Russian lawmaker proposes to strike God from national anthem

23:02 17/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian communist legislator on Tuesday suggested removing the word "God" from the national anthem in order to unite the multiethnic country. KPRF representative Boris Kashin introduced an amendment to the Law on the National Anthem of the Russian Federation to the State Duma with the proposal of changing the line "By God saved as ever our dear native land" to "By Us saved as ever our dear native land." According to Kashin, the national anthem in its present form disunites the multiethnic Russian society consisting not only of Christians, but also Muslims, Buddhists, and Judaists, which are recognized religions in the country. He noted there are also thousands of atheists and believers of other religions throughout Russia. A Moscow archpriest, Father Georgy Roshchin, has argued the proposed amendment, saying: "It is unnecessary to attempt to unite the society using doubtful principles of being absolutely non-religious." Father Georgy said that the national anthem has an historic significance with the founding of Russia as a statehood after accepting Christianity in the tenth century. He said the idea of removing a reference to God would sooner disunite Russia rather than unite it.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091117/156879748.html

Russia prolongs moratorium on death penalty, contemplates ban

12:50 19/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 19 (RIA Novosti) Russia’s Constitutional Court prolonged on Thursday a moratorium on the death penalty, which was due to expire on January 1, until it is banned completely. Russia imposed the moratorium after it joined the Council of Europe in 1996 and signed the European Convention on Human Rights, but it has not ratified the document yet. "This decision is final and shall not be appealed," court chairman Valery Zorkin said reading out the ruling. Zorkin said the moratorium on executions will be in place until Russian parliament ratifies Protocol 6 to the European Convention banning the death penalty. He said an "irreversible process to abolish capital punishment" is going on in Russia, which is in line with its international commitments and global tendencies. The speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, said on Thursday the convention is unlikely to be ratified this year. "A decision to ratify Protocol 6 in December is unrealistic," Boris Gryzlov said. Gryzlov earlier cited strong public support for the resumption of executions behind the failure of the parliament to ratify the convention. Observers have explained the public’s opposition to abolishing the death penalty by high crime rates and people’s dissatisfaction with police performance. Reflecting public sentiment, nationalist politicians even called for extending capital punishment to more crimes like drug-related abuses.

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091119/156899463.html

Putin to make main report at United Russia’s congress - Gryzlov

17.11.2009, 15.40

MOSCOW, November 17 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will attend the congress of the United Russia party, to be held in St. Petersburg on November 21, the chairman of the party’s Supreme Council, Boris Gryzlov said on Tuesday before the SC’s meeting. “Such an agreement has been achieved,” Gryzlov said. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will make the main report. Asked if Putin might be invited to join the party, Gryzlov said with a smile that “this question has been discussed all the way, and now it is up to Putin to make a decision whether to join in or not.”

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14539702&PageNum=0

United Russia 11th Congress gathers 3,000 delegates, guests

21.11.2009, 12.21

ST. PETERSBURG, November 21 (Itar-Tass) - The seventh pavilion of the LenExpo exhibition complex on the Vasilyevsky Island has become another “palace of congresses” for the United Russia party. The 11th forum of the country’s main parliamentary party is opening here on Saturday. It brought together about 3,000 delegates and guests of the congress, let alone some 700 Russian and foreign journalists. Everybody is waiting for speeches of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the party’s leader Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who have already arrived in St. Petersburg. Gryzlov said that the LenExpo venue is selected for the congress not accidentally. “Taking into account the fact that the main items on the congress’ agenda will be economic policy matters, we considered it important to hold the congress at the place of the prestigious economic forum,” he explained.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14555198&PageNum=0

United Russia congress approves new programme for 10 yrs

21.11.2009, 21.21

ST. PETERSBURG, November 21 (Itar-Tass) - A congress of the United Russia party in St. Petersburg on Saturday approved a new programme for the next years. The programme was approved after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s report on the social and economic development of the country and party tasks for the future. State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov, who is one of the party leaders, said the programme was based on the priorities contained in the Strategy-2020, the Putin Plan, President Dmitry Medvedev’s executive article “Onward, Russia!” and his Address to the Federal Assembly. He also stressed that the programme also drew on the party’s project implementation experience. “This is the first executive document of the party which alongside the tasks of improving the quality of life and economic development projects will clearly state our ideology – Russian conservatism,” Gryzlov said. “This is an ideology of stability and development, constant creative renovation of society without stagnation and revolutions.” According to Gryzlov, “Russian conservatism is open conservatism”, that is “conservatism that is prepared for discussion, both inside the party and with opponents”, “conservatism that is prepared to accept new ideas and therefore capable of modernising the country”. He believes that party’s ideology can be state in very simple terms: “Creating the new and preserving the best”. The main purpose of the programme is to improve the quality of life in Russia. Economic development can proceed only alongside social development, and this is why social issues are in the focus of anti-crisis measures, Gryzlov said. The party programme covers a period of ten years, which is consistent with the Strategy-2020 (a strategy of the development of the country up to 2020) that has been accepted by United Russia as a benchmark.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14557051&PageNum=0

