Press Review

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

Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree relating to the holding of State Duma elections on Dec. 7. A new stage of power struggle has begun in Russia that will end by summer-2004 when the new Duma endorses the candidature of a prime minister that will be submitted by the newly-elected president. A story examines the presidential decree that over the next three months promises to be a tough struggle for political parties for the right to draft laws over the next four years. (1,2, Kommersant, 1,2, Rossiiskaya Gazeta (the text of the decree), 1, 3, Gazeta, 1, 3, Noviye Izvestia, 2, Vremya Novostei, 1)

The Moscow Arbitration Court declared the actions of the Anti-Monopoly Ministry legal. The ministry had forbidden the advertising the Flagman Mix alcoholic beverage in the Moscow metro. A story comments on the court's ruling. (1, 2)

The Open Society institute representing the George Soros Foundation in Russia has decided to allocate $7,000 as a grant to restore the Pavlik Morozov Museum in the Gerasimovka village (in the Sverdlovsk region). Wednesday marks 71 years since the Young Pioneer Pavlik Morozov together with his younger brother Fedya were killed when he acted as an informant for Cheka-men about his father's anti-Soviet sentiments. Pavlik Morozov was a hero for Soviet children, whereas today he is a controversial figure. A story describes this Soviet young hero, his museum and the grant. (1, 12)

A hit of the celebration concert on Red Square on City Day on Sept. 6 will be a grandiose laser show that has been brought to Moscow by light- magician Gert Hof. He arrived in Moscow from Germany on Tuesday. In an interview he speaks about his show. (1, 2)

The Communications Ministry Collegium on Tuesday discussed a draft for the concept of boosting the communications services market in the sphere of broadcasting up to the year 2010. The final version of the concept will be endorsed later this month, but what is clear at present is that Russia will gradually reduce the role of satellites in broadcasting throughout the country. (2, Kommersant, 5)

Major renovation is nearing completion in the premises of both houses of parliament. A story describes one-hour excursions that will be organized soon for people to enjoy the majestic looks of the interiors of the State Duma and Federation Council. (3)

Moscow entrepreneur Husein Dzhabrailov on Tuesday withdrew his candidature for the presidential elections in Chechnya. He did this after a visit to the Kremlin late at night on Tuesday. A story comments on his decision, saying that the Kremlin source did not exclude that the president could make a statement on a direct support of the candidature of the present Chechen administration head -- Akhamat Kadyrov. (3, Kommersant, 3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2 Noviye Izvestia, 2, Zhizn, 2 , Vremya Novostei, 1)

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday met with the presidential envoy in the North-Western Federal District Valentina Matviyenko to discuss several acute problems in St. Petersburg. What makes the situation piquant is that Matviyenko is not only the envoy but also a candidate claiming the gubernatorial seat in this city. The president wished her a victory in the elections. All central papers comment on Putin's choice. A story examines main issues they discussed. (3, Kommersant, 1, 3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 3, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 1, 2, Noviye Izvestiya, 2, Vremya Novostei, 1)

The State Council Presidium on Wednesday will hold a visiting session in Rostov-on-Don at which governors will present to the president a program to boost the nation's water utilities. They will also present a projected budget to the government and the Finance Ministry. A story examines the program's major provisions. (3 , Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2)

A story features a meeting in the Kremlin on Tuesday between President Vladimir Putin and his high guest -- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. The program of his two day visit is also given. (4, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 6, Vremya Novostei, 2, MK, 1)

Russia and Poland have endorsed an agreement to impose a visa regime. This document will be signed in a couple of days and will take effect starting Oct. 1. Brief. (4 )

The Finance Ministry and the Central Bank by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov's on Monday evening instruction submitted to the government a joint plan of action to restrain the pace of inflation pace and to consolidate the ruble. The content of the plan is a state secret. According to a government source it contains "real data on the inflation pace and the financial situation." A story reflects on talk around this secret document, citing the view of Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin. (5)

The fate of a project to rebuild the Angarsk-Datsin oil pipeline is unclear. The State Ecological Expertise Commission could give a negative resolution on the project due to considerable ecological risks. A story comments on the problem, saying that the construction of the pipeline to China may be dragged on for an indefinite time. (5, Kommersant, 1, 6)

The government in order to protect the legal alcohol market and its permanent clients from black-market vodka intends to raise the minimal vodka prices. Market experts believe that prices should be doubled. The Economic Development Ministry is drafting proposals. A story comments on the issue, citing several experts' views. (5)

