Press Review

		Izvestia Kommersant Nezavisimaya Gazeta Rossiiskaya Gazeta Trud Krasnaya Zvezda Komsomolskaya Pravda Moskovsky Komsomolets

Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru

Ulan-Ude in the Buryatia region is the most developed Russian city for disabled people to live in. They have received free city maps that show 176 pharmacies, shops, post offices and other facilities where they can go in their wheelchairs without any problem. Galina Gorbatykh, head of the Buryat Barrier-Free Environ Fund, describes the all the comforts disabled people can enjoy in her city. (1,2)

Two cities in the Moscow region, Kolomna and Podolsk, have created a special system to register disabled children. This system to effectively distribute resources, presently not enough for all the local disabled children. A story examines the system. (1)

The 20th annual MTV Video Music Awards, the most prestigious award in the music video industry, took place in New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday. A story highlights the winners. (1, Kommersant, 8, Trud, 4)

An editorial is devoted to the school bazaar that today, unlike Soviet timers, offers a rich variety of items required for the beginning of the new school year. This is exactly what has changed for the better in this country over the past 20 years. (2)

The three-day, six-sided negotiations in Beijing over North Korea's nuclear program ended Friday without mutual threats or concrete results. Participants agreed to meet again within two months. A story describes the last day of the talks, focusing on several views and conclusions. (2, Kommersant, 4, Krasnaya Zvezda, 3)

The Izvestia Supplement is devoted to science: discoveries and commentaries. (3-6)

British scholars have made sensational discoveries at sea and on land. A fragment of the sunken galley of King Henry VIII was raised from the seabed on the southern coast of England, with the tomb of his brother uncovered in the Worchester Cathedral. A story opens these pages of history. (3)

The annual Moscow International Book Fair will take place at the All-Russia Exhibition Center, formerly VDNKhA, on Sept. 3 to Sept. 8. Several publishers will represent the Academy of Sciences. Nikolai Avanesov, first deputy director-general of the International Academic Publishing Company Nauka/Interperiodika, describes his company's participation in the fair. (3)

Psychiatrist Ernest Tsvetkov's book "The Clinic of the Evil, the Psychoanalysis of Sin" has appeared in bookshops. The author believes that sin is a psychopathological problem rather than a moral one. A story reviews the book interpreting sin as a psychological phenomenon or as an "illness of the soul," focusing on the author's unexpected conclusions. (3)

A story features supersecret physicist Oleg Lavrentyev, a living legend of 20th century physics, at the Kharkov Physical and Technical Institute. In 1950 he first set the task of using guided thermonuclear synthesis for peaceful energy and designed the first nuclear reactor. Twenty-four-year-old Lavrentyev then proposed the design of the hydrogen bomb. (4)

Moscow State University researchers have arrived to the conclusion that gender inequality has remained in the majority of Russia's developed regions. Brief. (4)

Sakhalin volcanologists for the first time in the world have developed a metal, called renium, from volcanic gases of the volcano Kudryavy located on the Kuril island Iturup. Brief. (4)

Five highly-regarded education specialists on the eve of the new academic year share their views on school's role and place in training the scientific elite of the country. (5)

A story examines several novelties awaiting schoolchildren and their parents in the new school year. (5, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 23, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 8)

The chief state sanitary physician has signed a decree ordering a sanitary epidemiological study of biologically active additives, or BADs. This document concerns a huge number of BADs -- over 4,000 have already been registered in Russia. They have caused discussions and even scandals. In an interview Health Ministry expert Anatoly Petukhov talks about this document, focusing on its expediency. (6)

Yekaterinburg authorities have summed up intermediate results of the regional Mother and Child program, which has been in effect for three years. The birthrate in the region during this period has increased by 10 percent and infant mortality has decreased by 5 percent. About 4,000 children more than expected will be born here this year. A story looks at the results of this program. (6)

Natural Resources Ministry inspectors and Defense Ministry specialists on Friday completed their inspections of the air and soil in several Moscow districts. The first results are troubling: Lichens that are the indicators of clean air do not grow on trees within the boundary of the Garden Ring, and the sand in children's sandboxes is contaminated with lead, zinc and arsenic. A story examines the alarming results of specialists' inspections. (7, MK, 2)

Only 7 percent of Muscovites use laundries regularly, with 9 percent using them from time to time. A story examines the four main reasons for this low demand. (7)

