Hoax bomb call to Urals club hit by deadly fire

16:52 07/12/2009

A person suspected to be a teenage prankster made a hoax bomb threat call on Monday to the Russian nightclub hit by a deadly fire, police said. Perm’s Lame Horse nightclub has been sealed since Saturday’s fire, which claimed 113 lives and left over 100 injured, and so police with dogs searched adjacent residential buildings. No bomb was discovered. The call was made as the city held memorial services to commemorate the dead. Russia observed a national day of mourning on Monday for the victims of the blaze. Russia has an appalling fire safety record. According to the country’s emergency services, 15,165 people died in fires across the country in 2008, including 584 children. On average, 42 people die daily in Russia in fires. In the U.S., with a population over twice as large, the figure is around 3,400 deaths a year.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091207/157142566.html

Russia mourns victims of Urals club fire as 113th victim dies

Russia observed a national day of mourning on Monday for the victims of a horrific nightclub fire in the Urals. The death of two more people in hospital brought the death toll from Saturday’s blaze in Perm’s Lame Horse nightclub to 113. Over 120 people are still being treated in hospital, with 28 of them in a critical condition, according to the Russian Health Ministry. Flags are flying at half-mast and memorial services are being held. Three of the dead were buried on Sunday, and the bulk of the victims will be laid to rest later on Monday and on Tuesday. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday that no effort would be spared to assist the survivors of the blaze, which began during an indoor firework display. President Dmitry Medvedev has demanded tougher penalties for fire safety violations. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called for prayers for the dead. The club’s owner is in police custody. Russia has an appalling fire safety record. According to the country’s emergency services, 15,165 people died in fires across the country in 2008, including 584 children. On average, 42 people die daily in Russia in fires. In the U.S., with a population over twice as large, the figure is around 3,400 deaths a year. The fire came a week after a terrorist attack on a Moscow-St. Petersburg luxury train killed 26 people and injured over 90.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD/PERM, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091207/157140318.html

Perm tragedy reflects all vices of Russian bureaucracy - Putin

23:32 10/12/2009

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has slammed Russian officials over a recent fire in an Urals nightclub that took the lives of 136 people. The fire engulfed the Lame Horse nightclub in the city of Perm in the early hours of Saturday after an indoor fireworks display went out of control and spread rapidly. Over 90 people remain in hospital. "All vices of our bureaucracy - its incompetence, corruptness - were reflected in the Perm tragedy," Putin told the inner Cabinet. A preliminary investigation has revealed serious violations of fire safety regulations at the club. The government of the Perm Territory resigned on Wednesday over the tragedy. Charges were brought against three Lame Horse executives and the director of the fireworks supplier, and fire safety officials have been fired.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091210/157191978.html

Putin approves compensations to Perm fire, train crash victims

11.12.2009, 02.03

MOSCOW, December 11 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a resolution on Thursday that established federal budget compensations to victims of the fire in a night club in Perm and of the Nevsky Express train crash. Families of those killed in Perm will receive 400 thousand rubles (13.5 thousand US dollars), while those injured – 300 thousand rubles. Families of those killed in the train crash will get 300 thousand rubles. Passengers who sustained grave injuries will receive 100 thousand rubles, and those with medium and light injuries – 50 thousand rubles.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14629123&PageNum=0

Natalia Estemirova and Maksharip Aushev posthumously decorated with Russian Ombudsman’s medals

Dec 11 2009, 23:30

On the eve of the International Day of Human Rights, Moscow hosted a ceremony of awarding the medals of the Ombudsman of the Russian Federation "Hurry Doing Good". Two of the laureates were rewarded posthumously - human rights defenders Natalia Estemirova from Chechnya and Maksharip Aushev from Ingushetia. "Our ceremony is rather gloomy. Unfortunately, the modern life is full of gloomy moments. Maksharip Aushev was one of very prominent and respected Ingush citizens and figures, who kept taking their active life stand in different times. This stand was always independent. And when it is independent, not extremist, ill-wishers appear from all sides," Vladimir Lukin, Russian Ombudsman, said at the awarding ceremony, as reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Maksharip fell victim of cruel and cowardly killers, who were not capable to argue with him publicly, personally and peacefully. We condole and we are sure that Ingushetia will manage to overcome these tragic cataclysms that it is now facing from all directions," Vladimir Lukin has noted. The ceremony of awarding the medals of Russian Ombudsman took place on December 8 in Moscow, in the library-foundation "Russian Abroad". Except for the laureates and their representatives, presentations at the party were made by Yuri Lyubimov, arts director of the Moscow Taganka Drama and Comedy Theatre, Natalia Solzhenitsyna, widow of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Alexander Cherkasov, a member of the board of the Human Rights Centre "Memorial" and others.

