Press Review

		Izvestia Kommersant Rossiiskaya Gazeta Krasnaya Zvezda Trud Komsomolskaya Pravda Moskovsky Komsomolets

Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru

Abortions have been unofficially banned at a local hospital in Borovsky, a village in the Tyumen region, since July 2002. Village leader, Alexander Krupin, imposed this ban in order to increase the area's birthrate. A story examines the effects of Krupin's unofficial order, focusing on complaints filed to the prosecutor's office by 78 local women. (1,2)

On July 1, Sberbank increased the amount of credit allocated to special needs cases from $10,000 to $25,000. A story describes the new measure and the convoluted procedure for applying for such loans. (1,2)

Yukos head, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and Khodorkovsky's former deputy and current rector of State Humanities University, Leonid Nevzlin, were summoned to the prosecutor general's office for questioning in the case of Yukos co-owner Platon Lebedev, who was arrested on Wednesday on charges of embezzlement. A story describes law enforcement agencies' investigation of the company. (1) (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 3, Zhizn, 1,2, 5, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 1,2, Kommersant, 1,3, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 3, MK, 1,2)

An editorial examines the latest investigation into oil giant Yukos, and the economic losses the scandal has incurred on Russia (figures are cited). The story includes commentary by The Financial Times, and discusses the resulting international hesitancy about doing business with Russia. (2) (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 3)

An experiment to change the makeup of the 76th paratrooper division in Pskov from one based on conscription to a voluntary one has proven unsuccessful, according to the Defense Ministry. A story examines the ministry's assessment of the experiment. (2)

The Izvestia Nauka Supplement is devoted to scientific discoveries and commentaries. (3-6)

A new provision, which went into effect on July 1, specifies the parameters by which military personnel are declared medically fit. A story examines the document and describes the continued controversy over military conscription. (3)

Disputes over assessing the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy have yet to be resolved. A story examines the struggle between two irreconcilable scientific findings: the first hypothesizing the dangers inherent in human exposure to small amounts of radiation, and the second theory asserting the positive effects of the nuclear accident. (3)

The chief state sanitary physician, Gennady Onishchenko, has signed a decree requiring all adults to be inoculated against diphtheria before 2005. In an interview, Nina Maximova, head of the diphtheria laboratory at the Moscow Epidemiology and Microbiology Institute, explains the need for the new mass vaccination campaign. (6)

The Kurchatov Institute on Monday will host a seminar that explores the work of the physicist, Yury Kagan, on the occasion of his 75th birthday. In an interview, Kagan discusses a disheartening trend in Russia, whereby many leading Russian scientists have recently emigrated to the West, and whereby the intellectual class has been gradually shrinking. (4)

President Vladimir Putin on Monday met with Health Minister Yury Shevchenko to discuss the results of the latest national medical examination of children. According to the minister, the results are disturbing, and in a statement he cited figures and examined reasons behind such serious health problems in children. The minister's findings have bewildered many medical specialists. In the story, director of the Institute of Age Physiology, Maryana Bezrukikh, shares her views. (6)

The SARS epidemic has reportedly bypassed Moscow, and the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Service has lifted all restrictions on tours to South-East Asian countries. Moscow authorities, reflecting on their successful campaign against the infection, stated that they had closed 19 Vietnamese and Chinese hostels in the city. However, given the unpredictable movement of the virus, the mayor's Press Secretary Sergei Tsoi stated that Moscow officials continue to buy special devices that can detect people with high temperatures in airports and railway terminals. A story identifies organizations interested in the purchase of such devices. (7)

Moscow City Hall has drawn up a list of places where holiday artillery salutes may be conducted. The brief examines the list of sanctioned areas. (7)

It is reported that computer hackers will launch hundreds of viruses through the Internet on Monday. The U.S. administration issued a warning on Friday about the beginning of an unofficial contest among hackers, who will compete to achieve the greatest speed in making servers dysfunctional. Brief. (7)

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov on Friday harshly criticized the leadership of the international Expo-Science exhibition scheduled for July 12 at the All-Russian Exhibition Center. Luzhkov has fired the director of the organization, Alexander Yurchenko, on charges of conducting illegal trade. A story comments on Luzhkov's decision. (7) (Kommersant, 5, MK, 2)

President Putin on Thursday signed into law a measure that will reorganize district courts in Moscow. In accordance with the new law, all inter-municipal courts in the city will be transformed into district courts, and territorial jurisdiction will be revamped. A story examines the effects of the changes. (7)

The Natural Resources Ministry on Friday made public preliminary results of the first comprehensive clean air study, in which the ministry examined the ability of industries to protect the natural environment. A story examines the results, reporting how many factory directors employed special anti-pollution devices in anticipation of federal inspectors' visits. (7) (Kommersant, 4)

In an interview, Nina Budyonnaya, daughter of well-known Soviet military leader Semyon Budyonny, recounts some of the secrets held by her father. (8, 9, 12)

Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru

New wording of a federal law concerning the securities market restricting access to financial information went into effect on Saturday. A story examines the changes resulting from the document. (1)

Chukotka Governor Roman Abramovich, who this past week bought the British Chelsea soccer club, reportedly intends to sign several international soccer stars to his team. British media, commenting on information provided by unnamed sources, reported on Friday that Abramovich has instructed the staff of his club to spend as much as 200 million pounds sterling ($340 million) on the signing of new players over the next two seasons. A story examines Abramovich's plans for the team. (1,11) (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 7, Vremya MN, 1, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2)

The RTS stock exchange Friday announced a new record. The total trading volume has reached a high since the economic crisis of 1998 at $199.2 million. A story comments on the announcement, and examines some the changed methodology for arriving at this high figure. (1)

According to President Vladimir Putin's decree on Friday, command of the anti-terror operation headquarters in the North Caucasus will pass over from the FSB to the Interior Ministry on Sept. 1. The Chechen government has viewed this decision as a sign of the Russian administration's confidence in its leadership, and has promised to actively pursue peace in the region. A story comments on Moscow's decision, detailing the headquarters' change in leadership. (2) (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2 Vremya MN, 2)

President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that presidential elections will be held in Chechnya on Oct. 5 of this year. A story examines the president's decision, arguing that it signifies Moscow's selection of its candidate, Akhmat Kadyrov. (2) (Vremya MN, 2)

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Jean Lemier and Russian Transport Minister Sergei Frank in London on Friday signed an agreement that will provide $290 million in loans for the construction and maintenance of roads in Russia. The money will be spent on completing the ring road around St. Petersburg, as well as the Chita-Khabarovsk road. A story details the agreement and examines the proposed road projects. (2)

The Union of Right Forces announced on Friday the initiation of a new organization, the Forum of Right Youth. A story describes the event, its participants, and speeches by SPS leaders. (4)

Saratov regional Governor Dmitry Ayatskov announced at a session of the Big Volga Association in the Kazan Kremlin that his region was withdrawing from the association due to its poor work. A story comments on the governor's statement. (4)

Latvia, following similar actions from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Israel, and several European states, has prohibited the entry of Russian singer Iosif Kobzon. A story examines the reasons behind Latvia's decision. (4)

An international summit of the GUUAM organization took place in Yalta on Friday, during which deputy of the U.S. Undersecretary Steven Pifer promised $1 million to the organization. (4)

Moscow police confiscated large batches of precious stone from Tsarskaya Shpinel shops on Friday. The stones are believed to have been smuggled from Turkey as low quality products and subsequently offered for sale as high-quality ones. A story describes the case. (3)

The number of candidates running in the gubernatorial elections in St. Petersburg has increased to nine individuals. A story examines the various candidates. (3)

A story describes a tense situation at Sheremetyevo Airport, despite the airport's retraction of a telegram sent out on Thursday that restricted charter flights. A story describes the situation. (5)

Microsoft next year may spend over $10 billion on dividends. A story explains the origins of the money. (5)

Representatives from the Murmansk steamship line on Friday hoisted a Russian flag on the new icebreaker, Vladimir Ignatyuk. The icebreaker is the first Russian one to be purchased by a private company. A story comments on the sale. (5)

Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko on Friday attended a festive ceremony in Myshkin to mark the opening of the Baltiisk Pipeline. A story describes the event and describes the new pipeline. (5)

According to the Central Bank, Russia's gold and currency reserves in the month of June decreased from $64.88 billion to $64.43 billion. Brief. (6)

The Krasny Vostok brewery in Kazan has launched the construction project of four cattle-breeding complexes in Tataria. Brief. (6)

The head of the committee on military and technical cooperation with foreign states, Mikhail Dmitriyev, on Friday signed a directive giving the St. Petersburg-based Korporatsia Aerokosmicheskoye Oborudobvaniye the right to do independent business abroad. Brief. (6)

Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru

A story examines the positive results of negotiations in Moscow on Friday between President Vladimir Putin and his Romanian counterpart, Ion Iliescu. (2)

Weather specialists forecast warm weather for this week with occasional rain, with daytime temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius by next weekend. (2)

The shock caused by the arrest of Yukos co-owner Platon Lebedev has not affected the domestic exchanges. A story gives figures to illustrate the point. (3)

In an interview, Moscow metro head Dmitry Gayev predicts when the metro system will reach various districts in the city. (4)

Former Polish President Voitsekh Jaruzelski turned 80 on Saturday. In an interview, he recalls several incidents from his life. He also discusses Poland's motivations for joining NATO. (5)

A feature story profiles the sons and daughters of several CIS presidents, describing what they are doing today. (8,9)

The Rehabilitation Center in Arzamas in the Gorky region assists the homeless in beginning new lives. A story gives details to show how the center is achieving this goal. (21)