The Moscow government has endorsed the concept of eliminating measles in the city. Mayor Yury Luzhkov has taken responsibility for eradicating this dangerous children's disease in Moscow by 2010. City doctors note that the number of measles cases in the city over the past 10 years has decreased. A story gives figures to illustrate the point, focusing on how city doctors are cracking down on this illness. (7, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 7)

Metal detectors may be installed soon in all Moscow schools because of frequent threats of terrorist acts in the city. This was announced by Mayor Yury Luzhkov on Friday. Brief. (7)

The Athens court of appeal Friday freed former media magnate Vladimir Gusinsky from Athens' Korydallos prison on a $60,000 bail. A story details his case. (8, Kommersant, 1,3, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 6, MK, 2)

Kaliningraders have sent a letter to first lady Lyudmila Putin, asking her to help them protect trees that are being cut down for a construction site. Residents have appealed to her because she grew up in Kaliningrad. A story offers the letter. (8)

A bloody road accident in Mordovia on Thursday left 11 people dead and another 20 injured. A story details the tragedy. (8, Kommersant, 4, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2, MK, 2)

The Moscow Basmanny Court extended the detention of Menatep head and a major Yukos shareholder Platon Lebedev up to Oct. 30. This was announced by Lebedev's lawyer Yevgeny Baru. Brief. (8)

The Izvestia Supplement is devoted to Kyrgyzstan, which is celebrating its Independence Day on Saturday. In an interview President Askar Akayev talks about his republic's good relations with Russia. (9)

Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru

A story describes a diplomatic scandal in Estonia caused by the Russian Embassy's First Secretary Nikolai Shcherbakov. A story describes his behavior, saying that over this weekend he had to leave Estonia. (1)

President Vladimir Putin on Friday arrived in Italy at the invitation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who will receive him at his posh villa in Sardinia. A feature story describes Putin's arrival, focusing on the many surprises awaiting the Russian president at the villa. (1,2, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 3, MK, 1,8)

A powerful fire burned the main oil pipeline in Chechen-Aul in Grozny's outskirts on Friday. A brief says that unidentified thieves intended to steal crude oil. (1)

Federal Interior Ministry troops chief commander General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov in Khankala on Friday presented his deputy Colonel-General Valery Baranov as the new commander of federal troops in the North Caucasus. General Baranov commanded the federal troops there from July 2000 to October 2001. A story comments on his appointment. (2)

A story examines scandals as part of the current gubernatorial election campaign in St. Petersburg scheduled for Sept. 21. (3)

Central Election Commission Chairman Alexander Vershnyakov met with federal radio and television company heads on Friday to discuss how the mass media should cover the State Duma election campaign that will begin in early September. Television channels heads confessed that never before during previous elections have they worked in such tough conditions. A story describes the meeting. (3)

The Justice Ministry for the fourth time on Friday refused to register the National Bolshevist Party as a political party. A story looks at the main reasons. (3)

The second round of the presidential elections is taking place in Karachayevo-Cherkessia on Saturday. In the first round on Aug. 17, head of the National Bank Mustafa Batdyev received 41.67 percent of votes and the present President Vladimir Semyonov got 36.92 percent. A story looks at two scandals connected with the election campaign, saying they will not prevent elections from taking place. (3)

The Tyumen Oil Company, or TNK, and British BP on Friday announced the launch of the TNK-BP holding. As it turned out, the united company will not include BP projects in Sakhalin but will include a 50 percent share of TNK in Slavneft. A story examines the scheme of the deal, saying TNK shareholders will earn an additional $1.55 billion. (5)

The UES Board of Directors at a session on Friday discussed the restructuring of northern energy subsidiaries and forming a committee on audits. A story describes the session's decisions, focusing on the problem of reprivatization of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station. (5)

Agence France Presse on Friday reported the possible closure of the French company TATI. The fate of this leading retail network in Europe will be decided in court next Tuesday. Its office in Russia said TATI will continue its business irrespective of the court decision. (5)

The Financial Monitoring Committee is in a hurry to fulfill the new recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and to expand its sphere of influence. Committee head Viktor Zubkov announced that draft amendments will be submitted to the government in early September that impose criminal punishment for laundering illegally earned money. (5)