United Russia can achieve changes for better if itself changes - pres

21.11.2009, 14.02

ST. PETERSBURG, November 21 (Itar-Tass) - United Russia can achieve changes for the better only if itself changes, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Saturday, speaking at the eleventh congress of the party. The party must become modern not to be obsolete, not to be behind life and behind its own voters, he noted. Some regional branches of United Russia and opposition parties show signs of such backwardness, lead political activities to office intrigues and turn elections, which must be expression of will of all people and competition of ideas and programmes, into “some stories when democratic procedures are mixed up with administrative ones”, the president said. It is necessary to get rid of loafers, he said. Democracy exists after all not for parties, ruling or oppositional ones. It is for citizens, for people to realise their right for power in the country, and parties are only an instrument. Though important and necessary, but an instrument, means, but not an aim, he noted. The president is sure United Russia can do without the administrative excesses. The party’s authority in high in the society. In the ranks are well-known people. The party must be modernised. It must be more flexible and open. It must learn to win in an open struggle, Medvedev stressed. The president said he was informed about the discussion of amendments to the charter. They stipulate that party representatives must participate in political debates in elections of all levels and candidates should be nominated in accordance with results of primary party elections. The ideas are good. It is a sign that United Russia has chosen the absolutely right direction, Medvedev noted.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14556684&PageNum=0

Russian missile forces report results of combat training in 2009

14:1918/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) conducted a total of 11 large-scale exercises and two test launches of strategic missiles in 2009, the SMF said on Wednesday. The SMF top brass gathered in Moscow to discuss the results of combat training in 2009 and set plans for the next year. The meeting was chaired by new SMF Commander Lt. Gen. Andrei Shvaichenko. "A total of 11 command-and-staff drills on strategic and operational levels, and 22 exercises on the tactical level were conducted by the SMF in 2009," the statement said. The SMF test launched an RS-12M Topol ballistic missile on April 10 and a RS-20B missile (a converted SS-18). Five additional test launches have been scheduled before the end of the year, the SMF said. At present, six types of silo-based and mobile ICBM systems are on combat duty with the SMF, including the heavy Voyevoda (SS-18 Satan) capable of carrying 10 warheads, and the Topol-M (Stalin) systems. The SMF reportedly has a total of 538 ICBMs, including 306 SS-25 Sickle missiles, 88 SS-18 Satan and 56 SS-27 Topol-M missiles.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091118/156888443.html

Over 200 enterprises to take part in Moscow military exhibition

05:2718/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - Over 200 enterprises will take part in an all-Russian exhibition, Russian Producers and Armed Forces Logistics, opening Wednesday, the Armed Forces said in a statement. The exposition, held for a ninth time, will last until November 20. According to the Defense Ministry, over 50% of participants will show their products for the first time this year. "The exhibition’s chief aim is to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and business partnership between domestic producers and Armed Forces, as well as to demonstrate achievements of industry and the modern condition of military administration agencies who deal with logistics support," the statement said. Besides Russian producers from 41 regions, specialists from Belarus and Germany are expected to attend.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091118/156882841.html

Russia to float out first frigate for Indian Navy Nov. 27

23:31 17/11/2009

KALININGRAD, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian shipyard will float out the first of three frigates for India’s Navy November 27, a company spokesman said Tuesday. The Yantar shipyard in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad is building three Project 11356 modified Krivak III class (also known as Talwar class) guided missile frigates for the Indian Navy under a $1.6 billion contract signed in July, 2006. "The frigate is due to be floated out on November 27," Sergei Mikhailov said. He previously said sea trials would not start right away because "post-construction work" was still to be carried out. The trials should start in 2010, he said. The shipyard is to deliver the last warship to India in 2011-2012. The Talwar-class frigate has deadweight capacity of 4,000 metric tons and a speed of 30 knots, and is capable of accomplishing a wide range of naval missions, primarily hunting down and destroying large surface ships and submarines. Russia has previously built three Talwar class frigates for India - the INS Talwar (from the Hindi language meaning Sword), the INS Trishul (Trident), and the INS Tabar (Axe). All the new frigates will be armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles rather than 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles that were installed on previous frigates. They will be also equipped with a 100-mm gun, a Shtil surface-to-air missile system, two Kashtan air-defense gun/missile systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091117/156880062.html

