Press Review

		Izvestia Kommersant Vedomosti Vedomosti. Companies and Markets Rossiiskaya Gazeta Noviye Izvestia Argumenty i Fakty Trud Komsomolskaya Pravda

Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru

The Soviet-era passport will cease to be valid on Dec. 31. The remaining 5 million Russians who have not already should hurry to receive new Russian passports. This was the warning from Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin, who focused on problems in this sphere for several categories of citizens. (1,2, Gazeta, 3, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2)

The Public Opinion Fund in Russia and the Clark, Martir, Bartolomeo & Shulman sociological company in the United States conducted opinion polls not long before President Putin's visit to the U.S., asking respondents to answer several questions about the U.S. and its people and about Russia and Russians. A story examines interesting results and a commentary. (1,3)

Oleg Romantsev has become chief coach of the Ramenskoye Saturn-Ren TV soccer team. A story comments on his decision, saying what the team has gained. (1,2, Kommersant, 24, Gazeta (interview), 1, Vremya Novostei, 11, Noviye Izvestaia, 8, Zhizn, 22-24, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 19, MK, 6)

An editorial is devoted to the law concerning obligatory auto insurance that took effect almost 100 days ago. What have Russians gained from it? (2,6)

Starting in 2004 the Moscow government will distribute municipal apartments to people on waiting lists according to new rules. A story examines unpleasant surprises awaiting many Muscovites. (2)

President Vladimir Putin signed the long-awaited decree concerning the Emergency Situations Ministry on Tuesday. A story reveals its essence. (3, Kommersant, 7, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2, Vremya Novostei, 2)

The Federation Council is expected to resume work Wednesday after the summer holidays. This will start with a bill on local government that is supposed to be endorsed. A story also mentions a conflict between Speaker Sergei Mironov, leader of the Party of Life, and Senators who disapprove of his party's activity. (3, Nezavisimaya Gazeta (interview), 1,2)

The Kalininsky District Court in Chelyabinsk has ruled in favor of the Russian Party of Pensioners in its suit against Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, who at a new conference offend party members. A story details the case. (3)

At a new conference Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze shared his impressions about a recent CIS summit. A story looks at his statements . (4)

ExxonMobil stated Tuesday that it's willing to work on the Sakhalin-2 project under conditions of usual taxation, but Russian authorities are not sure how to preserve the license that Exxon has won for Sakhalin-3 and at the same time not violate the new legislation on production sharing agreements. This intrigue is unfolding against the background of persistent rumors about the possible purchase of part of Yukos by Exxon. A story describes the situation with commentaries by Exxon Senior Vice-President Rex Tillerson and by Economic Development Minister German Gref. (5)

LUKoil can quit its participation in the project for developing the Kharyaga oil deposit, one of the three production sharing agreements existing in Russia. A brief tells why. (5, Vremya Novostei,7)

The second session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit took place in Beijing on Tuesday where the prime ministers of six states signed a long-term economic program. Brief. (5, Kommersant, 2, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 4, Vremya Novostei, 2, Gazeta, 1,9, Trud, 4)

On Tuesday Gosstroi explained the new procedure of registering real estate deals. A brief details its essence. (5)

Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said Tuesday that the liberalization of the market in Gazprom shares can begin in 2004. If Gref manages to meet one of the main demands set forth to Russia by the European Union and the WTO, his political star will considerably rise, and so will the price of Gazprom shares. (5, Kommersant, 15)

The government has launched another stage in reform of the natural monopolies. The Russian Railways Co. will become a new monopoly instead of the Railways Ministry. The latter's fate is unclear so far. It may cease to exist. (5, Kommersant, 16, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 3, Trud, 1,2)

U.S. President George W. Bush in a couple of days will decide whether to continue the steel war he launched last year. Any decision threatens to lose him votes at the upcoming elections. And today it's China that is saving the world steel market from a slump, by rapidly turning into a large steel consumer. A story describes the origins of the steel war and the situation on the world steel market today, citing the views of three experts. (5)

A story examines the situation with private deposits in domestic banks in the first six months of the year. Two pie charts are given. (6)

A story reports on how the G-7 summit in Dubai has affected the international currency markets. (6)

Standard & Poor's rating agency published a study into the information transparency of 60 Russian companies. (6)