http://chechnya.eng.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/11968/

Chechen president says let history choose who to blame for war

18:31 11/12/2009

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov marked the 15th anniversary of the start of the First Chechen War by calling for the Russian North Caucasus republic to continue to move forward. The first Chechen military campaign started on December 11, 1994, as Russian troops were deployed in the Russian North Caucasus republic "to establish constitutional order." "Let history define who is to blame for the tragedy that we had to live through at the turn of the century. Let those events never repeat. I am sure the Chechen people will have enough wisdom and courage to prevent any forces from destroying the peaceful life we have built today," Kadyrov said in an address to the republic. "Frightful memories of bomb strikes on towns and villages, of bloody events that took the lives of thousands of our compatriots - Chechens, Russians, Ingush, peaceful civilians and soldiers - have filled these 15 years," he said. Kadyrov said he was convinced there are "many happy days, many creative, scientific and spiritual achievements" ahead for the republic and asked "the Almighty to bless [the nation] on its path of peaceful development." Chechnya, which saw two separatist wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s, saw a fresh wave of violence over the summer, with shootouts and attacks on troops, police and other officials reported daily. The neighboring, mainly Muslim, regions of Russia have also been plagued by instability. Kadyrov, a former separatist who fought against Russia in the First Chechen War, has pledged to end militancy in Chechnya and occasionally leads police operations. His father, Chechnya’s first president, Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated in May 2004.

GROZNY, December 11 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091211/157204354.html

Police officer who killed south Russia journalist gets two years

13:30 11/12/2009

A court in the southern Russian republic of Ingushetia sentenced a police officer on Friday to two years in prison for killing a journalist in 2008. Journalist Magomed Yevloyev, who ran a website critical of local authorities, was shot in the head while in a police vehicle in August 2008 after being arrested at Ingushetia’s Magas airport. He died later in hospital. Police claimed the officer’s gun had gone off "accidentally." "He was shot straight in the temple," said Magomed Khazbiyev, Yevloyev’s official representative, said immediately after the shooting. Police officer Ibragim Yevloyev, who is not related to the late journalist, was convicted on accidental homicide charges. Opposition groups and his family insist Yevloyev’s death was politically motivated. Widespread media speculation after the killing said that before his arrest and subsequent death the journalist had been involved in a mid-air dispute with then Ingush President Murat Zyazikov, who was travelling on the same plane as Yevloyev. His death triggered mass protests in the volatile North Caucasus republic, with police firing warning shots to disperse demonstrators. KARABULAK, December 11 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091211/157200363.html

Russia’s Liberal Democrats gather for jubilee congress in Moscow

15:04 13/12/2009

Over 2,000 people gathered in Moscow on Sunday for a jubilee congress of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), which was celebrating the 20th anniversary of its creation. "Today’s 22nd congress is devoted to the party’s main event - the 20th anniversary of the LDPR. Over 150 delegates from the party’s 78 regional branches have come here today. Overall, there are more than 2,000 of our supporters in the hall," LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said in his opening speech at the congress. The LDPR was founded in 1989 shortly before the break-up of the Soviet Union. The party advocates the ideology of liberalism and patriotism as the main driving force to maintain and develop Russian statehood. Zhirinovsky has been the party’s leader since its inception. At the latest elections to the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, which were held on December 2, 2007, the LDPR gained 8.1% of the electors’ votes. The party has branches all over Russia and says it has more than 177,000 members.

MOSCOW, December 13 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091213/157220058.html

Russia restores full-scale military priesthood

19:16 08/12/2009

Some 30 priests will be sent to serve at Russia’s military bases as part of a program aimed at restoring full-scale military priesthood, a spokesman for the Russian Holy Synod said on Tuesday. In July, after a meeting with heads of Russia’s main confessions, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the defense ministry to restore military priesthood, which existed from the 18th century to the start of the Soviet era. "A total of 30 priests have already been selected for serving at our military bases, including in the North Caucasus," archpriest Dmitry Smirnov said during a press conference at Moscow’s Danilov Monastery, adding "the first 13 people will depart this month." "Of course, there are some specific requirements... as for their state of health, intellectual and cultural development level... they should be the best of the best," he said. At the first stage, only Orthodox priests will be sent to serve at military bases, the archpriest added. Rastam Valeyev from the Russian Muslim authority said Muslim religious organizations were also ready to prepare clerics for serving in the Russian army. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said at the press conference that, "We all believe this important step will yield its good results in the near future." Chaplains serve in the armies of all large military powers, except North Korea, China and Russia. According to the Russian defense ministry, two thirds of the country’s servicemen consider themselves religious. Some 83% of them are Orthodox, about 8% are Muslims, and 9% represent other confessions. There are about 400 priests currently serving at Russia’s military bases. A quarter of them hold military awards for serving in hot spots.

MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/Religion/20091208/157158959.html

Russia to keep silo-based ballistic missiles in future

14:38 08/12/2009

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) will keep both silo-based and mobile ballistic missile systems in service until at least 2020, the SMF commander said on Tuesday. "To successfully accomplish the set tasks, the SMF will continue to have silo-based missile systems, which can provide an immediate response [to threats] and mobile systems featuring high survivability," Col. Gen. Andrei Shvaichenko said. The general said the development of the SMF will stress the introduction of advanced missile systems although the existing systems will be kept operational until their extended service life expires. "By the end of 2016, the missile systems with extended service life will constitute no more than 20% of the total, while the share of new missile systems will be about 80%," Shvaichenko 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. According to open sources, the total arsenal of Russia’s SMF comprises 538 ICBMs, including 306 SS-25 Topol (Sickle) missiles and 56 SS-27 Topol-M missiles. Silo-based missiles constitute 45% of Russia’s total ballistic missile arsenal. They carry about 85% of nuclear warheads deployed by the SMF. The SMF commander said the number of missile systems and warheads in service in the future would depend on a new strategic arms reductions agreement between Russia and the U.S.

MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091208/157155105.html

Russia to decide on buying Mistral warship by yearend - military

17:09 08/12/2009

Russia will decide by the end of 2009 whether to purchase a Mistral class amphibious assault ship from France, the chief of Russia’s General Staff said on Tuesday. "We will make a final decision on the Mistral purchase by the end of this year," Gen. Nikolai Makarov said at a news conference. Many Russian military and industry experts have questioned the financial and military sense of the purchase. Russia’s current weapons procurement program through 2015 does not envision construction or purchases of large combat ships, so the possible acquisition of a French Mistral class ship is most likely to happen under the new program for the years up to 2020, which is still under development.

NIZHNY TAGIL (Urals), December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091208/157157150.html

Russia’s MIG company confirms delivery of naval fighters to India

17:18 08/12/2009

Russia’s MiG aircraft maker said on Tuesday it has delivered the first four MiG-29 Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter jets to India. Russia and India signed a contract on January 20, 2004, stipulating the supply of 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUBs to India as part of a $1.5 billion deal to deliver the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, currently being retrofitted in Russia for the Indian navy. Indian media earlier reported that two MiG-29K and two MiG-29KUB fighters arrived from Russia in a knocked down condition on December 4. Deliveries of the remaining aircraft will be carried out in line with a schedule agreed by MiG and the Indian Navy. The contract for the jets also stipulates the procurement of hardware for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, including flight simulators and interactive ground and sea-based training systems. The Indian Navy has named its MiG-29K squadron the "Black Panthers." The fighters will be based at an airfield in the state of Goa on India’s west coast until the Admiral Gorshkov joins the Navy under the name of INS Vikramaditya.

MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091208/157157259.html

Putin prioritizes weapons procurement for Russian army

18:28 08/12/2009

The Russian defense industry should focus its efforts on the production of modern weaponry, including tanks and armored vehicles, for the Russian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. "Our Armed Forces require new-generation weaponry to meet modern requirements," Putin said at a meeting with defense industry officials. "We will continue buying the existing military equipment until the production of advanced weaponry has been set up in the country. However, we will procure only extensively modernized military equipment," he said. The prime minister put special emphasis on tanks and other armored vehicles "as they still form the core of any army" and significantly increase the maneuverability of troops on the battlefield. Putin cited modified versions of the BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle and the T-90 main battle tank as the key armored vehicles to be supplied to the Russian Armed Forces in the near future. He also said new armored vehicles should have unified and interchangeable platforms, while manufactures should provide reliable and efficient maintenance and repair services for their equipment.

NIZHNY TAGIL, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091208/157158466.html

Russian strategic bombers complete patrol mission over Arctic

13:55 10/12/2009

Two Russian Tu-95 MS Bear strategic bombers have accomplished a routine patrol mission over neutral waters of the Arctic and Pacific oceans, an Air Force spokesman said on Thursday. "In the period of December 9-10 two turboprop Tu-95 MS bombers took off from the Ukrainka air base and successfully accomplished the air patrol mission. The route of their flight passed from the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said. The bombers were accompanied by F-15 Eagle and F-4 fighters. Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin. All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding the airspace of other states.

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20091210/157185155.html

Russia’s latest Bulava missile test unsuccessful

15:13 10/12/2009

The latest test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the White Sea in northern Russia ended in failure, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Wednesday’s test was Bulava’s seventh failure, according to official reports. Russia hopes the submarine-launched missile will be a key element of its nuclear forces. "The first two stages functioned smoothly, but the flight faltered at the third stage. There was a technical failure in the third stage engines rendering them unstable," the ministry said in a statement. The statement came after media reports on a mysterious light in the form of a spiral over Norway’s northern areas several hundred kilometers from the launch site on Wednesday. Norwegian media suggested it could be a Russian missile spinning after a faulty launch. Only five out of 12 Bulava launches have been reported successful. The previous failure occurred in July, when the missile self-destructed after its first stage malfunctioned. The latest launch had since been delayed several times. But some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures has been considerably greater. According to Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer, of the Bulava’s 11 test launches, only one was entirely successful. The future development of the Bulava has been questioned by some lawmakers and defense industry experts, who have suggested that all efforts should be focused on the existing Sineva SLBM. But the military has insisted there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put in service with the Navy. The Bulava (SS-NX-30) SLBM carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey class nuclear-powered submarines. The Bulava, along with Topol-M land-based ballistic missiles, is expected to become the core of Russia’s nuclear triad.