Russia dismisses NATO concerns over military drills with Belarus

20:22 18/11/2009

BRUSSELS, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - There is no reason for NATO to be concerned over recent Russian-Belarusian large-scale military drills near Poland, Russia’s envoy to the alliance said on Wednesday. NATO spokesman James Appathurai earlier told reporters that ambassadors from 28 NATO countries had voiced concern over the size and the scenario of the Zapad 2009 exercise, which involved some 13,000 personnel. Polish media reports claimed Russia and Belarus had simulated nuclear strikes on Poland during the war games. NATO also said the political message of the exercise was at odds with the recent improvement in relations between the military alliance and Russia. "Our NATO colleagues should agree with confidence-building measures in the close-to-border military activities proposed by Russia, rather than attempt to think up a new problem in our relations," Dmitry Rogozin said. Rogozin also said that the joint drills with Belarus were purely of a defensive nature and Russia had informed NATO about the exercises well in advance.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091118/156893946.html

Russia continues to modernize its nuclear triad

18:24 18/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF), the land-based component of the nuclear triad, will put on combat duty a second regiment equipped with Topol-M mobile missile systems by the end of 2009. Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) missiles are the mainstay of the ground-based component of Russia’s nuclear triad. As of the beginning of 2009, the SMF operated 50 silo-based and six road-mobile Topol-M missile systems. "We will complete the rearmament of the second missile regiment in the Teikovo division with mobile Topol-M systems," the new SMF commander, Lt. Gen. Andrei Shvaichenko told reporters in Moscow. Shvaichenko also said that a sixth regiment of silo-based Topol-M systems will be put in service with the Tatishchevo Missile Division near Saratov in southwestern Russia in 2010. The Topol-M missile, with a range of about 7,000 miles (11,000 km), is said to be immune to any current and future U.S. ABM defense. It is capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill using terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys. It is also shielded against radiation, electromagnetic pulse, nuclear blasts, and is designed to survive a hit from any form of laser technology. At present, six types of silo-based and mobile ICBM systems are on combat duty with the SMF, including the heavy Voyevoda (SS-18 Satan) capable of carrying 10 warheads, and the Topol-M systems. Shvaichenko said Russia will continue work to extend the service life of the SS-18 missiles to 31 years and the SS-25 Topol and RS-20B missiles to 23 years.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091118/156892231.html

Putin calls for technological modernization in the army

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said top-notch weaponry in the Russian army should make up 70-80% of the total by 2020. As he addressed a conference on defense issues Putin called for rapid technological modernization and extensive scientific research with a view to enhance the country’s defense capacity and produce new weaponry at affordable prices. The government, he said, is allocating an unprecedented 970 billion rubles to buy state-of-the-art military hardware.

18.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/2009/11/18/2345723.html

Russia increases Missile Forces on high alert

As a result of army reforms, missile forces on high alert in Russia have been increased by a few times, Lieutenant-General Sergei Bogatinov, Chief of Missile and Artillery Forces said. He added that starting from 2011 the Russian missile forces will be supplied with the upgraded rocket salvo-firing Smerch, Uragan and Grad systems which have increased accuracy and range.

19.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/2009/11/19/2355920.html

Russia would deliver pre-emptive nuclear strike in critical situation

If Russia should come to face a situation that’s critical to its national security, it may deliver a pre-emptive nuclear strike at the aggressor in keeping with a draft new military doctrine of this country. This came in a statement by the Chairman of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev. He emphasized in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily that the new doctrine has been drafted on the basis of an analysis of the current military and strategic situation in the world and with due regard for the new threats and challenges, such as NATO’s advancement all the way to the Russian border, the ongoing struggle for fuel and energy resources, including in the Arctic, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism. The Russian Security Council Secretary stressed that Russia was strongly opposed to a military solution to any conflict.

20.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/2009/11/20/2365177.html

Five Iskander launchers to be purchased for missile troops in 2010

21.11.2009, 14.51

MOSCOW, November 21 (Itar-Tass) - Five Iskander missile launchers will be purchased by the end of 2010, Russian missile troops and artillery commander Sergei Bogatinov said. The first missile brigade armed entirely with Iskander systems will be formed, he said on Ekho Moskvy Radio. The troops continuously receive new models of weaponry — artillery and missile systems, Bogatinov said.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14556219&PageNum=0

Estonia alarmed over Russia’s intention to buy French warship

05:15 22/11/2009

TALLINN, November 22 (RIA Novosti) - Commander-in-Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces Ants Laaneots told Estonian television on Saturday "If the French finally sell it [the warship], we should consider security measures to be taken in case the navy is deployed in the Baltic Sea". Estonian security analyst Eerik Niiles Kross said: "If Russia obtains such a modern and effective warship, which can carry a tank battalion, take aboard several hundreds of people and faultlessly control [its] operations... the possession of such an equipment will provide Russia with a considerable advantage, if it is deployed in the Baltic Sea." Russia is seeking to buy France’s Mistral-class helicopter carrier worth 400-500 million euros (around $600-$750 mln). The ship will arrive on an official visit to St. Petersburg on November 23, and the Russian Navy and defense industry experts will be able to inspect it. Moscow is also planning to build another four helicopter carriers in Russia under French licensing. A Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles, including 13 battle tanks, as well as 450 military personnel. The vessel is equipped with a 69-bed hospital and can be used as an amphibious command ship. Russian shipbuilders strongly oppose the deal and the government has yet to make a decision on whether Russia needs to build costly amphibious assault ships.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091122/156935885.html