Itera now knows how to cope with Uzbek President Islam Karimov's threats to reject the transit of Turkmen gas in 2004. The company has asked Gazprom if it can use its contracts to pump gas over CIS territory, and in exchange would hand over pipelines in the Sverdlovsk region and some Turkmen gas. Gazprom is thinking over the proposal. (7, Kommersant, 16)

Alfa-Eko Group, a new shareholder of Megafon, said Tuesday that it has bought 25.1 percent of stock of the cellular operator legally, despite court procedures. Many packages of stakes of Megafon are connected with "secret agreements," which could give rise to new scandals and prevent Megafon merging with Vimpelcom. (7)

Investment in the domestic transport system to 2010 will amount to 4.6 trillion rubles ($150 billion), Deputy Transport Minister Boris Novoseltsev said Tuesday. Brief. (7)

SUAL has launched negotiations with U.S. Alcoa on its possible participation in the Komi Aluminum project, Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin said Tuesday. Brief. (7, Kommersant, 13)

Baltika and Israeli brewery IBB Ltd. have signed an agreement on the sale of Baltika beer in Israel. Brief. (7)

The price of the Chevrolet-Niva off-road vehicle made by the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture will be given in euros from Oct. 1. Brief. (7)

The president of McDonald's on Tuesday announced a new advertising campaign. On Sept. 24 television channels will air the company's ads with the slogan "I'm Loving It." (7, Kommersant, 13)

A story presents an in-depth analysis of the domestic office realty market. Experts' views are also given. (8)

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov on Tuesday visited the Moscow State Gubkin Oil and Gas University, from which he graduated 45 years ago. A feature story describes the visit and his conversations with students there. (9)

Budyonovsk law enforcers have arrested three highly placed police officers. Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov said Tuesday that they had been involved in the creation of an illicit distillery. A story gives their names and crimes. (10, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1,2, Noviye Izvestia,3)

Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Tuesday published an instruction concerning the improvement of the structure of the Cabinet. A story reveals its essence, saying that Kasyanov has actually created a managing structure that if need be could replace ministries and departments. (1, 2, Kommersant, 2)

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Tuesday signed an decree on the reorganization of the financial-economic sections of the government. It envisages, among other things, the creation of a financial markets and property relations department. Federal Securities Commission deputy head Vladimir Milovidov will quit his post in the commission to become head of the new department. (2)

Pavel Chernovalov, the acting director-general of the Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corp., or MNVK, said Tuesday that the owners of 75 percent of the television company intend to sue former TV-6 director-general and current Moskovskiye Novosti editor-in-chief Yevgeny Kiselyov. The shareholders say Kiselyov has failed to return to MNVK the $2.1 million worth of property for which he is materially responsible. A story details the case. (1, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2, Gazeta, 1,3, Vremya Novostei, 2)

Mayor Yury Luzhkov at the Moscow government session on Tuesday announced his decision to run for a third term. The mayoral elections are scheduled for Dec. 7. (3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1,2, Gazeta, 2, Vremya Novostei, 3, Trud, 5)

The St. Petersburg election commission on Tuesday published revised results of Sunday's gubernatorial elections. (3)

The legislative assembly of the Komi republic on Tuesday set the date for a referendum on merging the area with the Perm region. Brief. (4)

Document. The Fund of Civil Freedoms in Kommersant has published seven questions to U.S. President George W. Bush "about his friend President Vladimir Putin." The document is signed by Boris Berezovsky, founder of the Liberal Russia party; Yelena Bonner, head of the Sakharov Fund; Vladimir Bykovsky, a former political prisoner; Ivan Rybkin, leader of the Liberal Russia Party; and Ruslan Khasbulatov, former speaker of the parliament. Full text. (5)

Joseph Edmonson, an employee at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, crashed his car through the gates of the Research Biological Instrument-Making Institute. Its scholars believe the American was testing the security of this facility, which is off-limits to foreigners. A story gives details. (6)

Mayor Yury Luzhkov at a city government session on Tuesday harshly criticized the transport department's program of improving the city transport system by 2006. A story examines the program, focusing on the provisions criticized by Luzhkov. (7)

LUKoil is in talks with the New York Stock Exchange on listing itself there. Analysts say a listing on the NYSE would allow the Russian government to sell its remaining 7.6 percent in the company in a more profitable way. LUKoil's informal road show in the United States is expected to begin Friday, with President Vladimir Putin's participation. (13)

