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Izvestia
www.izvestia.ru
The pro-Kremlin United Russia party held its 2nd party congress on Saturday, during which party leader and Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov outlined the party's ideological principles and changes to its structure. A story describes the forum, its participants, new members and decisions taken. (1,2,Kommersant, 3, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1,2,Gazeta, 1,3, Vremya Novostei, 1, 4, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 1,2, MK, 2)
The war in Iraq has illustrated the need for a revision of international relations and serious changes in the structure of the UN and its Security Council. In an interview, Jan Kavan, president of the 57th UN General Assembly, shares his view on the issue, saying that the existing make-up of the UN Security Council is in line with the political situation in 1945 rather than the one in 2003. (1,2)
The Supreme Court has ruled that divisional police inspectors have the legal right to get any kind of information from tenants in their localities. The court's ruling was a reply to several suits that were lodged by Moscow tenants. A story comments on the ruling. (2, Vremya Novostei, 1)
The Defense Ministry's Military Inspectorate on Sunday summed up the performance of the Vladimir Rocket Army's Strategic Rocket Troops. The Inspectorate also checked up on the VRA's combat readiness. A story examines major results, focusing on several problems. (3)
The Public Opinion sociological fund has conducted a poll of 1,500 respondents to find out how the public feels about government measures aimed at cracking down on the drug trade. A story examines results. Two pie charts. (3)
The board of directors of the TV-6 television company is expected to hold its annual meeting on Monday. A story describes the aims of the meeting. (3, Gazeta, 1,2)
Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections have forced the country's smaller political parties to increase their profile. A story looks at several such parties, including Gennady Raikov's People's Party. (3)
Japanese and South Koran intelligence experts are puzzled over the disappearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong il, who has not made a public appearance since Feb. 12. Asian political and intelligence analysts speculate that the ongoing war in Iraq may have something to do with the North Korean leader's strange behavior. (4)
A story describes the military and diplomatic developments during the past two days of the war in Iraq. (4, Kommersant, 9, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 1, 3, Gazeta, 5, Vremya Novostei, 3,Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 6, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 1-3, MK, 2)
At a meeting Friday, the board of directors of Unified Energy Systems decided to have a hand in the creation of a new company that will deal with current crisis in the housing and utility sector. A story comments on the decision. (5, Kommersant, 15)
A management system for the wholesale electricity market will be ready by first two weeks of April. The Overseeing Council of the Administrator of the Trade System (ATS) late last week decided to adopt amendments to the Charter of the Federal Wholesale Market of Electrical Energy and Capacities. (FOREM). A story views all this as the beginning of reform of the electrical energy wholesale market. (5)
The government has completed work on property chapters of the Tax Code that will likely be submitted to the State Duma this week. The chapter on property inheritance has undergone considerable changes. A story looks at several major changes. (5)
The Economic Barometer sociological service has conducted a poll of managers and directors from industrial enterprises to see how they view government initiatives in the Russian economy. Results are cited in two cited tables. (5)
On Friday the Economic Development Ministry sent out a draft bill to all its departments concerning the bureau of credit cases. The bill obliges banks to share information about practically all their clients. A story examines the document, and offers the views of four bankers. (6)
Russia's Financial Monitoring Committee (KFM) is expected by late April to compile a list of countries and territories ignoring a worldwide crack down on money laundering. Brief. (6)
According to the Wall Street Journal, Russia's credit rating remains rather stable despite fluctuations in the price of oil and rising tension between Moscow and Washington. Brief. (6)
In an interview, Alexei Simanovsky, director of the Central Bank's Regulation and Surveillance Department, explains why mortgage crediting has not yet become an attractive business for many banks. (6)
The Union of Russian Sugar Producers (Soyuzrossakhar) has proposed an increase in duties on both white and raw sugar imports. Brief. (7)
Tatenergo plans to increase investments in production by 150 percent in 2003. Brief. (7)
Kommersant
www.kommersant.ru
Communists in Moscow on Saturday took part in an anti-war demonstration, with a main slogan on that day being "Down with the President." A story describes the protest, noting that Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov pre-election campaign is just getting underway. (1,4)
The Financial Times on March 29 reported that the Pentagon is compiling a list of non-American companies that will not be allowed to take part in a competition for the right to participate in a post-war reconstruction of Iraq. The so-called "black" list includes Shell, TotalFinaElf and Eni. A story comments on the list. (1,14)
During a visit to Paris this weekend, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin discussed Russia's accession to both the World Trade Organization and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development A story examines results of his negotiations. (2)
