Press Review

IZVESTIA (27/11/2003)

In defiance of Moscow' s recommendations, the presidential post in Georgia has been actually given to Mikhail Saakashvili (no one in Georgia doubts that he will win the Jan. 4 elections) . Russia could accept any person at this post other than Saakashvili. Through the current negotiations with Adzharia, Moscow lets it be known that it is the zone of Russia' s special interests. The story comments on all these issues, explaining why Adzharia is an effective lever of influencing even such a wilful politician as Mikhail Saakashvili. (1, Kommersant, 9, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1, 4, Vremya Novostei, 1, 2, Gazeta, 4, Novaya Gazeta, No. 89, p. 7, Krasnaya Zvezda, 3, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 1, 5, Zhizn, 18, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2, 3, Sovetsskaya Rossiya, 7)

In an interview Zurab Zhvania, the leader of the Georgian movement " United Democrats" , says in part that the Russian military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki are not conducive to good Georgian-Russian relations. (2)

In an exclusive interview 9 immediately after his official statement to run for president) Mikhail Saakashvili he talks among other things about how he intends to build relations with Russia. (1)

In a far-ranging interview Audit Chamber head Sergei Stepashin shares his view on the fate of his agency and of the Prosecutor General' s Office, on oligarchs and on the Khodorkovsky case. He also talks about how he envisions the new State Duma. (1, 3)

A young man in Cherepovets has had his 9 teeth pulled out and received a deferment from the army. The local military registration and enlistment office has accused him of avoiding the draft. He intends to file a suit. In an interview Valery Kulikov, chief of the Defense Ministry' s Central Military Medical Commission, talks about methods young people invent to avoid the army. (2)

Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky and St. Petersburg governor Valentina Matviyenko has concluded a cooperation agreement. The story focuses on what Yavlinsky has proposed to the governor. (3, Vremya Novostei, 4)

First Deputy Kremlin Administration Head Dmitry Kozak Wednesday assessed as a serious error Moldova' s refusal to sign the Memorandum on settling the Trans-Dniestrian conflict that was proposed by Russia. Along with this, he stated that Russia will meet all obligations. Brief. (3, Kommersant, 4, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1, 9, Vremya Novostei, 2, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 2, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 4)

Entrepreneur Sergei Veremeyenko Wednesday received a certificate of a candidate running for president in Bashkiria. The elections are scheduled for Dec. 7. Brief. (3, Kommersant, 4, Gazeta, 2)

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov at the negotiations with his Polish counterpart in Warsaw on Wednesday discussed the possibility of placing American military bases on the territory of Poland. The story examines results of the negotiations. (4, Kommersant, 9, Vremya Novostei, 5)

Economist Yegor Gaidar, Director of the Institute of the Economic Analysis of the Transition Period, today is expected to present 3 economic books published by his agency. Two of them are devoted to the 1997-1998 crisis and to the restoration of the economic growth in Russia, and the third book features proposals on the next stage of social and economic transformation. In an interview Gaidar comments on these works, focusing on their essence. (5)

Gazprom head Alexei Miller in Minsk on Wednesday held negotiations on launching a joint venture with the Belarussian state-run gas company " Beltransgaz" and on the delivery of Russian gas to Belarussian consumers. The story examines results of the negotiations. (5, Kommersant, 14, Vremya Novostei, 7, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 3)

The Federal Arbitration Court of the Moscow Region today is reported to consider an appeal from UES minority shareholder Deputy Energy Minister Viktor Kudryavy against the Unified Energy Systems company and its CEO Anatoly Chubais. Kudryavy insists on the resignation of Chubais due to the expiration of his contract and his incompetence. Besides that, the State Duma Council today is to decide where or not to put the same issue on Friday' s agenda. In an interview Kudryaby, reveals his viewpoint in the issue. (6)

Vodka distillers have come up with a serious problem -- lack of federal special marks. In view of this, many distilleries have cut their production, and the domestic leading enterprise in the Moscow region -- the Chernogolovka distillery -- has suspended production. The story features the situation. (7)

The Russian offshores will cease to exist starting Jan. 1, 2004. The regions will stop providing tax benefits to big investors. The gvt says that the measure has been dictated by the regional budgets. The story comments on the measure, saying that the regions, where the oil majors Yukos and Sibneft are doing their business, will be the first to suffer from this measure. (7, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 3, MK, 2)