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091210/157186305.html

Russia successfully test launches Topol ICBM

17:30 10/12/2009

Russia successfully test launched a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, a spokesman for the Strategic Missile Forces said. Col. Vadim Koval said a RS-12M Topol missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in south Russia’s Astrakhan Region, and hit the designated target in Sary-Shagan, Kazakhstan. He said the launch was designed to test the operational capability of the Topol ICBM. The missile was in active service from 1987 until 2007, and deployed with the 54th Strategic Missile Division near the town of Teikovo, about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Moscow. The RS-12M Topol (SS-25 Sickle) is a single-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile, approximately the same size and shape as the U.S. Minuteman ICBM. The first Topol missiles were put into service in 1985. The missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km (6,125 miles) and can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of 550 kilotons. Although the service life of the SS-25 was extended after a series of successful test launches last year, the missile will be progressively retired over the next decade and replaced by mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) missile systems.

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091210/157187972.html

US missile test aborted

The Pentagon’s latest Theater High Altitude Area Defense missile failed to hit its missile target launched from a transport plane after the bogey’s engine shut off prematurely forcing the THAAD operators to abort. The THAAD missile is designed to strike down incoming short- and medium-range missiles.

Dec. 12, 2009

http://english.ruvr.ru/2009/12/12/3003348.html

Ukraine plays down fears of new gas crisis with Russia

18:31 09/12/2009

Ukraine’s national energy firm Naftogaz gave further assurances on Wednesday that no new gas crisis with Russia is looming, as it has been paying for supplies on schedule. The statement came after the National Security Council’s warning on Tuesday of the threat of a new gas dispute with Moscow, similar to the one at the start of the year, which caused losses for industries and left households in Europe without heating. "There are no financial conditions that could prevent the next payment for imported natural gas. There is nothing to suggest a new gas crisis," the company said. It also criticized the Council, headed by President Viktor Yushchenko, for its "destabilizing" statements.

KIEV, December 9 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091209/157174205.html

Yanukovych leads presidential race in Ukraine - polls

17:42 07/12/2009

Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the opposition Party of Regions, is leading polls in Ukraine ahead of the January 17 presidential elections, according to a survey by the Ukraine Public Opinion Foundation. "If the presidential elections had been held on November 29, then Viktor Yanukovych would have received 29.8% of the vote, and [Prime Minister] Yulia Tymoshenko - 14.8% of the vote," the pollster’s chief, Alexander Bukhalov, told a news conference on Monday. Former economics minister, Serhiy Tihipko, is placed third with 5.7% of the vote, followed by former parliamentary speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk with 4.8% of the vote, and incumbent president Viktor Yushchenko with 4.3% of the vote. Communist leader Petro Symonenko would have received the support of 2.9%, Supreme Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn - 2.5. A total of 12.7% would choose the "against all" option. In the runoff, 41% would cast their ballot for Yanukovych and 25.2% for Tymoshenko. A total of 20.7% of voters would choose the "against all" option. The poll was carried out on November 22-30 and covered 1,000 respondents in 85 populated areas of Ukraine, with a margin of error below 3.2%. Another survey by the same pollster shows that 40.4% of Ukrainians would like to see politicians seeking stronger ties with both Russia and Europe come to power. A total of 15.7% spoke in favor of pro-Russian foreign policy, while 6.6% of Ukrainians said they supported pro-Western politicians.

KIEV, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091207/157143055.html

Russia to send new ambassador to Ukraine after elections

20:56 07/12/2009

Russia is likely to send its new ambassador, Mikhail Zurabov, to Ukraine after next year’s presidential elections in the ex-Soviet state, Russia’s former envoy to Ukraine said on Monday. Ukraine is to hold presidential elections on January 17, 2010. "Next year, I think. I’m not sure, maybe after the elections," Viktor Chernomyrdin told journalists on Monday, answering a question of when Russia would send its new ambassador to Kiev. Russia’s previous envoy to Ukraine, 70-year-old former premier Viktor Chernomyrdin, was retired in early June after eight years in the post, where he witnessed a dramatic deterioration in relations between the former Soviet allies. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev earlier suspended Ambassador Zurabov’s arrival to Kiev until relations improved. Chernomyrdin came under threat of expulsion in February over what Ukrainian authorities said were "undiplomatic" statements critical of Kiev’s policies. Ties between Russia and Ukraine have been strained in recent years, as Ukraine’s pro-Western leaders have sought to join NATO and the European Union. Moscow and Kiev have also been embroiled in bitter disputes over natural gas supplies.