A week of negotiation between NASA, the Russian space agency and European space agency wrapped up in the Netherlands on Saturday. Issues discussed included a $50 million financial aid package that would allow Russia to build additional spacecraft to maintain the International Space Station (ISS). According to Yury Koptev, the head of the Russian space agency, the ISS will have to be closed down temporarily since Russia alone will be unable to maintain it. (4)
A three-day congress concerning Chechnya opened in Strasburg on Sunday. Congress participants intend to work out a general strategy to counter Russian colonial policy in the breakaway republic. Mention was also made of an attempt to apply to the European Union with a request to declare the March 23 constitutional referendum illegal. A story describes the forum and its agenda. (4)
Large-scale military exercises led by General Staff Chief Anatoly Kvashnin began in the North-Caucasian Military District on Friday. A story describes the goals of the exercise. (4)
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his wife Naina are expected to arrive in Japan on Monday. A story describes the goals of their visit. (11)
According to reports in U.S. media, Lieutenant-General Jay Garner will head up the Iraqi civilian administration after the war. Photo caption. (12)
The Federal Securities Commission Friday announced that it has drafting two decrees that radically change trading rules for Russian securities abroad. A story examines each of them. (13)
The Moscow Insurance Company has won the open competition sponsored by the Moscow government to insuring Moscow civil servants. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov signed the directive on March 20. Brief. (13)
A New York federal court on Friday rejected a $3 billion libel suit lodged by Mikhail Zhivilo's companies against Russian entrepreneurs. A story details the case. (13)
Moscow authorities have announced a 35-percent increase in the tariffs on water and sewerage for the population, effective April 1. A story comments on the measure. (13, 20)
Gazprom head Alexei Miller and LUKoil President Vagit Alekperov are expected to sign a cooperation agreement on Monday. Brief. (13)
AFK Sistema on Friday decided to postpone the issue of a $500 million eurobond. A story reflects on the possible reasons for the delay. (14)
Moscow authorities intend to significantly raise the cost of billboard advertising. In an interview, City Advertising Committee head Igor Presnyakov explains the reasons behind the measure. (15)
Lenenergo's board of directors on Saturday decided to pay out unusually big dividends for 2002. It will give its shareholders 75 percent of its net profit for 2002. (15)
A story explains why almost 30 of the Volzhsky auto plant's top managers resigned on Friday. (16)
Vedomosti
www.vedomosti.ru
Unified Energy Systems and Gazprom have decided to invest $700 million into the domestic housing and utility sector over 5 years. Alfa Group has also shown interest in the initiative. (A1
Entrepreneur Mikhail Zhivilo has lost his $3 billion suit against Oleg Deripaska's Russian Aluminum. The New York Federal Court on Monday refused to consider thee suit he filed at the end of 2000. (A1)
Late last week Norilsk Nickel hastily replaced Mikhail Prokhorov, as one of its candidates for Stillwater's board of directors. A story speculates on the possible reasons. (A1)
Italian doctor Carlo Urbani, 46, who was the first to have identified atypical pneumonia, has died from the disease. Brief. (A1)
On Sunday Georgian and Abkhaz energy workers tried to fix damages resulting from a sabotaged electrical transmission line. Brief. (A1)
In honor of Chechnya's constitutional referendum, authorities in the republic have decided to grant amnesty to roughly 1,000 convicts. A2)
The United Russia party has begun its pre-election campaign with tough criticism of the government. At the party's 2nd congress on Saturday, Boris Gryzlov accused Mikhail Kasyanov and the Cabinet of being unable to solve the country's problems. (A2)
The British Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts that the lowering of the volume of direct foreign investment in the world this year will stop, and investments in Russia will rapidly grow. (A3)
In an interview, Burkhard Bergmann, head of Germany's Ruhrgas management board talks about his company's business in Russia. (A5)
Vedomosti. Companies and Markets
The Volzhsky Auto Plant (AvtoVAZ) is imposing a single selling price for the whole country effective immediately. A story comments on its decision. (B1)
The Bashneft company, controlled by the Bashkir government, may for the first time acquire independent directors. A story looks at several candidates to its board of directors. (B1)
The board of directors of Unified Energy Systems has endorsed a financial plan for 2003. A brief examines its major parameters. (B1
Gazprom subsidiary Severgazprom intends to complete the reconstruction of the Sosnogorsk gas-processing plant in 2005. Brief. (B1)
Kremenchug's AvtoKrAZ has signed a protocol with LUKoil- to produce KrAZ vehicles. Brief. (B1)
St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport will be closed for ordinary flights from May 29 to June 1, as a result of the arrival of numerous VIP guests for the city's 300th anniversary. (B2)
Co-owner of the St. Petersburg Severnaya Verf shipbuilding plant Boris Kuzyk and Mezhprombank decided to abandon their transportation business. The New Programs and Concepts holding they control has decided to sell its 55-percent stake in the North-West steamship line for $60 million. (B2
Energoprom has gained a strategic victory in its struggle with SUAL by winning a competition for the right to sell the NovEZ business. (B2)