Natalya Burnusova, who represents the interests of the new owners of BIN-Bank and the Inter-Bank Investment Groups, on Friday took up her duties as president of the federal research production center Energia in Voronezh. A story examines Burnusova's duties and the new owners. (5)

Interkhimprom Group has bought a 26 percent share of the stakes in Chinese chemical plant Juhua Ftorocemical Co. Ltd. in the Guandun Province. Brief. (6)

Novosibirsk Sibakadembank director-general Andrei Bekarev and Khabarovsk Dalcombank president Andrei Shlyakhovoi have signed a memorandum on cooperation. Brief. (6)

Russia's debt to the Paris Club of creditors in 2004 will decrease by $3.5 billion and as of Jan. 1, 2005 will amount to $42.9 billion. The biggest of Russia's creditors within the framework of the Paris Club will be Germany. Brief. (6)

According to the State Statistics Committee, the federal budget over the first six months of this year was fulfilled with a 184.2 billion ruble ($6 billion) surplus (a year ago the figure was 162.8 billion). The overall sum of revenues of the federal budget in the first half of this year was 1.244 trillion rubles. A brief cites several other figures on the budget. (6)

People's Artist of Russia Yury Saulsky, who in the 1970s did a great deal to develop jazz in Russia, died in Moscow at the age of 75. A story describes his brilliant musical career (8, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2, MK, 1,8 s)

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Friday announced the cancellation of the Yalta chess game for the world champion title between Ruslan Ponomaryov and Gary Kasparov. A story comments on the major reason behind his decision. (11, Izvestia, 11)

Nezavisimaya Gazeta
www.ng.ru

Moscow's plans to create a single economic zone were thrown into doubt Friday when Ukraine and Belarus came out against them -- saying they don't like to play by Russian rules. A story examines their stands. (1,4)

Chechen administration head Akhmad Kadyrov told journalists at a news conference on Friday about a letter he has sent to power agency leaders in Russia accusing them of many crimes being committed in the republic. A story reveals why Kadyrov, the No. 1 Chechen presidential candidate, wrote the letter. (1,2)

A new information analysis system will be presented in early September. This system will be able to show the coverage given by the mass media report on any particular company, party or person. A story examines the new measure. (1,2)

This past week has a busy one for the Armed Forces. A story examines their activities in detail. (2)

The Gosstroi Collegium held a session on Friday, where its head Nikolai Koshman said that the development of the metro in Russia is behind schedule. He cited figures to illustrate the point, saying that the federal government is unwilling to allocate funds for metro development. Koshman expressed willingness to make his agency responsible for distributing and regulating metro funds. (3)

According to The Financial Times, a leading American company, in which George Bush Sr. plays a leadership role, intends to launch a $500 million Russian-American investment fund. A story comments on this news, saying what analysts think. (3)

Union of Right Forces, or SPS, co-leader Boris Nemtsov on Friday arrived in Yekaterinburg to present his plan for reforming the housing-utility sector. A story examines it in detail. (3)

In an interview SPS co-leader Irina Khakamada speaks about which St. Petersburg gubernatorial candidate she supports and why. She also says what political parties she thinks will win the State Duma elections in December. She also talks about corruption, saying corruption in Russia is an environment that shapes practically all decisions. (5)

In a far-ranging interview State Duma deputy Ahmed Bilalov, spokesman for the Duma's Security Committee, talks about the present criminal situation in Dagestan, focusing on the problems of extremism in the North Caucasus. (5)

Feature journalist Alexander Bovin reflects on the role of power agencies (the Federal Security Service and police) as well as the Armed Forces in conducting civil reforms. (6)

Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru

Document. The State Statistics Committee produced a document covering the main social and economic indices of Russia's Regions over the first six months of 2003. Full text is given with a commentary by State Statistics Committee head Vladimir Sokolin. (29/8/2003), (1,9,10-11)

Deputy Prime Minister Galina Karelova spoke about the general tendency of wage arrears to decrease at a news conference on Friday. She said wages for budget workers will be raised by 33 percent from Oct. 1, 2003. A story comments on her statement, saying what could prevent the government from keeping this promise. (3)

Highly regarded economist Yevgeny Yasin, a science leader at the State University- Higher School of Economics, talks about which currency bank account holders should keep their money in. (4)

Financial Monitoring Committee head Viktor Zubkov on Monday made the sensational statement that Russia in late September will participate for the first time in a regular session of the Financial Action Task Force. A story looks at the agenda. (4)