KIEV, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091207/157145258.html

Yanukovych promises to seek for reduction in gas price for Ukraine if elected president

12:25

Leader of the Regions Party Viktor Yanukovych has said he will seek a revision of Ukraine’s gas contracts with Russia so as to reduce the price of gas for the country if he wins the presidential elections. He said this during a broadcast on the Volyn state TV and radio company on Thursday. "To return to this contract with Russia is one of the issues that I have to resolve. If we fail to agree with Russia, then we will search other opportunities," he said. According to Yanukovych, the recently adopted decision to increase the price of gas for Ukraine up to the level of European prices is a "heavy load" for Ukraine. Yanukovych said that the price of $360 per 1,000 cubic meters at the eastern border with Russia could reach $400 at its final point of transportation. The leader of the Regions Party said this price was too high for Ukraine.

11.12.2009

http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/27502/

Lukashenko lauds successes of decade-old Russia-Belarus union

15:19 08/12/2009

The social equality of Russian and Belarusian citizens is a major achievement of the union state, the president of Belarus said on Tuesday in a letter of congratulations on the alliance’s 10th anniversary. "It will not be an exaggeration to say that a remarkable event took place 10 years ago reflecting the natural aspirations of Belarusians and Russians to a union based on historical ties, spiritual and cultural unity and close economic ties," Alexander Lukashenko said. The two former Soviet neighbors have been trying to build a union since 1996, but have deviated from the original idea of political integration towards socio-economic cooperation. A series of agreements signed during President Boris Yeltsin’s second term culminated in the December 8, 1999, treaty to create the Union State, but Yeltsin’s successor Vladimir Putin showed little enthusiasm for the project’s grander goals. Lukashenko said Russia and Belarus had been successfully strengthening defense and security and formulating common positions on international issues, and had achieved high levels of mutually advantageous cooperation in production and research over the past decade. The Belarusian leader, who will pay a working visit to Moscow on Thursday, has been moving his country closer to Europe as relations with the EU have thawed over the past year. Last week he reiterated his commitment to boosting ties with Russia, but also pledged to improve relations with Western Europe. In his annual phone-in on Thursday, Putin referred to Russia’s "substantial" assistance to its neighbor, which received a $1.5 billion Russian loan in 2007, borrowed $1 billion in 2008, and obtained two loans worth $500 million and $650 million in 2009, the latter from Russian energy giant Gazprom.

MINSK, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091208/157155589.html

Russia-Belarus Union State can benefit both countries - Medvedev

22:52 08/12/2009

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday both Russia and Belarus would benefit greatly from an adherence to the founding principles of the Union State. "We are moving along the path toward the creation of a unified customs and economic space," Medvedev said in a message dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the treaty. "We have a large-scale task ahead of us. Its realization is in the hands of the people." "I am convinced that by an adherence to the principles of the construction of the Union, we will successfully move forward in the interests of the well-being of Russia and Belarus," he also said. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Belarusian capital late last month, when he and the leaders of Belarus and Kazakhstan signed a package of deals to create a customs union with common tariffs, paving the way for a single economic space. Medvedev also pledged in November a 30-40% discount on natural gas for Belarus in 2010, while Prime Minister Putin said last week that a cut in energy prices for Belarus should coincide with Minsk’s integration into the Union State with Russia.

MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091208/157161468.html

Alexander Lukashenko: a lot of Union State projects are left on paper

11.12.2009 09:16

MOSCOW, 11 December (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated with regret that a lot in the Union State construction has left undone. “We should work on it,” he stressed after the session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Moscow on 10 December.

“We have not set up the single economic area, but we are determined to do it and include Kazakhstan in the process,” the President of Belarus said.

Assessing “all pluses and minuses” of the decade activity within the Union State, Alexander Lukashenko stated: “The Union State is not a chimera. It is a real and advanced integration formation on the post-Soviet territory. It has good prospects”.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=461844

Customs Union single economic territory to be launched by 2012

11.12.2009 19:11

ST PETERSBURG, 11 December (BelTA) – 1 January 2012 is set as a deadline for the formation of the single economic territory of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov told reporters in Saint Petersburg on 11 December, BelTA has learnt.

“We have agreed to submit this issue for consideration by the heads of state in Almaty around 19-20 December,” Karim Masimov said. “The next stage of the integration - the establishment of the single economic territory – will be completed by 1 January 2012.” Some 75% of agreements needed to launch the single economic area are to be prepared in H1 2011, and the remaining 25% in H2.