OPEC in Vienna today will open its 127th conference, in which an Iraqi delegation will take part for the first time since the end of the Saddam Hussein regime. (15)

Vedomosti
www.vedomosti.ru



Chukotka Governor Roman Abramovich is continuing to sell his assets in Russia. Thus, early this week he has struck a deal with his long-standing partner Oleg Deripaska to sell 50 percent of Russian Aluminum. Now Deripaska alone controls the leading domestic aluminum holding. This deal will bring Abramovich between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. (A1)

Six leading cellular-phone retail chains have pooled their efforts to crack down on outlets who sell customers untraceable contracts, which allow customers to walk away from their accounts. In a joint letter, dated Sept. 23, they proposed that cellular operators postpone the payment of commissions for new clients, while at the same ousting small competitors from the market. A story reports on how operators have responded to the letter. (A1)

The Natural Resources Ministry has decided what is required for the building of the Angarsk-Datsin oil pipeline, a measure which oil giant Yukos has been demanding for several years. Russian and Chinese officials in Beijing are expected to sign joint documents on Wednesday, which, in Yukos's opinion, would indicate that the project will receive the green light. (A1)

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has announced that he will run for a 3rd term in the upcoming mayoral elections scheduled for Dec. 7. Brief. (A1)

Investment in the domestic transport system will amount to 4.6 trillion rubles ($150 billion) up to 2010. Deputy Transport Minister Boris Novoseltsev announced the estimate on Tuesday. Brief. (A1)

A presidential decree will allow the Emergency Situations Ministry to cut its central apparat and to use the savings to raise wages. (A2)

Government reform has led to the creation of a superdepartment that will monitor the following areas: banking and insurance matters, the securities market, the non-government pension funds, the state-run property board, privatization and bankruptcy. The new department is to be headed by former Federal Securities Commission head Vladimir Milovidov. (A3)

Industry, Science and Technology Minister Ilya Klebanov, intends to cancel the limits on subsidized gas deliveries to chemical enterprises. Gazprom is opposing the decision. (A3)

Critical material about President Vladimir Putin appeared in the Western press ahead of the Russian-American presidential summit. Boris Berezovsky was the most active in this respect, publishing an advertisement in several U.K. and U.S. newspapers, titled "Questions to President Bush About His Friend President Putin". Five experts share their views on the question of what kind of regime Putin is building in Russia. (A4)

Vedomosti. Companies and Markets& MARKETS SUPPLEMENT

Comments Tuesday by Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref raised the market price of Gazprom's shares by 6 percent. He promised investors that from next year foreign and domestic investors would have equal rights to purchase the shares. Gref views the liberalization of Gazprom's share market and the solution of its debt problem as major conditions for reforming the gas sector. (B1)

The Sakhalin-3 project will operate under the national tax regime. This policy was stated Tuesday by ExxonMobil head Rex Tillerson. Brief. (B1)

LUKoil is considering the possibility of delivering diesel fuel to the U.S. market, according to LUKoil vice-president Leonid Fedun. Brief. (B1)

United Heavy Machinery's marine, oil and gas division has signed an agreement of intention with Sweden's Catfish Shipping company that envisages the construction of two tankers for the Swedish company. Brief. (B1)

A top manager will sell Russian television serials and films abroad. A story describes the AMEDIA Studio and its plans for the cinema market in Russia. (B1)

SUAL-Holding is continuing to seek foreign help to realize the $2 billion Komi Aluminum project. The American Alcoa company, the world's leading aluminum producer, has expressed interested in the project. (B2)

LUKoil, which for many years had been working for its participation in developing the Kharyaga oil deposit in the Nenets Autonomous Area, is willing to give it up. The company believes that the Kharyaga operator --French-Belgian Total -- has raised the expenses for the project too high, making it unprofitable. (B3)

The International Financial Corporation has become another potential shareholder of leading domestic bank UralSib, which may receive long-tern credit from IFC. The talks currently under way. (B5)

Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru

Work has begun to restore the Tuzla Spit on the Taman Peninsula. A story describes its history, saying why it is important to restore the spit that has been washed away by the Kerch Strait. A map is included. (1)

At a news conference in Samara on Tuesday, Education Minister Vladimir Filippov spoke about a new school education system that will begin functioning on Sept. 1, 2006. A story examines the plan. (2)