Russia next year will export 240 million tons of oil and increase its oil export by almost 15 percent. Oil; extraction will increase by only 7 million-8 million tons --up to 420 million. This was stated on Wednesday by Transneft President Semyon Vainshtok. The story comments on the company' s plans. (7)

In the opinion of Economic Development Minister German Gref, the Russian ruble will be practically fully convertible in 2007. He stated this at the Russian-Finnish Business Forum in Moscow on Wednesday. Brief. (7, Kommersant. , 13)

Presidential economic adviser Andrei Illarionov dislikes the gvt concept of stabilization fund. In his opinion, the draft bill being considered by the State Duma together with the draft budget-2004 has nothing to do with the classical stabilization fund. Brief. (7, Vremya Novostei, 7)

Surgutneftegaz has received three 5-year licenses for surveying deposits adjacent to the Talakan oil deposit. This was stated by First Deputy Director-General Anatoly Nuryaev. Brief. (7)

The St. Petersburg gvt intends to launch trading in old dilapidated buildings early next year. This was stated by Vice-Governor Yury Molchanov. Brief. (7)

The story examines in detail the main provisions of the bill concerning insurance that was approved by the Federation Council on Wednesday. There is hope that the president will sign it this year. (8)

Prosecutors on Wednesday visited the office of American Steven Michael Tidey (Sp. ?) , who now heads the Yukos-Moskva company (previously it was headed by Vasily Shakhnovsky) The prosecutors conducted a search of his office and confiscated some documents. The story gives details, saying that Steven Tidey has become the first American top manager, who the Prosecutor General' s Office got interested in. (10, Kommersant, 5, Gazeta, 1, 2, Vremya Novostei, 1)

The Supreme Court Presidium on Wednesday acquitted Georgy Oleinik, former chief financier of the Defense Ministry. Meanwhile, Oleinik is continuing to serve a 5-year sentence for another crime. The story describes his case. (10, Kommersant, 1, 5, Gazeta, 1, Vremya Novostei, 3)

The Moscow Tverskoi Court Wednesday obliged the Bolshoi Theater administration to restore ballerina Anastasia Volochkova in her former job. In an interview the ballerina says why she would like to return to the theater that made her suffer. (10, Kommersant, 22, Gazeta, 3, Vremya Novostei, 2, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 8, MK, 2)

The Izvestia Supplement is devoted to Azerbaijan. The focus is several serious problems facing the newly-elected president and his team. (11, 12 )

KOMMERSANT (27/11/2003)

he Central Election Commission(CEC) Wednesday decided to apply to the Supreme Court with a request to cancel the registration of two candidates (their names and parties are given) to the State Duma. The story comments on CEC' s decision. (1, 4, Vremya Novostei, 4) , MK, 2)

The Gosstroi Collegium on Wednesday discussed an issue concerning state support of the mortgage crediting system. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Yakovlev, who visited the session, stated that all draft bills that should accelerate the boosting of this system will be considered by the gvt in the first quarter of 2004. (2)

Unidentified bandits in Severodvinsk on Nov. 25 seriously beat Lidia Loginova, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper " Severodvinskiye Vesti" , and her deputy Alexander Makarov. Brief. (5)

The story reports about new consequences of the fire in the dormitory at the Moscow Friendship University that left 37 students dead. (7, Vremya Novostei, 3, Novaya Gazeta, No. 89, p. 4, 5, Gazeta, 5, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 8)

Israel has forwarded to Russia an official protest against its actions in the UN Security Council. The official note was handed in to the Russian Ambassador to Israel. The story reveals the content of the document. (10)

At the session of the RSPP Management Board, entrepreneurs met their promise to turn the Union into the center for civil initiatives and a crack-down on poverty. (The promise was given by RSPP head to President Putin at the 13th RSPP Congress. ) The entrepreneurs discussed charity initiatives and the Kyoto Protocol. The story describes their decisions. (13)

According to the AK & M agency, the growth of the gross domestic product this year will amount to 6. 3 percent, and in 2004-2005--to 5 percent. Brief. (13)