The terrorist act in Najaf on Friday left Ayatollah Mohammed Bakr al-Hakim, head of the High Council of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq, dead. A story describes how it happened. (5)

Domestic virologists at the Virology Center of the Microbiology Institute have created a unique test that can accurately diagnose the SARS virus. A story describes this system. (8)

A feature story is devoted to two nine-year-old boys Kirill Sayabin and Artyom Bogdanov from the Nizhnyaya Nozhema village in the Vologda region. The boys spent 10 days alone in the dense Vologda forest and survived. (9)

The Yabloko party will convene a Congress in Moscow on Sept. 6 to determine the strategy and ideology of the party during the upcoming parliamentary election campaign. A story examines them in detail. (10)

A story describes the new practice in Russia of rewarding people who provide information about criminals to law enforcement. A story describes several concrete instances. (11)

The sixth international auto show in Moscow closed on Saturday. A story sums up its positive preliminary results. (24, Trud, 6, Krasnaya Zvezda, 1, 4)

A feature story highlights Anatoly Gorbunov, who became famous in his city of Volgodonsk after Boris Yeltsin presented his successor Vladimir Putin to the country. The fact is that, despite an 11-year difference in age, Gorbunov looks very much like Putin. (25)

Trud
www.trud.ru

The State Council Presidium in a couple of days intends to discuss a draft of the national program to boost the economic water complex. A story examines the draft, saying that in the opinion of its authors, the program will make it possible to put things in order in the way water resources are used, as well as crack down on water pollution. (1)

It's possible that the five-sided format of the negotiations to resolve the Trans-Dniestrian conflict will soon be replaced by a new regional group that will include structures from the European Union or several NATO states. This plan has been proposed by the European Union's Research Security Institute and is causing concern in Russia. In an interview Sergei Markov, Director of the Institute of Political Studies, reflects on the Western initiative. (2)

Domestic power structures, called siloviki, are launching a new anti-terror operation developed by the Interior Ministry. A story explains which factors have prompted this. (3)

Ufa specialists have developed so-called fast-walk boots made in the Tryokhgorny city in the Chelyabinsk region. The first batch of 40 pairs will be used for park amusement attractions. In the future the plan will be up to 1,000 pairs a month, with most being exported abroad. A single pair costs several thousand dollars. A story describes the boots. (6)

Krasnaya Zvezda

The air forces of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Tajikistan on the Ashulik training ground in the Astrakhan region on Sept. 1 to Sept. 4 will hold their first stage of joint military exercises. A story describes their program. (1)

Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru

The European Union has compiled a list of 41 food products and drinks that will belong to regions historically claiming these famous brands. For example, brandy or champagne can be made only in the corresponding regions of France and port wine only in Portugal. A story examines the European Union's new initiative. (3)

The Interior Ministry in 2002 was charged with creating an interdepartmental headquarters to help homeless and runaway children to change their lives. Minister Boris Gryzlov was appointed its head. At its session on Aug. 29 he reported positive results of its work. A story examines some of them. (4)

Hollywood star Val Kilmer arrived in Moscow on Friday to take part in the charity ceremony "The Doors to Hollywood Open for Orphans." Five hundred children from orphanages will be invited to Moscow's Hotel Radisson-Slavyanskaya on Sept. 1 where they will be entertained by clowns. (5)

A story reflects on how some enemies of Mayor Yury Luzhkov have attempted to discredit him through his wife Yelena Baturina, the head of the Inteko firm. (7)

The ninth Honey Fair with 500 of the best beekeepers from Krasnodar, Volgograd, Voronezh, Rostov and another 45 regions have brought their honey to the Moscow fair in the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, where it costs 120 rubles per kilo. A story describes the event. (7)

A family of three Moscow elephants has moved at last to a renovated, spacious section in the Moscow zoo from a tram depot where they had to spend six years. A story describes the family and its new home. (8)

LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky reflects on the social policy of the state, his impressions about meetings with people, on Russian women and Russia's future. (9)

A story examines food and non-food products that will go up in price in September. (11)

Moskovsky Komsomolets
www.mk.ru

In an interview Lyubov Kezina, head of the Moscow City Education Department, talks about what is awaiting schoolchildren and their parents in the new school year. (2)