According to the CIS Inter-State Statistics Committee the highest growth of industrial production among CIS countries in January 2003 to July 2003 as compared with the same period last year was in Moldova. A brief gives figures for all CIS countries, including Russia. (5)

The government is expected to issue a decree concerning the creation of wholesale generating companies. This was stated by Economic Development Ministry spokesman Vyacheslav Kravchenko. Brief. (5 )

The Unified Energy Systems (UES) holding is launching the reorganization of another six energy companies (their names are given.) This was stated by the monopoly's administration. Brief. (5 )

Shareholders of the Russian Communal Systems company, according to the law on joint-stock companies, have paid for the company's charter capital. Brief. (5)

Itera companies group Tuesday suspended its gas supply to Tbilisi due to Tbilgaz's huge debt. Brief. (5, Kommersant, 6, Vremya Novostei, 1)

The Central Bank, starting Sept. 3, has revoked the license for banking operations from the commercial Bank of Support of the Armed Forces (or Military Bank.) The brief states the reason. (6 , Kommersant, 5)

Permanent missions and affiliates for foreign organizations working in Russia should receive new taxpayer identification numbers of (INN) before Jan. 1, 2005. Brief. (6)

American political scientist Steven Kohen believes that the U.S. administration should pardon the foreign debt of the former Soviet Union. Brief. (6 )

A story examines the current situation on the world stock markets. (6 )

The Ilyushin Aviation Complex and the Tashkent Aviation- Production Association have received a preliminary contract on the delivery to China of 20 Il-76 military transport planes. This was announced by Ilyushin Complex Director-General Viktor Livanov. The Russian side on Tuesday stated the possibility of removing plane construction from Tashkent to Voronezh. This removal will cost $130 million. A story comments on the project, citing experts ' views. (7)

The conflict around the Korshunovsky GOK could soon be resolved. Mechel Group, the owner of the enterprise's controlling stake, has paid to the state a considerable part of GOK's debt. (7)

Chicken quarters, a popular food for poor people, have gone up in price by more than 50 percent over the past four months. Not only prices of U.S. imported poultry meat are rising but also domestic chicken prices. A story gives figures to illustrate the point. Experts share their views. (7 )

The Wimm-Bill-Dann company on Tuesday made public the results of its performance in the first half of 2003. A brief offers several figures, featuring the company's positive results. (7, Kommersant, 7)

Severstal and SMS Demag (Germany) plan in September to sign a contract on the delivery of basic technological equipment for building a line of polymer coatings with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons. Brief. (7)

The Finnish engineering company Metso Oyj, a world leading producer of equipment for the pulp and paper industry, has won a tender for the right to reconstruct the Segezhsky Pulp and Paper Combine (Karelia). Brief. (7)

The 16th Moscow International Book Fair will open on Wednesday in the All-Russia Exhibition Center (former VDNKHa). A story highlights the event, its motto and the participants. A list of writers is published which includes the dates of their meetings with readers at the fair. (9, Kommersant Supplement "Kniga")

Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru

Chief of the exploded Mozdok military hospital Lieutenant Artur Arakelyan was released from jail on Tuesday. He was accused of criminal carelessness and failure to fulfill orders. A story details his case. (4, Gazeta, 3)

The Bashkir Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into two criminal cases on illegal drug trade that involve top policemen .A story examines the cases, focusing on several suspects. (4)

The Uralalmaz mine is to be reorganized with Israeli businessman Lev Levayev receiving control of 50 percent of the enterprise. This project has been approved by Perm regional governor Yury Trutnev. A section of Uralalmaz shareholders is, however, opposing the project. A story explains why. (5)

The value of the dollar on the domestic financial market has been rising for a second week already. Its further fate will depend on the Central Bank's actions. A story gives figures to illustrate this point. (6 )

The Moscow government has selected a locality for removing industrial enterprises from the city center. A story describes the city project and the locality in the city outskirts. (6, Gazeta, 3, Vremya Novostei, 2, MK, 2)

The Moscow PIK companies group has bought a 98.9 percent stake from the Federal Property Fund in the Glavstroiprom company, having accumulated the property of former construction units of the Russian army. A story examines the deal. (7)

Igor Syrtsov has been appointed Director General of the federal state-run unitary enterprise Russia Post. Brief. (7 )

Turkmenia's President Saparmurat Niyazov has signed a decree on abolishing the Justice Ministry and on passing over its functions to the newly-created Ministry of Fairness. A story comments on Niyazov's reform. (9, Vremya Novostei, 3, MK, 2)