“If experts step up their work, this process might progress faster,” the Kazakh Premier said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=462422

Customs Union to start WTO entry talks in early 2010

11.12.2009 18:56

SAINT PETERSBURG, 11 December (BelTA) – Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan plan to start practical consultations with the World Trade Organization regarding the entry of the Customs Union into the WTO in early 2010. The information was released by Andrei Slepnev, Deputy Minister for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, in Saint Petersburg on 11 December.

“We plan to start WTO entry practical consultations at the beginning of 2010. We will address all the technical matters relating to informing WTO members about the Customs Union’s legal base,” said the official.

Speaking about prospects of forming the customs territory of the Customs Union, Andrei Slepnev said the decisions that have been made are being fulfilled. In addition, an agreement to accelerate the processes has been reached. In particular, customs clearance procedures will be relocated to Kazakhstan’s external border as from July 2010.

Andrei Slepnev also pointed out the need for common rules in trade between the Customs Union and third countries. “We plan to start negotiations early next year for the sake of unifying national trade rules and working out common trade rules of the Customs Union,” said the Deputy Minister for Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=462412

Belarus to get 8-9 mln tonnes of duty-free oil from Russia in 2010

11.12.2009, 16.07

MINSK, December 11 (Itar-Tass) - Belarus will get 8-9 million tonnes of duty-free oil from Russia in early 2010, Belarusian First Vice-Premier Vladimir Semashko said on Friday in his comments on the bilateral talks that took place in Moscow on December 10. “We’ve agreed to begin work on oil supplies to Belarus in the beginning of the year in those volumes that we have now. Approximately 8-9 million tonnes will be exported duty-free,” he said. In 2010 Belarus hopes to get 21 million tonnes of Russian oil. Semashko noted that Russia’s oil duty will not be collected. At the same time Russia and Belarus will share a duty on supply of petroleum products. He said the two countries’ presidents instructed their governments to regulate the issue of gas exports before the end of the year. Semashko stressed that no agreement on Russian gas exports to Belarus in 2010 has been reached so far.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14631827&PageNum=0

Belarus President approves several international draft agreements

11.12.2009 18:30

MINSK, 11 December (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has approved a number of international draft agreements, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

They are a draft protocol on introducing amendments to the agreement on the collection of indirect taxes on export and import and on providing works and services in the Customs Union from 25 January 2008, a draft protocol on the collection of indirect taxes and control over tax payment while exporting or importing goods to the Customs Union, a draft protocol on the collection of indirect taxes on works and services in the Customs Union.

The President also approved a draft agreement on the mutual recognition of the accreditation made by certification bodies and testing laboratories, a draft agreement on the circulation of products subject to mandatory assessment of conformity on the customs territory of the Customs Union.

Apart from that, the Belarusian leader affirmed the Customs Union draft agreement on technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary control.

Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky has been authorized to hold the relevant negotiations and sign the documents.

http://www.belta.by/en/main_news?id=462394

Moldovan parliament fails to elect president in the second attempt

December 07, 2009

The second attempt to elect Moldova’s parliament failed today as the opposition Communists boycotted the ballot. According to the report by the parliamentary commission in charge of holding the presidential election, the candidate of the ruling alliance for the office of head of state, Marian Lupu, received 53 votes out of the 61 necessary. Parliament Speaker Mihai Ghimpu said that the ruling alliance should meet citizens’s will of having a president and added that the alliance committed that Lupu would become president. Moldpres (State news agency, Republic of Moldova)

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/moldovan-parliament-fails-to-elect-president-in-the-second-attempt-204775-eng.html

