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Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru
A derailed metro car shut down a large stretch of the busy green line for nine hours Monday, creating huge traffic jams in northern and central Moscow as hundreds of thousands of passengers tried to get to work. Nine people received medical attention after suffering panic attacks. Two people were hospitalised. (1, 2, Kommersant 5)
The Moscow City Court will interrogate Oleg Zhirov, a witness to the Nord Ost hostage crisis. Zhirov is a Dutch businessmen who lost his wife in the tragedy. Zaur Talkhigov is accused of organising an act of terrorism; there are no other terrorists left to be punished, as they perished during the siege. In an interview Oleg Zhirov comments on the details of the tragedy. (1, 2)
Belarus will use Russian rubles in a year and a half. This was the main result of discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Russia will open a 20 billion ruble ($655 million) credit line to Minsk for the transitional period. (2)
Muslim leaders in Russia are trying to apply Islamic principles to the Russian economy. A seminar on Islamic financial relations and prospects for their use began in the Kosmos Hotel on Monday. (3)
CIS defense ministers met in Shchuchye, Kazakhstan, on Monday. Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and Kazakh Defense Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev discussed joint planning and military actions aimed at improving security between the two sides. (3)
National Reserve Bank head Alexander Lebedev gathered guests and journalists for the opening ceremony of his cultural center located in Chateau Forge, a Paris suburb. Former President Mikhail Gorbachev made a short speech in which he said that 150 well-known Russians will donate money for the construction of a health centre for sick children in St. Petersburg. (4)
Turkmen President Sapurmurat Niyazov has signed a decree cancelling dual citizenship. The decree comes into force from Aug. 22. Russians will then face a lack of rights in Turkmenistan. (4)
Gazprom will increase the number of directors on its board to 15. Gazprom shareholders will approve the necessary amendments to the company's code at an annual session, scheduled for June 27. Not less than three seats will be held for representatives of minor shareholders. (5)
Ukraine is preparing for presidential elections. In an interview Viktor Yushchenko, one of the candidates, talks about Russian-Ukrainian relations and the economic situation in Ukraine. (5)
The dollar exchange rate has become a big concern for economists. Since the European Central Bank has reduced its interest rate to 0.5 percent, economists are expecting the euro to fall. The story contains specialists' opinions on the issue. (6)
The Central Bank has audited capital registered in Russian banks. As many as 60 banks have been inspected and 38 of them appear to be playing with their figures. A story comments on recent developments in the struggle against false capitalisation. (6)
The Agriculture Ministry is planning to submit a decree to the government to raise grain export tariffs by 20 percent. Grain traders view the move negatively: They think the decree will not hinder grain exports. (7)
Russia's presence on the global arms market is a demonstration of its economic and technological strength. Proletarsky Zavod official Igor Tsiplakov speaks about ways to preserve and strengthen Russia's position on the world market. (7)
Pension reforms are coming into force. Pensioners should be informed about the status of their personal accounts by Aug. 1. Pensioners will get the right to choose the company with which they want to invest their savings. A story comments on the lack of choice. (8)
The Moskva hotel is not taking any new customers -- it is to be closed by July 31. The reconstruction of the hotel will start on Sept. 15. A story comments on the Soviet-style hotel and its customers. (9)
London's Bow Street Magistrates Court on Monday began hearing the case on the extradition of Chechen rebel leader Ahmed Zakayev. The court is due to announce a final verdict on June 12. A story details the history of Zakayev's arrest. (10)
President Vladimir Putin's name is widely used by Russian businessmen as a brand for the goods they produce. Putin's face is even on some food packaging. (12)
Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru
Audit Chamber head Sergei Stepashin on Monday accused St. Petersburg Governor Vladimir Yakovlev of misspending 1 billion rubles ($32.75 million). Yakovlev spent the money not on the reconstruction of the city but on improving its ecology. Yakovlev now faces calls for his resignation before his term is up. (1)
A meeting between Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and heads of the companies taking part in the UN oil for food program in Iraq took place in the Foreign Ministry. The minister assured businessmen that Russia has received firm assurances from the United States that their business interests in Iraq will not suffer. (1)
Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Monday met with his Finnish counterpart, Anneli Jaatteenmjaki. Kasyanov declared Russia's readiness to expand cooperation with Finland. Russia is expecting growth of cargo transit through Finnish ports. Russia and Finland have joint projects in the energy sphere, including the construction of the North European gas pipeline. (2)