The Health and Interior ministries have signed a joint decree on providing medical aid to homeless and runaway children who are brought to local police stations. The corresponding document is printed in full on page 11. (2)

Over the weekend, Russia and the United States conducted a secret operation to export 13.5 kilograms of weapons-grade uranium from Romania. This is the second joint operation involving Moscow and Washington in Eastern Europe over the past year. A story details the operation. (4)

In an interview, Alfa Capital managing director Anatoly Milyukov talks about several stages of pension reform. (5)

Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov has created a new structure aimed at cracking down on terror, extremism and kidnappings, which is to be called Center T. This structure was formed on the basis of the 3rd operative-search bureau of the main board for fighting organized crime. In an interview the head of the center, Yury Demidov, talks about his job and his agency. (6)

Noviye Izvestia

A story highlights seven-year-old schoolgirl Natasha Shuvalova of the Nikolskoye village outside of Moscow. She is the only pupil in the village's old wooden school, which was left intact by the local villagers despite a plan to tear it down. (1,7)

Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov on Tuesday proposed extending the length of preliminary detention of suspected terrorists from two to 30 days. Human rights campaigners have promised to file a complaint in the Constitutional Court if the proposal is adopted. A story comments on the minister's proposal. (1)

Central Election Commission head Alexander Veshnyakov has actually agreed with the proposal made by the speaker of St. Petersburg's legislative assembly, Vadim Tyulpanov, to impose fines for so-called passive voters. (2)

Civil Rights Committee activists in Moscow conducted a public study over the weekend to see whether or not police detain passers-by to check their documents. They observed the behavior of 30 city policemen, who for a rather short time stopped 150 people, mostly people from the Caucasus and Central Asia. A story gives details. (2)

The Moscow Tverskoi Court was to deliver its verdict Wednesday on 10 suits filed by survivors of the terrorist act at the Dubrovka theater. Moscow government representative Andrei Rastorguyev has said that the defendants are willing to compensate for material damage, but the plaintiffs should reduce the sums stated in their suits. A story examines the cases. (3)

In an interview, Dmitry Belousov, a leading expert at the Center for the Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Prognosis, talks about the factors that may cause price hikes before the end of the year. He also examines food-price fluctuations and inflation between August and September. (4, Komsomolskaya Pravda,6)

A story examines the situation on the domestic grain market, focusing on those who are behind grain-price hikes. (4)

The State Statistics Committee on Tuesday made public figures on changes in petrol prices last week. Moscow Fuel Association Executive Director Grigory Sergiyenko comments on the situation. (4)

Argumenty i Fakty
www.aif.ru

In an interview, Alexander Bedritsky, Director of the state-run Hydro-Meteorological Service, explains what is happening to the weather this summer and fall, focusing on several anomalous phenomena. (3)

In an exclusive interview, Financial Monitoring Committee head and First Deputy Finance Minister Viktor Zubkov discuses the work of his committee in discovering and investigating illegal incomes. (6)

Sweden last week voted against the adoption of the single European currency, the euro. A story asks why and links it with the question of Russia's proposed currency union with Belarus. A story explains why Sweden dislikes the euro. (14)

The scandal surrounding the Korshunovsky Mining-Enriching Combine is coming to an end. Its principal creditor, the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, and the Mechel Steel Group, its owner, have signed an agreement and submitted it to the Irkutsk Region Arbitration Court. The Court next week will decide the fate of the enterprise. A story describes plant and the fallout from the conflict. (15)

A story tries to explain why Russians dislike work and why labor is not valued in this country. The focus is on how Russian workers differ from their Western counterparts. Moskva Supplement. (6)

A story analyses several serious defects that have been found in the government's draft budget for 2004 by the Yabloko faction in State Duma. Above all, they have found a 216 billion ruble ($7 billion) reserve seemingly unnoticed by the government. Svobodny Vzglyad Supplement. (4)

Trud
www.trud.ru

According to official statistics, around 1,778 river vessels are rotting on the bed and banks of the Volga River. A story describes this serious environmental problem, focusing how the boats are polluting the river. (1)

Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru

A fire in the Neskuchny Gardens on Tuesday destroyed the bathing house of Catherine the Great. A story describes the history of the 18th century structure and possible causes of the fire. (3)

Moscow Regional Governor Boris Gromov and his team are giving priority to social programs in the region. (8)