Russia, Slovakia sign long-term nuclear power deal

13:2217/11/2009

Russia and Slovakia have signed a deal on long-term cooperation in nuclear power engineering, Russia’s state nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly AtomStroyExport said on Tuesday. AtomStroyExport participated today in the second meeting of the Russian-Slovak working group on nuclear power engineering, part of an inter-governmental commission on bilateral economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The commission noted the successful development of Russian-Slovak cooperation in nuclear power engineering, ensuring the safe operation of Slovakia’s nuclear power plants. Slovakia voiced support for the participation of Russian companies in modernizing Slovakia’s reactors, AtomStroyExport said in a statement.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091117/156872704.html

Russia’s oil output up 0.8% to 3 bln bbls in January-October

13:56 17/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 17 (RIA Novosti) Russia’s crude oil output (including gas condensate), expanded 0.8%, year-on-year in January- October 2009 to 410 million metric tons (3 billion barrels), the country’s top statistics body Rosstat said on Tuesday. In October, crude production grew 2.4%, year-on-year, and declined 3.8%, month-on-month, Rosstat said. Russia’s oil output declined 0.7% in 2008 from a year earlier to 488 million metric tons (3.58 billion barrels). The Economic Development Ministry projects oil production to amount to about 488 million metric tons in 2009, 485 million metric tons (3.56 billion barrels) in 2010, 483 million metric tons (3.54 billion barrels) in 2011 and to stabilize at this level in 2012. Oil exports are expected to hit 245.5 million metric tons (1.79 billion barrels) in 2009, 243-246 million metric tons (1.78-1.8 billion barrels) in 2010, 241-247 million metric tons (1.76-1.81 billion barrels) in 2011 and 238-245 million metric tons (1.74-1.79 billion barrels) in 2012. Russia’s natural gas production declined 17.2% year-on-year in January-October 2009 to 457 billion cubic meters, Rosstat said. In October, gas output in Russia grew 24.4%, month-on-month, and declined 0.2%, year-on-year, Rosstat said. Rosstat’s data slightly differs from the figures earlier announced by the Energy Ministry, which reported that natural gas output had dropped 16.7% year-on-year in January-October to 460.3 billion cubic meters, with gas exports down 21.3% to 123.64 billion cubic meters. The Energy Ministry forecasts natural gas output in Russia to hit 620-644 billion cubic meters in 2009, 596 billion cubic meters in 2010, 610 billion cubic meters in 2011 and 621 billion cubic meters in 2012.

http://en.rian.ru/business/20091117/156873152.html

Gazprom predicts record falls in Europe gas consumption in 2009

11:4017/11/2009

Gas consumption in Europe will fall a record 5-7% in 2009, Gazprom deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said on Tuesday. "By the results of the year, gas consumption will fall 5-7%, which is a record decline earlier observed only in separate countries," Medvedev told a forum in Moscow on the Russian gas industry. According to Eurogas, Europe consumed 517 billion cubic meters of gas in 2008. Gazprom expects temporary surplus gas reserves will disappear from the European market in 2011 and gas consumption will return to peak levels in 2012, Medvedev said.

http://en.rian.ru/business/20091117/156871617.html

Gas supplies stopped after pipeline blast in Moldova restored

17.11.2009, 15.05

CHISINAU, November 17 (Itar-Tass) - Gas supplies have been restored to all Moldovan settlements that remained without gas after the blast of a trunk gas pipeline supplying Russian gas to the Balkans, sources from the MoldovaGaz gas company reported on Tuesday.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14539493&PageNum=0

Europe aware of risks involved in gas transit through Ukraine

European companies understand the risks Russia’s Gazprom is facing while transiting its gas through Ukraine, Jean-François Cirelli, Chairman and CEO of Gaz de France said addressing the “Gas of Russia-2009” forum. Cirelli noted that his company had lost a few clients after the gas row between Moscow and Kiev last year. The Gaz de France Chairman thinks the European companies should not provide financial assistance to Ukraine but do “have to help Kiev settle its political difficulties”. A member of the board of directors of German E.ON Ruhrgas, Yoghan Waize, added that ‘Russia and Europe should guarantee reliable gas supplies through Ukraine’.