Georgia and Russia in Tbilisi on Tuesday launched a two-day session of talks on several serious military issues, including deadline for withdrawing Russian military bases from Georgia. Brief. (9 )

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on Tuesday made two significant personnel decisions -- he fired Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko and appointed Konstantin Grishchenko to his post. A story comments on Kuchma's decision. (10, Vremya Novostei, 3)

Vedomosti
www.vedomosti.ru

The Moscow government has allotted large plots of land in the city outskirts so as to move industrial enterprises from the city center. A story examines the project. (A1)

Alfa-Bank's program to move Russia's foreign debt into the budget debts of telecommunications companies will embrace not only Rostelecom and Northwestern Telecom. The bank will also become a large creditor of another five interregional companies of Svyazinvest. Vneshekonombank, which sold Soviet-era debts to Alfa, has helped it strike these deals. (A1)

Dutch pharmacies began selling marijuana on Sept. 1 to patients who have a doctor's prescription. A story comments on the decision. (A1)

Elections for the State Duma, according to a presidential decree, will take place on Dec. 7. Central Election Commission head Alexander Veshnyakov said Tuesday that 44 parties have been registered by the Justice Ministry. Brief. (A1)

According to the Energy Ministry the volume of oil and gas condensate over January 2003 to August 2003 increased by 11.2 percent compared with the same period last year to 275.12 million tons. Brief. (A1)

President Vladimir Putin at a Kremlin meeting Tuesday with presidential envoy in the Northwestern Federal District Valentina Matviyenko wished her victory at the upcoming gubernatorial elections in St. Petersburg. Matviyenko's rivals got indignant at the head of state's participation in the election campaign in support of one of the candidates. (A2)

Former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Konstantin Grishchenko has been appointed to the post of Ukraine's Foreign Minister. A story comments on the appointment. (A2)

Russia and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to cooperate in the oil and gas sphere. A story describes the Russian-Saudi summit in the Kremlin on Tuesday, focusing on both sides' interests in their mutual cooperation. (A2)

The State Council's working group believes that a 12-year overhaul of the government water system will cost almost $27 billion. A story examines the government's program. (A3)

Press Minister Mikhail Lesin said that the Central Election Commission sets too many restrictions on mass media in the period of elections. How will mass media behave under the threats of sanctions? Six experts share their views. (A4)

In an interview the president of the domestic advertising group DDB, Sergei Krivonogov, examines the situation on the domestic advertising market, focusing on its participants and clients. (A5)

Vedomosti. Companies and Markets& MARKETS SUPPLEMENT

Highly regarded financiers and heads of the boards of directors at MDM-Bank and Menatep, Andrei Melnichenko and Platon Lebedev, will probably have to quit their posts in the banks that they co-own. (B1)

The government in September will probably not decide where to build an oil pipeline to export oil to Southeast Asia. Natural Resources Deputy Minister Kirill Yankov said existing oil pipelines do not suit environmentalists. (B1)

Ruspromavto and structures affiliated with it have bought about 100 percent of an additional share issuance of the Gorky Auto Plant (GAZ). Brief. (B1)

The Uralkaly fertilizer company intends to take a seven-year, $75 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development This in formation is contained the in the bank's press release. Brief. (B1)

Gazprom is continuing its struggle for control over the Azot Agro-Chemical Corporation that it lost earlier this year. A story examines what its opponents are doing in order to not lose this company. (B2)

The leading Hungarian oil and gas monopoly MOL may sell its gas distribution assets. This decision was approved Monday by an extraordinary meeting of MOL shareholders. (B2)

Standard & Poor's has raised ratings of nine Russian banks. The agency has noted an improved economic situation in the country and good banking conditions. (B3)

DeltaKredit Bank over the next several months plans to increase its charter capital to $42 million from $17 million. This was announced by Bank President Nikolai Shitov. Brief. (B3)

Guta Group has revealed its plan to launch a joint venture with the Moscow government: a confectionery holding. Its basis will be the Ernesta company, part of the group. A story details the plan. (B5)

Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru

A document that laying out state assistance to the poor went into effect Wednesday. . A story details the document's main provisions. (1,2)

In an interview, head of Book Exhibitions and Fairs, Nikolai Ovsyannikov, talks about the 16th Moscow International Book Fair that opened on Wednesday. He mentions some of the event's programs. (1, 8)

Rossiiskaya Gazeta published a state-produced list of hotel classifications in the city. A story comments on the document, and the full text is provided. (1, 9, 10)