Moldova’s communists boycotted presidential election on 6 December

December 07, 2009

The Communist Party faction today refused to take part in electing a new Moldovan president. Addressing the forum, MCP faction chairperson Maria Postoico stated that nothing has actually changed since the first electoral attempt of last November 10. She accused the parliamentary majority of their “attack against the settled democratic principles and traditions, pressure on the mass media, and persecution of people for their political convictions”. “Today, i.e. nearly a month since the previous electoral attempt, we are again being offered the same candidate on same conditions. Neither the Alliance for European Integration, nor the Democratic Party, nor the presidential candidate personally have heard or perceived the arguments we put forth”, said Maria Postoico. She stressed that not the Communist Party but exactly the Democratic Party and personally its chairman have brought the political situation in the republic to a highest boiling point. “The person pretending to play the role of a Constitution guarantor, a defender of democracy, freedom and independence of the Republic of Moldova has failed to be brave and firm enough to support in parliament even a single initiative proposed by the opposition”, stated the opposition faction head. Postoico explained, “It would be simply treacherous before our electorate, our country and ourselves to vote for such a candidature proposed by the ruling alliance. We do what the Moldovan people asked us to do, what a half of voters in the country have cast their ballots for. We do not trade in our Motherland, and shall not let anybody to!” That heard, the entire Communist faction raised and left the room. And though a number of MCP parliamentarians, who attended a plenum of the MCP Central Committee on Monday early morning, spoke for taking part in the elections, even these deputies quitted the session room together with the rest of their party comrades only a couple of hours later. Throughout the Monday’s special meeting of parliament, the representatives of all AEI factions repeatedly called upon their MCP colleagues to promote the overcoming of the political crisis, but the Communists only swallowed the calls silently and grinningly, showing no reaction, and waiting for a sign to raise and leave. Marian Lupu thus received 53 votes of the governing Alliance for European Integration that had nominated him as the presidential candidate. By law, president of Moldova is elected in parliament by minimum three-fifths of the legislative forum, i.e. by 61 deputies. So, the December 7 voting was unsuccessful. Now Moldova’s Acting President, Parliament Chairman Mihai Ghimpu is supposed to dissolve the Parliament and announce the date of one more early parliamentary election. However, the Parliament may be dissolved only in a year after the last forum disbandment, i.e. not before June 16, 2010. With an account of the election campaign duration, which may not be shorter than 45 days, the elections will take place apparently not earlier than next autumn. It is noteworthy that the electoral legislation, in its newly amended shape, does not stipulate the deadline for parliament dissolution or a deadline when the early election date must be declared. Already after the MCP faction’s departure, Speaker Mihai Ghimpu assured his coalition comrades remaining in the half-empty room that “president shall all the same be elected soon – even despite the Communist boycott”. He emphasized, “The Communists shall not achieve their goal. There shall be no early election”, though did not elaborate how this forum can overcome the continuing political stalemate. Last week, acting president Ghimpu signed a Presidential Decree on setting up a Commission for Constitutional Reform. He proposed to work out a package of constitutional amendments to improve the order of electing president. Ghimpu believes it would be expedient to amend the legislation through a nation-wide referendum so as to overcome the political crisis lasting nearly a year, and to thus prevent one more early parliamentary election. Infotag

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/moldovan-parliament-fails-to-elect-president-in-the-second-attempt-204775-eng.html

Moldova’s communists boycotted presidential election on 6 December

December 07, 2009

The Communist Party faction today refused to take part in electing a new Moldovan president. Addressing the forum, MCP faction chairperson Maria Postoico stated that nothing has actually changed since the first electoral attempt of last November 10. She accused the parliamentary majority of their “attack against the settled democratic principles and traditions, pressure on the mass media, and persecution of people for their political convictions”. “Today, i.e. nearly a month since the previous electoral attempt, we are again being offered the same candidate on same conditions. Neither the Alliance for European Integration, nor the Democratic Party, nor the presidential candidate personally have heard or perceived the arguments we put forth”, said Maria Postoico. She stressed that not the Communist Party but exactly the Democratic Party and personally its chairman have brought the political situation in the republic to a highest boiling point. That heard, the entire Communist faction raised and left the room. And though a number of MCP parliamentarians, who attended a plenum of the MCP Central Committee on Monday early morning, spoke for taking part in the elections, even these deputies quitted the session room together with the rest of their party comrades only a couple of hours later. Throughout the Monday’s special meeting of parliament, the representatives of all AEI factions repeatedly called upon their MCP colleagues to promote the overcoming of the political crisis, but the Communists only swallowed the calls silently and grinningly, showing no reaction, and waiting for a sign to raise and leave. Marian Lupu thus received 53 votes of the governing Alliance for European Integration that had nominated him as the presidential candidate. By law, president of Moldova is elected in parliament by minimum three-fifths of the legislative forum, i.e. by 61 deputies. So, the December 7 voting was unsuccessful. Now Moldova’s Acting President, Parliament Chairman Mihai Ghimpu is supposed to dissolve the Parliament and announce the date of one more early parliamentary election. However, the Parliament may be dissolved only in a year after the last forum disbandment, i.e. not before June 16, 2010. With an account of the election campaign duration, which may not be shorter than 45 days, the elections will take place apparently not earlier than next autumn. It is noteworthy that the electoral legislation, in its newly amended shape, does not stipulate the deadline for parliament dissolution or a deadline when the early election date must be declared. Already after the MCP faction’s departure, Speaker Mihai Ghimpu assured his coalition comrades remaining in the half-empty room that “president shall all the same be elected soon – even despite the Communist boycott”. He emphasized, “The Communists shall not achieve their goal. There shall be no early election”, though did not elaborate how this forum can overcome the continuing political stalemate. Last week, acting president Ghimpu signed a Presidential Decree on setting up a Commission for Constitutional Reform. He proposed to work out a package of constitutional amendments to improve the order of electing president. Ghimpu believes it would be expedient to amend the legislation through a nation-wide referendum so as to overcome the political crisis lasting nearly a year, and to thus prevent one more early parliamentary election. Infotag

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/moldovas-communists-boycotted-presidential-election-on-6-december-204776-eng.html

Moldovan ruling coalition forecasts communist party’s dissolution

December 08, 2009

The parties of the ruling Alliance for European Integration (AIE) have called for unity and unanimously stated that the Party of Communists’ (PCRM) refusal to participate in the 7 December presidential election would lead to its dissolution. On the other hand, the Communists said that they displayed unity during the repeated presidential election and noted that the alliance would collapse.