17.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54570&cid=219&p=17.11.2009

Belarus interests in Customs Union must be fully observed - pres

17.11.2009, 15.03

MINSK, November 17 (Itar-Tass) - Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has urged the government to maximally take into account the country’s economic and foreign policy interests at the stage when Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia coordinate terms of the Customs Union of the three states. “I will say unequivocally that I worry whether Belarus’s economic and foreign policy interests are enough protected and fully taken into consideration at the stage of coordinating Customs Union’s terms,” he stressed.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14539471&PageNum=0

Ukraine welcomes Russia’s intention to help it modernize its gas transit system, says Nemyria

12:35

Ukraine welcomes Russia’s intention to participate in the modernization of the Ukrainian gas transit system, Ukrainian Vice Premier Hryhoriy Nemyria said in Brussels on Wednesday. However, he noted Russia’s "negative reaction" to the conference on modernizing Ukraine’s gas transit system held in Brussels in March 2009. "This process is open and nondiscriminatory against Russia or other sides. There have been statements about Russia’s desire to participate in the modernization of the gas transit system. We welcomed and welcome the participation of European and international financial institutions [in the modernization of Ukraine’s gas transit system] at the bilateral level," Nemyria said. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, in turn, said that she would never allow the privatization of Ukraine’s gas transportation system. "Wherever I am - in power or in opposition - I will never allow the privatization of our gas transportation system, the formation of any international consortiums, or any other encroachments by other states on our gas transportation system, because it is our national treasure, which must always remain under the state ownership of Ukraine," she said.

18.11.2009

http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25295/

Medvedev thanks Sweden for nodding Nord Stream

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia has thanked Sweden for authorizing the laying of the Nord Stream pipeline across Sweden’s economic area. Medvedev told a news conference in the wake of his talks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Rainfeldt in Stockholm that the project in question was mutually beneficial and of interest to Europe since it seeks to boost European energy security. On Russian-Swedish relations Medvedev said he hoped the bilateral trade turnover would grow after it dropped this year because of the crisis.

18.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54614&cid=219&p=18.11.2009

Russian-Syrian commission to discuss cooperation prospects

02:18 18/11/2009

DAMASCUS, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian-Syrian commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation is opening its seventh meeting on Wednesday in Damascus. The commission is co-chaired by Russian Communications Minister Igor Shchyogolev and Syrian Economy and Trade Minister Amir Husni Lutfi. The two countries will discuss the state and prospects of bilateral economic, trade, investment, scientific, technological, energy, agriculture, housing, transport and IT cooperation.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091118/156881527.html

Sweden supports Russia in reinforcing European energy security

Sweden’s decision made Europe more independent in regards to natural gas transit. “Nord Stream” pipeline is a gas pipeline to supply Russian gas to Europe. It passes from Russia to Germany through the Baltic waters of Finland, Sweden and Denmark. This will diversify gas supplies to these countries plus the UK, the Netherlands and France and consumers will be able to choose more profitable and reliable energy routes. After some environmentally-related hesitations, the Swedish side agreed to construct “Nord Stream” in its economic zone. Dmitry Medvedev thanked Sweden for a well-weighed approach to the issue: "Russia appreciates Swedish decision, made after a thorough consideration of the issue and following all the domestic formalities to the letter. In my opinion, this shows that Sweden’s decision is well thought out and, on the other hand, this project is mutually beneficial, as it is aimed at making European energy security more universal". On the whole, Dmitry Medvedev noted the improvement of Russian-Swedish relations. Last year’s sales turnover accounted for 8 billion dollars, though it fell this year due to the crisis. Nobody is to blame for this as countries have to pay their due for being a part of the global economy. Dmitry Medvedev believes that Russian-Swedish trade partnership will only strengthen in future supported by numerous joint projects. Moscow and Sweden also cooperate in the fields of ecology, health and science.

18.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54646&cid=57&p=18.11.2009

Russia to join WTO using shortest way possible - Medvedev

18.11.2009, 18.04

STOCKHOM, November 18 (Itar-Tass) — President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would use the shortest way possible to join the Word Trade Organisation (WTO). He said the form of accession was less important. “What is important for us is the speed: whichever way is the shortest, we will use that way. If it turns out to be the way of concerted but individual accession, we will choose that way,” Medvedev said after a Russia-EU summit on Wednesday.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14546386&PageNum=0

Czechs mark 20 years since Velvet Revolution

13:3317/11/2009

The Czech Republic marks on Tuesday the 20th anniversary of the start of the Velvet Revolution that overthrew the communist regime in then Czechoslovakia. On November 17, 1989, riot police moved in to break up anti-communist speeches at Prague University, triggering a series of demonstrations and strikes that would eventually lead to the installment of the first non-communist government in the country since 1948 and the election of playwright and dissident Vaclav Havel as president before the end of the year.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091117/156872804.html

Revolutions Of ’89: Vaclav Havel — Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolutionary

November 16, 2009

RFE/RL correspondents Kathleen Moore and Jeremy Bransten interviewed Havel in the lead-up to celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of events that launched then-Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution.