The new federal program that aims to transform the country's armed services into a volunteer-based body does have a catch. A story provides details and examines the program. (1, 2)

At a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma suggested that an agreement on forming a single economic zone in the region may be signed in Yalta later in the month. A story examines the situation, saying that only Belarus opposes the agreement. (2)

Four were killed and two injured in a road accident Tuesday on Kutuzovsky Prospekt. A story provides details. (2)

In an interview, Press Minister Mikhail Lesin comments on the recent law on election regulations, arguing that journalists abide by certain rules during the country's political process. (3)

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev comments on President Vladimir Putin's statement of support for a proposed UN resolution in Iraq. (4)

The United States is discussing the creation of a new nuclear charge. A story provides details on the suggested program, as well as factors influencing the country's proposal. (4)

In an interview, First Deputy Foreign Minister Eleonora Mitrofanova talks about her professional responsibilities and comments on the present trends in foreign migration to Russia. (5)

Noviye Izvestia

A law requiring drivers to obtain insurance has been in effect for three months. A story comments on the results of the measure thusfar, noting that road accident compensation will not be offered until mid-2004. (1, 7)

A story lists some outlandish promises different political parties have made in order to win popular support. (2)

At a news conference Tuesday, analyst Gleb Pavlovsky commented on future threats to Russia. A story comments on his pronouncements. (2)

The country's centralized testing system has proven seriously flawed. A story explains methods developed by a local computer hacker to provide test answers to students in advance. (3)

Argumenty i Fakty
www.aif.ru

What is the nature of President Vladimir Putin's daily briefings? Is any information being concealed from him? Former presidential Press Secretary Vyacheslav Kostikov answers these and other questions. (4)

In an interview, Mikhail Delyagin, economist and former economic aid to Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, comments on recent instances of privatization. (6)

The newspaper offers a list of cultural events to take place Saturday and Sunday to mark the annual City Day. Moskva Supplement. (1) (Zhizn, 19)

In an interview, First Deputy Mayor Oleg Tolkachev explains how his commission on city-owned property and land will add funds to the city's purse. Moskva Supplement. (5)

A story examines the recent trend in skyrocketing prices of Azeri-owned property in Moscow, while also including reactions by law enforcement officials. Moskva Supplement (6)

The Gorky central park will mark its 75th anniversary on City Day. A story examines a special program planned to mark the occasion. Moskva Supplement. (7)

Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru

A story features a gay couple that got married for 15,000 rubles ($500) in a Nizhny Novgorod church. (2)

It has been reported that self-exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky intends to run for a seat in the State Duma from Khakassia. A story comments on the situation. (3)

Economist and State Duma deputy Sergei Glazyev recently published a book that offers Russians means to shake off poverty. A story reviews the book. (6)

In an interview, director of Prosveshcheniye Publishers, Alexander Kondakov, examines several problems schools are facing this year, noting certain regions' textbook shortages. (7)

Moskovsky Komsomolets
www.mk.ru

Construction of the third Moscow Ring Road will be complete in a few months. A story describes the project, focusing on builders' efforts to complete it on time. (1, 2)

A Moscow Court session of the case of murdered Moskovsky Komsomolets journalist Dmitry Kholodov began Tuesday, despite the absence of defendant Colonel Pavel Popovskikh. A story provides details. (1,2)

According to new measures passed by Moscow City Hall, passengers on bus, tram and trolleybuses wearing dirty clothes will be fined. A story examines the rules. (1)

300 informational billboards written in five languages will appear on Moscow streets by next year. A story describes the aim of this campaign. (1)

Foreign cruise ship passengers without visas will be able to stay in Russia for no longer than 72 hours, according to the Foreign Ministry. A story examines the new document. (1)

Moscow authorities have approved the design of an honorary badge to be awarded to local scientists. A story looks at the design. (1)

According to a statement delivered the Prosecutor General's Office on Tuesday, the separate investigations into the recent blast of the military hospital and a bus carrying servicemen in Mozdok have been solved. Brief. (2)

It is reported that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, who arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, is to attend the Moscow International Book Fair, which will display his recent book, "Ukraine is not Russia." Brief. (2)

At a meeting Tuesday, the Education Ministry discussed the beginning of the new academic year, focusing on the state of low teacher wages. The newspaper includes a table showing teachers' salaries in 2001 and 2003. (2)

In an interview, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin talks about his family, his favorite books and his general daily schedule. (3)

In an interview, General Vasily Khristoforov, head of the Registration and Archives Funds Board of the Federal Security Service, talks about how state secrets are preserved. (3)