The Federation Council Wednesday approved the amendments to the budget of the Pension Fund for 2003. The story looks at the major amendments, focusing on the situation around pension reform. (13 )

The gvt commission in charge of administrative reform has found 25 superflouos functions of the Federal Securities Commission that should be liquidated. The story examines them in detail. (14)

The TNK International Company Wednesday published its US GAAP-based operative financial report on its activities in the first 6 months of this year. The story looks at its figures. (15)

The domestic stock market is rapidly recovering. The major stock indices on Wednesday showed an increase of 1. 3 -3. 6 percent. The story examines the new tendency. (15)

UES deputy head Yakov Urinson stated on Wednesday that Stavropolenergo and the Stavropolye regional administration agreed to raise the local energy tariffs in 2004. The story comments on the decision, saying that other regions can follow suit. (15)

Sinopec, a leading oil company in China, stated on Wednesday that China is seeking new sources of oil delivery, because prospects of its further cooperation with Russian s Yukos are unclear today. Kazakhstan will most likely become an alternative oil supplier. (16)

Vedomosti (27/11/2003)

In order to allow the public to see how generous big business is, it decided to talk everywhere and whenever it' s possible about its charity programs. The story looks at some of them. A1)

The leading domestic cosmetic concern " Kalina" through court is demanding 1. 3 million rubles from popular Moscow make-up artist Sergei Szerev, who has allowed himself to take part in an advertising clip of Kalina' s competitor. (A1)

The PricewaterhouseCooper' s company has evaluated the cost of the Central Bank' s Paris affiliate --BCEN-Eurobank. Experts' conclusions show that it' s more profitable to liquidate the bank than to preserve it as business. (A1)

The outcome of the machine-building industry this year will increase by 8 percent. This is what the Industry and Science Ministry has forecast for 2003. The brief gives other figures on this industry. (A1 )

Adzharia' s President Aslan Abashidze on Wednesday asked Russia to abolish visas for his people. The story examines results of his negotiations in Moscow. (A2)

The gvt commission in charge of administrative reform decided to limit the duties of firemen and police. The story looks at the commission' s proposals, saying that the gvt will consider their final document on the functions of the Interior Ministry and Anti-Fire Service on Dec. 11. (S1)

The Tax Ministry intends to issue a departmental instruction. , according to which, starting next year, the VAT tax will be compensated to companies with exports of their goods. The story cites experts' views. (A3)

The Property Ministry today is expected to report to the gvt about the fulfilment of the privatization plan. The ministry promises to sell the main part of state-owned property by 2006. (A3)

In what currency should people keep their savings? Three financial experts share their views. (A4)

President Putin 2 years ago signed a decree on the creation of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Networks. (RTRS) , in which a new unit-- the Federal Center for Distributing Teleradio Programs (FTsRT) -- was created in June 2003. In an interview its Director-General Svyatosdlav Bunyaev talks in detail about his company' s plans. (A5)

Vedomosti. COMPANIES & MARKERS SUPPLEMENT

New big players can appear among UES shareholders. The story examines some of them with their packages of the holding' s stakes. (B1)

The Millhouse Capital company is looking for a buyer for assets of Planeta Group in the wholesale and diary sectors. Among the claimants of these assets is APK Agros, a big agroholding that has been created by Interros. (B1)

Surgutneftegaz operative report for the 3rd quarter shows that the company at that time allocated more than $600 million for long-term financial investments, but where it should be made is not clear. (B1)

United Heavy Machinery plans in a couple of days to sign a $81 million credit agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Devolopment. This was stated by the company' s Director-General Yevgeny Yakovlev. Brief. (B1)

The United Heavy Machinery concern plans in the next 1 or 1. 5 years to conduct IPO on Western markets, which will allow the company to attract about $100 million. This was stated by the company' s Director-General Yevgeny Yakovlev. Brief. (B1)

The German E. ON and Ruhrgas companies before the end of this year should fulfill the instruction from the German Ministry of Economics on the sale of their share in the Verbendnets company Gas. This company controls over 90 percent of the gas market in East Germany. (B1)

French Lafarge is expanding its presence on the Russian market. The company intends to increase the capacity of its Voskresensktsement that delivers products to Moscow consumers. Besides, Lafarge has bought a cement plant -- Uraltsement" in the Ural region. (B2)