Video a: http://www.rferl.org/content/Revolutions_of_89_Vaclav_Havel/1879569.html

48 neo-Nazis arrested in Prague

The Czech police have arrested 48 neo-Nazis who caused disturbances when thousands of citizens took to the streets to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the so-called Velvet Revolution of 1989 which led to the end of communist rule in the country. During the march, about 300 neo-Nazis from the far-right Workers Party [*, vedi nota di fondo] staged an illegal demonstration. They attacked the police and passersby with clubs and stones.

18.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54621&cid=219&p=18.11.2009

Georgian president to visit Ukraine on Wednesday

19:3116/11/2009

TBILISI/KIEV, November 16 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will arrive in Ukraine on November 18 for a three-day official visit, Georgia’s presidential administration said on Monday. The Georgian leader is expected to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yushchenko, address a business forum, and attend the opening of a new Georgian embassy building, an administration spokesman said. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Valeriy Dzhigun said on Monday that a bilateral air transportation agreement would be signed during Saakashvili’s visit. He did not give details on the deal. Dzhigun said an agreement on cooperation between the two countries’ justice ministries could also be signed.

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091116/156862567.html

Belarus’ MPs to study current affairs in Georgia, Abkhazia, S Ossetia

17.11.2009 10:30

MINSK, 17 November (BelTA) – A delegation of Belarusian Parliamentarians will travel to Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 17 November, BelTA learnt from Viktor Guminsky, Chairman of the permanent commission on the national security of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

A joint working group of twelve members of both houses of the Belarusian Parliament (eight from the House of Representatives and four from the Council of the Republic) has been formed to study the current affairs in Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Six MPS are set to visit Georgia; three parliamentarians will travel to South Ossetia and three to Abkhazia.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=449691

Ukraine’s position on Georgia’s territorial integrity unchanged, says Yuschenko

13:39

Ukraine has called for Georgia’s territorial integrity to be respected and does not recognize the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has said. "I want to confirm our unchanged position once again - Ukraine supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and does not recognize the self-declared republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," he said at a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Kyiv on Thursday.

19.11.2009

http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25453/

Kokoity ’anticipates’ Belarus to recognize South Ossetia

22:47 20/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 20 (RIA Novosti) South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said the former Georgian republic "anticipates" its recognition by Belarus, but "does not insist" on an immediate decision. "We are tied by a long history of friendship... we have much in common, in culture, traditions and faith... but we clearly realize the position of Belarus, which is expected by everybody to make a decision," Kokoity said during a meeting with a delegation of Belarusian members of parliament. "There are different forms of recognition [of a country’s independence], but we will anticipate an official recognition. It is a matter of crucial importance for our people," he said. During their stay in Georgia, the Belarusian delegation met with representatives of the Georgian opposition, the country’s parliamentary speaker David Bakradze and Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze. On Thursday, Belarusian MPs visited Georgia’s borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia and talked with displaced people. Parliamentary national security chairman Viktor Guminsky described their living conditions as "terrible". "In a civilized world such things should not happen," he told Georgia’s Rustavi-2 TV channel. "We will provide the Belarusian people and parliament with objective information about what we have seen and heard here," he said. Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Belarus to recognize their independence last year. However, Belarus has so far refused to join Russia in recognizing the republics. Under mutual assistance treaties signed last November, Russia pledged to help South Ossetia and Abkhazia protect their borders, and the signatories granted each other the right to set up military bases in their respective territories. Last week, Peru’s opposition party submitted a proposal to the Peruvian Congress to recognize the former Georgian republics as independent. Party leader Ollanta Humala said the party is currently holding talks with various political forces and parliamentary blocs to win their support.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091120/156923551.html

Flu death toll in Ukraine continues to grow rapidly

04:23 17/11/2009

KIEV, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - The number of deaths in Ukraine from flu viruses has risen to 315, with 16 passing away over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry has reported. The ministry said earlier that 15 regions in the ex-Soviet republic had already crossed the flu epidemic threshold, while 11 provinces were close to it. The Ukrainian government imposed quarantine in nine western provinces in late October in an attempt to curb the spread of flu. The Ukrainian parliament has approved the allocation of 1 billion hryvnias ($125 million) for measures to fight swine and seasonal flu, while President Viktor Yushchenko has called for international assistance. According to the Daily Mail newspaper, British scientists are examining the strain of the flu behind the deadly Ukrainian outbreak to see if the virus has mutated. Some doctors have likened the symptoms to those seen in many of the victims of the Spanish flu which caused millions of deaths world-wide after the World War I, the paper said on Sunday.

