications, talks about his party, its new strategy today, and about its plans. He also explains how he and Rodina leader Dmitry Rogozin in December 2004 found themselves on Ukraine' s Maidan. (A7)

VEDOMOSTI. COMPANIES & MARKETS SUPPLEMENTVolgotanker on July 20 received a note from Samara tax agencies on results of the check-up of the company' s financial performance in 2002-2003. This was stated by the company' s press service. Brief. (B1)

St. Petersburg dockers on Monday launched a three-day warning strike, demanding better working conditions. This was stated by the port committee of the Russian Dockers Labour Union. Brief. (B1)

According to Rosstat, the volume of oil extraction in Russia, including gas condensate, in January- June 2005 grew by 2. 9 percent as compared with the same period last year and amounted to 229, 880 million tons. Brief. (B1)

The international rating agency Fitch believes that the recent agreement on exchanging assets signed by Gazprom and Royal Dutch/Shell has several advantages for both sides participating in the deal. This is stated in the agency' s press release. Brief. (B1)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development may issue a 72 million euro credit to the joint venture of Severstal and French Air Liquid on implementing a project to divide air products costing 103 million euros. Brief. (B1)

PepsiCo reported to the regulator of the French financial markets AMF that it has no intention to claim Group Danone. This statement should calm down the market that was agitated by rumours on a possible attempt to absorb Danone. Brief. (B1)

Group SOK and Severstal-Avto will become the first automakers in Russia that will use a new regime of assembling autos that allows to import spare parts duty-free. Bureaucrats promise in the next few weeks to sign the corresponding agreement with the plant IzhAvto belonging to Group SOK. (B1)

Moscow city officials have found out that they are unable to privatize the facilities of the housing -utility complex, which means that in order to receive control over all city electrical grids, the city gvt should pay $1 billion or to give its other assets for the grids. (B2)

Canadian Valkyries Petroleum has made a new purchase in Russia--oil deposits of the Lagansky block in Kalmykia with forecast reserves amounting to 110 million tons of oil. The company is willing to pay $28. 5 million for the Kalmykian asset. Experts call this deal beneficial. (B2)

President Putin on July 21 signed amendments to the Law concerning the organization of the insurance matter in Russia. Brief. (B3)

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA (26/7/2005)

Governor of the Kamchatka region Mikhail Mashkovtsev on Monday confirmed that he did not intend to head the region that will appear as a result of the merger of Kamchatka and Koryakia at the end of 2006. Oleg Kozhemyako, who was recently appointed by the president to the post of leader of the Koryak Autonomous Area may become new governor of Kamchatsky Krai. This if happens will give rise to a new tendency and the Kremlin' s policy in relation to regions. The number of leaders not connected with this region or another is increasing among the president' s appointees. Thus, Muscovites or St. Petersburg residents may become new regional managers. The story reveals the essence of the issue, focusing on experts' views. (1, 4)

Domestic leading companies have summed up results of 2004 and formed new management bodies. Last year financially was super - successful for the majority of large state-run companies Another interesting facts is that apart from favourable financial results, there is a growing demand for state bureaucrats to be employed in enterprises' commanding bodies. This, above all, concerns top executives from the Kremlin administration. Thus, seven persons from the president' s close circle by results of 2004 controlled state -run companies with $222 billion assets and net profit exceeding $11 billion. (1, 3)

In an exclusive interview Dmitry Simes, President of the Nixon Center in Washington, comments on contradictions between the USA and Russia in post-Soviet space, and also analyses the situation in Central Asia in connection with Pentagon head Donald Rumsfeld' s current visit there. Simes also forecasts the development of USA-China relations. (1, 11)

United Russia candidates have already launched their campaign for the elections to the Moscow City Duma, despite the fact that an official announcement on the elections will be made not earlier than Aug. 24 and not later than Sept. 4. The interests of United Russia and the Moscow City Duma are presented today by 20 deputies, and the party list will be headed by Mayor Yury Luzhkov. The story examines several candidates. (2)

The story describes petrol soaring prices in June, saying that they increased by 2. 6 percent. The focus is on factors affecting petrol prices and on how the Anti-Monopoly Service and its leader Igor Artemyev regard them. (3)