President Vladimir Putin met with the Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin on Monday. The main subject they discussed was problems arising in the regions in connection with the cancellation of the sales tax scheduled for Jan., 1, 2004. Kudrin assured the president that all problems will be solved. (2)
President Vladimir Putin on Monday appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov as Russia's new ambassador to Canada. Mamedov had been deputy foreign minister for 12 years. A story details his career. (2)
Boris Berezovsky supporters in the Liberal Russia party on Monday attempted to persuade the Justice Ministry to recognize the legitimacy of their actions. (3)
The Sverdlovsk legislative assembly on Monday ratified the date for the gubernatorial election -- Sept., 7, 2003. The election campaign will start on June 24. (4)
The Vladivostok elections commission has announced the preliminary results of the local city duma elections, which took place Sunday. Twenty-five deputies have been elected. As many as 14 deputies represent the Svoboda and Narodovlastiye party headed by State Duma Deputy Viktor Cherepkov. (4)
Ahmad Kadyrov, head of the Chechen administration, has made his first appointments since the demise of the previous government. On Monday he appointed six new ministers from the old team. District heads are likely to have problems, as they were appointed by the previous government. (4)
Moscow's Taganrog court began hearing the trial of Valery Kostyrko, the former director of the Finance Ministry's trade financing department, and Andrei Kirin, a former vice president of a commercial bank. They are accused of stealing 20 million rubles ($655,000) of budget money. (6)
The Stavropol regional court has begun hearing the trial of six employees of a local air company who are accused of "exploiting " an An-24 plane. As many as 50 people perished as a result of a crash. A story comments on the case. (6)
The funeral of Igor Klimov -- acting general director of Almaz-Antei and a former aide in the presidential administration who died from bullet wounds outside his Moscow apartment building on Friday morning -- took place in St. Petersburg on Monday. (7)
State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznnyov on Monday met with students of the Moscow State Social University (MGSU). Seleznyov spoke about his Revival of Russia (Vozrozhdeniye Rossii) party. Students did not appear to be paying much attention. (8)
Volga-Dnepr is creating an affiliated airline that will focus on regular freight transportation. Stanley Rait, a former vice president of U.S. cargo airline Atlas Air, has been appointed to head the project. A story comments on the company's projects. (13)
Central Bank Deputy Chairman Oleg Vyugin said Monday that the Central Bank has begun preparations for the sale of Moscow Narodny Bank in London. Minor shares will be on sale. (14)
Russian Grain Union head Arkady Zlochevsky said Monday that rumors about a grain and a flour deficit were exaggerated. He has assured people that stocks will be enough for 2003 without a reduction in exports. (14)
Nikolai Smolensk, the son of well-known oligarch Alexander Smolensk, on Monday gave his first news conference as the boards chairman of OVK bank. He talked about development plans. (15)
Vedomosti
www.vedomosti.ru
Individual incomes are growing nearly twice as slowly in 2003 according to the State Statistics Committee. Economists believe that more accurate state statistics could help businessmen save money on market research. (A1)
Growth in the Euro bonds market has pushed Russia into first place in the main bonds indicator among developing countries. This will make Russia more attractive to foreign investors. (A1)
Gosstroy is trying to limit the ability of businessmen to enter the real estate and communal services sectors, having asked the government to forbid the sale of municipal assets. (A2)
The currently struggling Russian engineering industry may have relief in sight. Industry representatives have submitted a reform plan to the government. (A3)
In an interview Airat Hairullin, the director and co-owner of the Krasnyi Vostok brewery, denied the possibility of the sale of a $600 million share to a foreign strategic investor. He also discusses recent developments in the company. (A5)
Five years ago the Voronezh Milk Factory had a small range of products. Thanks to the efforts of its marketing department this has increased by 30 times, it now has a $55 million annual turnover. (A7)
Vedomosti. Companies and Markets
Investors are continuing to buy up UES shares, pushing the value up to $0.26. A story comments on the prognoses by energy market players. (B1)
The Mechel Steel Group company has finally been formed, encompassing a more than 80% stake of Mechel, and an almost 100% stake of the Southern Kuzbass coal company, as well as some companies belonging to Igor Zjuzin and his partners. It is the first case of consolidation of steel and raw material manufacturers in order to manufacturing metal. (B2)