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091117/156867601.html

Russia sends Ukraine humanitarian aid to fight flu

Russia has sent Ukraine humanitarian aid to fight the flu epidemic. 1 million 265,000 roubles have been allocated from the emergency situations reserve fund for the purpose on instructions from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Earlier the Russian Ministry for Public Health and Social Development bought over 200,000 tablet packs of ARBIDOL worth 22 million roubles. The planeload of medicaments has already arrived in Kiev. A flu epidemic burst out in Ukraine late last month.

17.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54560&cid=219&p=17.11.2009

Initial tests show no mutation in H1N1 virus samples from Ukraine, says WHO

20:58

Preliminary tests of the H1N1 pandemic virus samples taken from Ukrainian patients haven’t exposed any signs of mutation, experts of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. "The preliminary genetic studies have shown that the virus is similar to the virus, against which there have been developed a pandemic vaccine, the vaccine, which has proved to be efficient at present," the statement reads. Experts examined a total of 34 samples in two laboratories in London, the UK, and in the state of Georgia, the U.S.

17.11.2009

http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25240/

Death toll from flu epidemic in Ukraine rises to 374

11:50 22/11/2009

The death toll from the ongoing flu epidemic in Ukraine has risen to 374 cases, including 11 deaths in the past twenty-four hours, the country’s Health Ministry reported on Sunday.

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091122/156938837.html

Moldovan premier reiterates promise to help rehabilitate last April riots’ victims

Nov. 18, 2009 / [8613] Chisinau, 18 November /MOLDPRES/ - Filat stressed that 2009 was deeply marked by dramatic events. "This year, young people from Moldova showed what calling things by their true name means, and had courage to fight for this truth, for freedom," the prime minister said. "I have fully committed to contribute to the rehabilitation of those who suffered in the wake of the dramatic events. We are to do more by firm actions than we have managed so far," Vlad Filat said. Filat announced that the family of Valeriu Boboc, who died in the wake of the 7 April events, is donated an apartment. He specified that the flat was not bought from the Moldovan government’s sources, but with the money collected in a special fund to help the 7 April victims. "Valeriu Boboc should have been with us today, but this did not happen. I hope that this apartment will make easier the life of his family by a little at least. May you live well. We will forget absolutely nothing of what was beautiful, what was sad, what was easy or what was difficult," Vlad Filat said. Valeriu Boboc’s father, Victor Boboc, thanked Vlad Filat for help, stressing that he hopes that the inquiry bodies will find those who are guilty of the death of his son.

http://www.moldpres.md/

Moldova 1 joins TV channels that give priority to AEI members

The last report by the Electronic Press Association (APEL) shows most of the channels covered the PCRM to a lesser extent.

Info-Prim Neo, 17 November 2009, 17:50

The Alliance for European Integration (AEI) outran the former ruling party, whose rating is now going down. In a news conference at Info-Prim Neo on Tuesday, project coordinator Vasile State said the televised programs covered the political players in a more equitable way, though they are less pluralistic than in September. The report is based on the results of the monitoring carried out at nine TV channels during October 1-30. According to the report, for the first time during the entire monitoring period, Moldova 1 joined such channels as ProTV, TV7, TVC 21 and Eu TV in giving priority to the members of the AEI. As usual, NIT covered mainly one player - the PCRM. However, the PCRM continues to enjoy the greatest attention on the television. It is followed by the PLDM, PDM and PL. The AMN is the least visible parliamentary party and is slightly outrun by the extra-parliamentary party UCM.

http://www.azi.md/en/story/6984

Osipov: Any federalization options are not acceptable for Moldova

November 19, 2009

Deputy Prime Minister for Moldova’s Reintegration Victor Osipov today met the director of the Centre for International Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution, Stefan Wolff, the government’s press service has said. Stefan Wolff is on a visit to Moldova following an invitation by the OSCE Mission to unveil the conclusions of a scientific research on federalism. "We think that we will settle the Transnistrian conflict by turning the right bank of the Dniestre more attractive to the residents from the left bank, once Moldova advances on the path of European integration, democracy and prosperity," the deputy prime minister specified.

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/osipov-any-federalization-options-are-not-acceptable-for-moldova-204505-eng.html

Regions Party collecting signatures to initiate government’s dismissal

13:00

The parliamentary faction of the Regions Party has collected 120 signatures in support of the dismissal of the government led by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, according to the faction’s deputy head, Oleksandr Yefremov. He said that the party had not yet collected the necessary 150 signatures as "not all [Regions Party] MPs are in Kyiv." Yefremov said that all of the 172 Regions Party MPs would put their signatures on a bill to initiate the government’s dismissal. He said that work is also underway on the collection of signatures of MPs from the factions that voted for the law on a rise in social standards. "In any case, we’ll register this resolution [on the government’s dismissal]," Yefremov said, when asked whether the Regions Party will insist on a vote on its initiative, even if it cannot garner the 226 votes required for it to pass.