South Korean Hyundai intends to create one more base for pushing its autos to the European market In addition to its auto plant in Turkey, it will build another one in Eastern Europe. The company' s expenses will amount to $823 million. (B2)

Transneft head Semyon Vainshtoks has promised to pay record high dividends for 2003 to owners of privileged stakes. The story looks at their size. (B3)

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA (27/11/2003)

The Central Bank in the next few years intends to limit its influence on the current market and to transfer to the floating currency rate. This was stated by First Central Bank (CB) Deputy Head Oleg Vyugin on Wednesday. In his opinion, now is the time to evaluate the ruble rate in a more objective manner. The story comments on his statement, focusing on CB' s policy toward the ruble. (1, 3)

Information was posted in the Internet on Wednesday on an alleged letter by Shamil Basayev to Chechens living in Moscow. The rebel leader has called on his fellows-countrymen to hurriedly leave Moscow after selling their housing, property and cars. The story comments on the letter, saying how the Russian Interior Ministry has reacted to it. (1, 4)

The model of the Monument to the Victims of Genocide and Totalitarian Regime was presented by the Union of Right Forcers (SPS) , human rights activists and businessmen in Moscow on Wednesday. The story describes the event, the model and presentation participants. (2)

The first electrotheater " Pegas" , known today as Dom Khanzhonkova, opened in Moscow 90 years ago. The story describes its origin and interesting history. (8 )

ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA (27/11/2003)

The Transport and Interior (Police) ministries intend to introduce amendments to the Administrative Code, which they have drafted by order from the gvt. The changes will concern millions of citizens, drivers and ordinary pedestrians alike. The point in view is the stepping up of the responsibility for violating the Traffic Rules, or to be more precise, new higher fines for those violations. The story looks at some amendments. (1, 2)

Presidential economic adviser Andrei Illarionov on Wednesday spoke in favour of the construction of private pipelines. This is the first time when a state official spoke in that way. Illarionov proposed a compromise, saying -- Build and own, but you should not privatize what has already been built. The story reveals the essence of his statement. (2)

The story features behind the scenes intrigues during the current parliamentary election campaign, and the position of mass media. (3 )

Russia Wednesday signed a protocol with New Zealand on the completion of the negotiations concerning the access of goods to the market (a small step to the WTO) . This is the first " commodity" protocol in the whole history of the negotiations. It means that New Zealand and Russia have come to agreement on the issue of how to trade in goods after Russia' s accession to the WTO. The story comments on the signed document. (4)

The Foreign Ministry intends to cut the list of documents necessary for crossing the Russian border. CIS travelers will be the first to feel it. The story looks at documents that will still be necessary. (4)

The Federal Expert Textbook Council Presidium on Wednesday held a session, at which Education Minister Vladimir Filippov came out in favour of creating several federal lists of textbooks for secondary school. In an interview Alexander Kondakov, Director of Prosveshcheniye Publishers, comments on the decision. (5)

Staraya Ladoga, this old Russian city, has marked its 1250th anniversary this year. The United Russia party views its restoration as its priority task. In an interview party leader Boris Gryzlov talks about its history and the party' s concrete measures to boost this city economically and culturally. (6)

Senator Ralif Safin Wednesday announced the creation of the Center for Russian Islamic Policy, the expert and analytical organization that would try to bring Russia closer to the countries of the Islamic world. In an interview Safin talks in detail of this organizations, its tasks and participants. (6)

Document. The Pre-Election Platform of the United Russian Party " Rus" . Full text. (10)

Document. The Main Provisions of the Program of the Political Party " The Development of Entrepreneurship" . Full text. (11)

KRASNAYA ZVEZDA (27/11/2003)

President Putin in his recent meeting with top brass at the Defense Ministry singled out the modernization of the Armed Forces as a priority task. The story focuses on the presidential plan and on concrete steps in putting it into effect. (1, 3 )

Document. The Pre-Election Program " From Ruin to Prosperity" of the political party " Yedineniye" (Unity) . Full text. (4)

KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA (27/11/2003)

State Duma Deputy Speaker Lyubov Sliska sums up major results of her agency' s performance (achievements and failures) . (9)