Krasnoyarsk regional authorities will sell a 60-percent stake in Krasnoyarsknefteprodukt (KrasNP). Yukos and Sibneft have decided to purchase KrasNP together. A story explains the decision. (B3)
The Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEC) is preparing for the privatization of state-owned packages of several coal companies. SUEC will borrow $162 million and issue ruble bonds worth 1 billion rubles to gain financial backing for the privatization. (B3)
Ufa's UralSibs Bank is in talks to sell between five percent and 15 percent of company stock to a group of foreign investors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and to the U.S. Cargill company. (B5)
Nezavisimaya Gazeta
www.ng.ru
The president is expected to sign a decree on the creation of a national oil exchange in the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district. An article examines the document's major provisions. (1,4)
The PACE spring session set to open in Strasbourg today is expected to resolve the issue of the establishment of an International Tribunal on Chechnya. In an interview, German deputy Rudolf Bindig talks about his report on human rights violations in the republic.(1, 6)
Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes a historic document that could help decide the fate of the Bremen collection. (1,8)
The Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTSIOM) has made public the results of its March opinion poll showing that 31 percent of voters support the Communist Party, while 21 percent vote for the United Russia party. An article comments on the poll. (2)
On March 29, the Liberal Russia party held a conference in Kazan entitled "Problems of the Peoples of the Volga Federal District." An article looks at several questions asked of self-exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky, who was available via a Londoan-Kazan telephone link. (2, Novaya Gazeta, No. 23, p. 4)
Will the war in the Persian Gulf affect the results of Russian State Duma and presidential elections in the same way the Chechen war affected them in 1999? Four political scientists share their opinions on the issue. (2)
A new armed conflict may erupt soon in the Trans-Dniestrian Republic. An article talks about how Russia can take advantage of tense Trans-Dniestria-Moldovan relations. (3)
An article gives figures to describe the alarming AIDS epidemic in Russia. (7)
An article examines the negative aspects of the recent constitutional referendum in Chechnya. (9)
Rossiiskaya Gazeta
www.rg.ru
The largest European ecological project -- construction of the South-West water treatment plants -- has been launched in St. Petersburg. The project that has been called an ecological breakthrough in the Baltics and will be completed in 2005. An article describes the project. (5)
St. Petersburg restorers have been working for 25 years to restore the Amber Room, which was looted by the Nazis during World War II. The room is the largest amber artifact in the world. Restorers have had to recreated practically from scratch 100 square meters of panels and mosaics using 1939 photographs. An article describes the nearly completed project. (5)
Komsomolskaya Pravda
www.kp.ru
The president's annual state of the nation address, which was scheduled for early April, has been again postponed until the May holidays. An article examines three possible developments in Iraq that will largely determine political events in Russia. (3)
An old diesel Buki-396 submarine will be brought from Severodvinsk to Moscow in the summer. It will become a museum located at the Smolenskaya Embankment on the Moscow River. An article describes the project. (6)
A Spanish construction company is building a $60 million hotel on Red Square. In an interview Alexander Gladyshev, director general of the "Kremlyovsky" Complex, talks about the project. (7)
The Yeliseyevsky Gastronom, the most beautiful grocery store in Russia, will be closed over the summer for major renovations. An article offers interesting tidbits from its history and describes the renovation plans. (8)
An article describes all of the new additions to Moscow's 3rd Ring Road, currently being in order to alleviate traffic jams in the city (9)
An article highlights a 15-year-old schoolgirl named Katya who attends not only classes, but also City Duma Expert Economic Council sessions. A Moscow City Duma deputy has invited her to become his assistant. (11)
In an interview, Yury Kuklachov, director of Moscow's Cat Theater, discusses how he works with cats, his beloved actors and actresses. (19)
Moskovsky Komsomolets
www.mk.ru
An article is devoted to the origin and history of the Federal Agency of Government Communications and Information (FAPSI) and its demise. (1, 3)
Specialists at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems decided to launch a human mannequin into space. They hope to study the effects of radiation on astronauts. An article describes the experiment. (1)
Specialists at the Psychiatry Institute have warned that observing Lent, especially for young women, can cause serious psychiatric disorders. An article offers a scientific explanation of these ailments. (1)
Russian inventor Mark Kagan recently obtained a patent for a foot-operated computer mouse. An article describes his invention. (1)
Moscow sociologists at the city's annual Marriage Waltz exhibition -- which ended late last week -- stated that two out of every three marriages in Moscow end in divorce. An article explains why and says that City Hall intends to allocate 1 billion rubles ($31.9 million) to help newlyweds. (2)
An exhibit of drawings from the famous Victor Baldin collection opened on March 29 in the Shchusev Architecture Museum in Moscow rather than in the German town of Bremen. An article describes the conflict surrounding the collection. (2)
A boarding school for gifted children will open in Moscow this fall. An article describes the school and the demands to be made on its future pupils. (3)