18.11.2009

http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25296/

Ukraine marks fifth anniversary of “orange revolution”

22.11.2009, 13.06

LVOV, November 22 (Itar-Tass) - Ukraine celebrates this Sunday the fifth anniversary of “the orange revolution”, marking Freedom Day. It was instituted by a decree of President Viktor Yushchenko in November 2005 “in order to establish the ideals of democracy and to bring up the feeling of national dignity”. Festivities with the participation of the president will be held at the Ukrainian House on Sunday. Yushchenko will deliver a speech and award state decorations. It is not reported where and how Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, former comrade-in-arms in “the orange revolution” and the present key rival of the president, intends to mark Freedom Day.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14557606&PageNum=0

New German foreign minister to make first Moscow visit Friday

14:05 18/11/2009

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s new foreign minister, will make his inaugural visit to Russia on Friday for talks with his Russian counterpart, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday. According to Andrei Nesterenko, the discussions between Westerwelle and Sergei Lavrov will focus on bilateral relations. He said both Moscow and Berlin were seeking to further enhance their bilateral partnership, which he said was "a positive factor in European policies and global affairs." The two ministers would also fix a schedule of political contacts for the near future. "On the back of incomplete unification processes on the continent, Russian-German rapprochement and partnership is becoming increasingly significant," Nesterenko said.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091118/156888218.html

Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine to set up "joint army"

16:23 18/11/2009

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti military commentator Ilya Kramnik) - Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine intend to create a combined military unit: a Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade. Ukraine believes a joint formation can help its armed forces meet NATO standards. The agreement was reached at talks in Brussels, attended by Ukraine’s acting Defense Minister Valery Ivashchenko, Lithuania’s Minister of National Defense Rasa Jukneviciene and Poland’s Undersecretary of State for Defense Stanislaw Komorowski.

http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20091118/156890112.html

Putin to meet CIS counterparts in Yalta

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is leaving for Yalta, Crimea, on a two-day visit for talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko, followed by a session of the CIS Council of the Heads of Government, due on Friday. Mr. Putin’s meeting with Premier Tymoshenko will focus on gas issues, including payments for Russian gas supplies and cooperation in the nuclear power industry, other economic branches, transport and farming. The CIS leaders will discuss ways of overcoming budget constraints in 2010.

19.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=54666&cid=219&p=19.11.2009

Russian human rights activist thrown out of Kyrgyzstan

16:04 19/11/2009

BISHKEK, November 19 (RIA Novosti) The director of the Central Asian branch of Russia’s leading rights organization, Memorial, said its human rights activist Bakhrom Hamroev was deported from Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. "Bakhrom Hamroev called me from Domodedovo Airport [in Moscow] and said he had been deported from Kyrgyzstan to Russia," Vitaly Ponomaryov said. Hamroev, who is a key activist in the Uzbek community in Russia, and another human rights activist Izzatilla Rakhmatillaev were detained by Kyrgyz National Security Service officials in the country’s southern city of Osh on Wednesday. "The Kyrgyz government is out to stop research into abuses committed against so-called extremists in the region," said Andrea Berg, a Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "It is crystal clear that the two men were detained in retaliation for their work," according to the Human Rights Watch website.

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091119/156904715.html

Russia upset with US "no" on UN anti-Nazi resolution

Russia is disappointed with the US rejecting the resolution against racism adopted by the UN’s General Assembly’s committee, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday. The resolution, which was approved in New York on the initiative of Russia, in particular condemns the glorification of Nazi movement and former Waffen-SS members. US’ delegation was the only delegation, which voted against the document. 124 states voted for the resolution and 55 states abstained.

20.11.2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/2009/11/20/2366983.html

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Police: Neo-Nazis control Czech Workers’ Party

ČTK | 21 January 2009

Prague, Jan 20 (CTK) - Neo-Nazis have got control of the Czech extreme right Workers’ Party (DS), says a report on the public order and internal security situation in Prague in 2008 that Prague Police head Martin Cervicek submitted on Tuesday, but DS chairman Tomas Vandas dismissed the information. According to the report, the neo-Nazi National Resistance and the ultra-nationalist Autonomous Nationalist parties agreed with the DS on cooperation. Saying the police report is an "absolute nonsense," Vandas told CTK that the composition of the DS presidium two years ago, for instance, was the same like now. The police report says representatives of the National Resistance and the Autonomous Nationalists constitute quite a large group of DS candidates in last year’s regional elections.

http://praguemonitor.com/2009/01/21/police-neo-nazis-control-czech-workers-party