Gazprom has decided to strengthen its stake in Bashkortostan's petrochemical industry. Yesterday the company announced its intention to obtain a controlling stake in Salavatnefteorgsintez from the republic's property ministry. A story comments on recent developments. (B3)
Yukos shareholders voted Monday to reduce its capital by 27,172 shares, or less than 1 percent. Mikhail Khodorkovsky is facing a conflict with minority shareholders over the merger of Yukos and Sibneft. (B3)
Deputy Finance Minister Bella Zlatkis announced on Monday that the ministry agrees with the Central Bank's concern about the additional risk presented by Gazprom tenders. (B5)
Moscow authorities and Metalloinvest have made a final decision about the tearing down of one of the last budget hotels in central Moscow -- the Minsk. A new 3- or 4-star hotel with underground parking and a fitness center will replace it. A story comments on the cost of the project. (B7)
Nezavisimaya Gazeta
www.ng.ru
Yabloko is to send a no-confidence vote to the cabinet. The initiative has been signed by 103 deputies from Yabloko and the Communist party. The vote is not expected to gain more than 150 to 160 votes. (1, 2)
On Monday, Audit Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin accused St. Petersburg mayor Yakovlev of misspending 1 billion rubles. Vladimir Yakovlev spent the money not on the reconstruction of the city but on improving its ecology. Yakovlev may be forced to resign before the completion of his term. (1, 3)
In an interview SPS leader Boris Nemtsov gives his opinion of the 300th anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg. He compares the celebrations to the Moscow Olympic games in 1980. (1, 2)
The financial director of Almaz-Antei will replace Igor Klimov, acting general director of the concern and a former aide in the presidential administration who died from bullet wounds outside his Moscow apartment building on Friday morning. A story comments on the situation. (1)
Audit Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin is the first politician to support the initiatives of leftists on the restructuring of the Russian economy. A story comments on some possible consequences of financial redistribution in Russia. (3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta 1, 3)
Chairman of the Russian grain union Arkady Zlochevsky declared Monday at a press conference that rumors about a grain and a flour deficit were exaggerated. He said stocks would be enough for 2003 without reducing exports. (3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta 1, 2)
Belarus will use Russian rubles in a year and a half. This was the main result of discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Russia will open a 20 billion ruble ($655 million) credit line to Minsk for the transitional period. (5)
Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru
A derailed metro car shut down a large stretch of Moscow's busy green line for nine hours Monday, creating huge traffic jams in northern and central Moscow as hundreds of thousands of passengers tried to get to work. Nine people received medical assistance after suffering panic attacks. Two people were hospitalised. (1, MK 1, 2, Komsomolskaya Pravda 2, 3)
The Russian mechanical engineering industry, presently experiencing hard times, may be renovated. Ministry officials have submitted a reform program to the government. (2)
George Soros has spent about a billion dollars on his charity programs in Russia over the last 15 years. A story looks with a critical eye on how Russians thanked Soros for everything he has done for Russia. (3)
Corruption is one of the main problems in the Russian army. In an interview chief military prosecutor General Alexander Savenkov comments on ways of solving problems of corruption and harassment in the army. (4)
A scientific conference marking 10 years of mandatory medical insurance in Russia took place last week. It's common knowledge that the goal of mandatory medical insurance is high-quality medical services for citizens. A story comments on recent developments in this field. (5)
Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru
Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has struck out at salesmen again. Kasyanov found that the draft on tax increase for imported cars three to seven years old is too complicated and sent it back for revision. Official dealers are facing the problem of competing with private businessmen. (4)
Moskovsky Komsomolets
www.mk.ru
The United States is planning a large-scale relocation of its military forces. This relocation will be the largest one since World War II. Existing U.S. military bases in Japan and South Korea appear too small in the case that the United States starts a massive attack on China. A page is devoted to recent U.S. developments in military fields and experts' opinions. (3)
Moskovskiye Novosti
www.mn.ru
Oleg Deripaska will soon be the sole owner of the TVS channel. Media Sortsium director general Oleg Kiselyov and Neftyanoi president Igor Linshits have announced their intention to sell their TVS shares. Oleg Deripaska will buy the 45 percent belonging to the Chubais' group. A story comments on the details. (1, 15)
Rostov regional court has found the former deputy chairman of Chechnya Hamzat Indrisov not guilty. Hamzat was arrested two years ago for suspicion of state money theft. A story comments on details of his case. (2)