Many acts of terror in the North Caucasus of late make federal authorities seek special measures to settle the situation. Thus, they are close to an attempt to impose full or partial temporary administration. The story looks at top officials who lately proposed such measures. (4, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 3)

ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA (26/7/2005)

President Putin is expected to sign a decree on almost doubling monthly salaries for the judges, and the Finance Ministry has already transferred money for this purpose. The story comments on the measure. (1, 12)

President Putin in the Kremlin on Monday met with several gvt ministers to discuss urgent economic, financial and social problems. The story examines some of them. (2)

The Foreign Ministry' s (MID) Information and Press Department promises to provide RG subscribers with a special " Information Bulletin" that before was daily given to employees of Russian embassies abroad. In an interview MID spokesman Alexander Yakovenko explains what information will be published in the Bulletin. (3)

The story examines strict measures authorities intend to use in order to punish producers of fake petrol. (4)

According to Interfax-China, oil import to China in June this year decreased by 0. 1 percent (as compared with the figure for the same period last) and amounted to 11. 3 million tons. The story examines the customs report by the Main Customs Board of China. (4)

Nikolai Bordyuzha, Secretary General of the Organization of the Treaty on CIS Collective Security, on Monday took part in the meeting of top officials from regional and international organizations under the UN aegis that took place in New York on July 25-26. In an interview he reveals the aims of his trip and participation in the meeting. (6)

How are modern Gypsies getting on in Russia? What traditions are they observing in their families? What is awaiting the Gypsy people in the future? In an interview Professor Georgy Demetr, President of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of Russian Gypsies, answers all these questions. (7)

Chief State Sanitary Physician Gennady Onishchenko sums up results of the first period (shift) of children' s stay in the country' s special children' s health improvement centers in various regions. (7)

The newspaper today publishes amendments to the election legislation that have been approved by the parliament and signed by the president. In an interview Central Election Commission head Alexander Veshnyakov reveals the essence of several amendments. A list of the political parties that have the right to take part in the elections as of July 12, 2005. (9)

Document. The Federal Law concerning the agreements of concession. Full text (17, 32)

Document. The Federal Law on introducing amendments to the legislative acts concerning the elections and referendums. Full text. (18-26)

NOVIYE IZVESTIA (26/7/2005)

The Industry and Energy Ministry on Monday endorsed measures aimed at implementing the gvt-supported concept of boosting the domestic automotive industry in the next three years. The story examines the plan. (1, 3)

Thirty-six-year-old Kenian Goodwin Kipkemoya Cherkurgor has offered ex-President of the USA Bill Clinton 20 cows and 40 goats if he allows his daughter Chelsea (Sp. ?) to marry him. The story describes the Kenian' s chances. (1, 4)

Chechnya President Alu Alkhanov stated on Monday that the signing of the treaty on dividing powers between Republic of Chechnya and the federal center has been postponed in connection with the adoption of the new Federal Law concerning the economic zones. And his republic will insist on granting it the status of special economic zone. Brief. (2, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2)

The Center for Ethnic Communication " Dialog" has made public results of its poll on the stereotypes connected with representatives of 10 nations. Some results have turned out to be predictable, while others rather unexpected. Thus, in the opinion of respondents, Russians are alcoholics, Ukrainians are lard lovers, Jews are sly and Kurds are freedom fighters. The poll was taken early this summer among 505 students from Nizhny Novgorod institutes. The story examines interesting results. (2)

Parents of 39 activists from the National Bolshevik Party today are expected to submit to the Prosecutor General' s Office an application demanding to release their children, who, in their opinion, are being illegally kept in custody. The story comments on their demands. (2)

Russian Transaero this year plans to obtain four Boeings-747. The company will lease them for 5 years. The brief says how specialists assess them. (3)

The international Ipsos sociological service by order from Associated Press has taken a poll among Americans to see what states they consider the most important for the American economy. Above all, it' s China rather than Russia. The brief looks at results. (3)

State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov on Monday spoke in favour of imposing state monopoly not only on the production but also on the sale of alcohol. The story comments on his statement. (3)

Vice-Mayor Valery Shantsev on Monday signed a decree on increasing monthly salaries for budget workers. The brief looks at their new salaries. (3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 6)

State Duma deputy Otari Arshba reflects on how to help migrants from former Soviet republics to become full-fledged citizens of Russia. The focus is on his concrete proposals. (7)