Krasnaya Zvezda

Russian-French navy exercises, in which a number of surface ships and nuclear submarines will participate, are to begin in the Norwegian Sea on Monday. A story examines the goals of the exercise. (1)

In an interview, Ivan Zhdakayev, deputy head of the Duma committee on energy, transport and communications, speaks about the army's serious problems today, focusing on the need for federal assistance to the military. (1, 2)

The government commission on social issues for servicemen submitted a proposal in late May to help instill patriotism in Russian children. In an interview, vice-admiral Yury Kvyatkovsky speaks about the difficulties in achieving such a goal given the countertrends among young people today. (1,3)

Trud
www.trud.ru

A story gives figures showing the success Russia has been having paying off its foreign debts this year. It focuses on a measure proposed by the Finance Ministry in which debts accrued by internal services would be eliminated by additional borrowings in 2004. Economic analyst Alexander Protsenko criticizes this scheme, saying that it will only increase Russia's debts. (1)

Providing its population with jobs and housing are priority issues for the Chechen administration's attempts to pursue peace in the region. In a public opinion poll conducted in May by the Validata sociological service, Chechens stressed the importance of these issues. A story comments on the results of the poll. (2)

The Moscow Basmanny court on Wednesday sanctioned the arrest of Yukos-Sibneft co-owner Platon Lebedev, head of the board of directors of the MENATEP international financial association. A story examines the accusations against Lebedev, as well as the response by various political figures to the arrest. (2)

According to the State Statistics Committee, the birthrate of healthy babies has decreased by 15 percent over the past 10 years. Specialists say these figures are unprecedented in Russia. According to Professor Viktor Radzinsky, head of obstetrics at the Friendship University, the major reason for these figures is the worsening health of young mothers. (3)

At his recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu unexpectedly announced a proposal for "cutting the ministry's central apparatus by 50 percent without changing the wages fund." Shoigu explained his idea, arguing that it is impossible to hire competent specialists with the existing rates of pay. The president has asked that the minister draft his proposal. In the story, political observer Vitaly Golovachov assesses the minister's proposal as a good start. (3)

Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru

Valentina Akimova, head of the Individuals Taxation Department of the Tax Ministry, announced preliminary statistics of income declarations for 2002. She stated the number of wealthy Russians almost doubled between 2001 and 2002 with the number of millionaires in Russia reaching 8,971. A story examines the statistics. (2)

A story hypothesizes on a mysterious ailment that caused the death of journalist Yury Shchekochikhin at the age of 53. (4)

In an interview, Moscow regional Duma deputy Yury Korablin notes how Russians' pension and wages could be increased by 10 times at the expense of resources currently used for the housing and utilities sector. (5)

Starting this week, as many as 113 Moscow streets will undergo major maintenance and repairs between 11 PM until 6 AM. An article provides a list of these streets. (6)

A story describes a complicated operation performed on the leg of a giraffe at the Moscow zoo on Wednesday. Specialists from the Central Research Traumatology and Orthopaedy Institute participated in the procedure, assisted by a British doctor. (7)

The U.S. Heritage Foundation's report offers recommendations that the U.S. store military planes in Azerbaijan. A story examines the report. (8)

A story details where Duma deputies and party leaders are spending the summer. (14)

Moskovsky Komsomolets
www.mk.ru

The Interior Ministry signed a directive on July 1banning automobile dealerships from providing license plates and registration documents to buyers. Now automobile registration is possible only in district GAI departments. A story provides commentary on the measure, including the response by local police. (1)

The government has adopted a decree allowing Russians to include their children's photographs in their passports. A story comments on the development. (1)

Thieves on three different occasions have robbed the Moscow apartment of Nikolai Bruevich, stealing valuable paintings from the premises. A story describes how the burglaries were perpetrated. (1)

A twenty-seven-year-old female employee of the Moscow Duma was raped and killed Friday on Ulitsa Yablochkova. This is the third such crime committed over the past few days. A story provides details. (1)

In late June, several months after the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime, the Iraqi Embassy in Moscow suspended its operations. Of the former 39 diplomats, only nine have remained working in the building, receiving wages from the Iraqi provisional government. In an interview, the embassy spokesman describes life in Moscow for current Iraqi diplomats. (2)

President Vladimir Putin intends to leave for Malaysia this coming weekend. A story examines the aim of his visit, focusing on issues of military cooperation that the president will discuss with Malaysian officials. (2)

A story examines Andrei Vavilov, a senator who has managed to win several criminal cases brought against him. According to the Duma's anti-corruption commission, Vavilov has brought a $2 billion loss to the country. (3)

A story describes how Primorye Governor Sergei Darkin has dealt with a situation that involves more than $20 million owed by Dalmoreprodukt to the Bank of Moscow. (3)

The only domestic plant producing gold leaves for churches is located in the south of Moscow. A feature story describes this operation and its unique craftsmen. (8)

Small African-style locks have become popular in Moscow over the past two years. A story describes the nine-hour procedure of installing these locks that cost between $100 and $400. (8)