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/moldovan-ruling-coalition-forecasts-communist-partys-dissolution-204794-eng.html

Tkachuk blamed for communists’ refusal to elect Moldovan president

December 08, 2009

The Communist Party leader and ex-President Vladimir Voronin has been "programmed" by a group of Communist lawmakers, led by [former presidential aide] Mark Tkachuk, to hinder the election of Democratic Party leader Marian Lupu as president, the honorary chairman of the Democratic Party, Dumitru Diacov, told journalists today after the Moldovan parliament failed to elect the president in the second and last attempt.

Diacov said that the Communist MPs have been involved in a fierce struggle for leadership in the party, with a group of lawmakers supporting the election of the president, while another one opposing it.

"I have convinced myself that the Communist Party is being run by Mark Tkachuk rather than by Vladimir Voronin. Tkachiuk has already started compiling lists of betrayers and threatening his party colleagues. Last evening, a number of Communist lawmakers were ready to come to parliamentary rostrum today and try to persuade their colleagues to cast their votes for Marian Lupu. Yet, today they changed their mind," Diacov said.

During negotiations with the Communist Party, the Democratic Party has done his best to convince its members to vote for Lupu, Diacov said, adding that the Communists now bear responsibility for negative consequences of the political instability.

"The Communists would have voted if they indeed wished to steer the country out of the crisis. But they only wished to use the Democratic Party in order to return to power, and we did not allow this to happen. If the Communists say that they do not want to see Mihai Ghimpu as [acting] president, then why hadn’t they voted for Marian Lupu in order to have another head of state already tomorrow? I believe that the Communists are interested in Ghimpu continuing to hold the presidential office and making all kinds of statements, this way fuelling Communists’ counterstatements. The Communists are interested exactly in this ra! ther than in a calm situation in the country," Diacov said.

Infotag news agency

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/tkachuk-blamed-for-communists-refusal-to-elect-moldovan-president-204806-eng.html

Moldovan Communists show cracks after Lupu boycott

December 09, 2009

A leading member of Moldova’s Communist group in parliament said today he was quitting and taking with him three or four other members because of the bloc’s boycott of a new president. A Communist walkout from parliament, enforced by the party’s leadership, meant Marian Lupu, who represents a new Western-leaning coalition, missed being elected president by eight votes in the delicately balanced assembly on December 7. Another parliamentary ballot is not possible and the outcome means the small ex-Soviet country of 4.1 million, Europe’s poorest, will face paralysis in decision-making next year with much-needed reform being shelved. Parliament is now likely to be dissolved in the second half of 2010 and a new general election called. "The boycott of the election of president is forcing me to leave the [parliamentary] faction," Communist bloc deputy Vladimir Turcan said. "I think three or four deputies will follow my example. I intend to leave the parliamentary faction of the Communist Party and will remain an independent deputy or form a new grouping in parliament," he told PRO-TV Chisinau television. Communists in parliament toed the party line on Lupu’s election even though several of them had been ready to back him in the interests of ending a political stalemate in the country. The country, which lies between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, has been gripped by uncertainty since the Communists won an election last April that was condemned as fraudulent by the liberal opposition. The result led to violent protests in which the parliament building was ransacked and a snap election was called in July which the four-party Alliance for European Integration went on to win. The Communists, led by ex-President Vladimir Voronin, appear to be counting on improving their position in a new general election that is now likely for autumn 2010. "The Communists acted illogically and so the party is suffering. We in the right-wing alliance must go ahead if we get the chance of splitting it," Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who leads the Liberal Democrats in the alliance, told Reuters. "We will support those who leave this party and we will do all we can to destroy it," said Serafim Urechean, leader of another alliance party, Our Moldova. Lupu, a 43-year-old economist, appealed to the Communists to put "narrow interests" behind them and support him for the presidency for the sake of the country. But in the end Voronin, a personal enemy of Lupu’s, prevailed and the party insisted all its lawmakers boycott his election.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Moldovan_Communists_Show_Cracks_After_Lupu_Boycott/1898621.html

War likely if Azerbaijani territorial integrity violated - minister

16:59 12/12/2009

A war between Azerbaijan and Armenia is inevitable if the two sides fail to settle the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in favor of Azerbaijan, the defense minister said Saturday. "If the issue is not settled so that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is preserved, a war is inevitable," Safar Abiyev told journalists. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh first erupted in 1988, when the mountainous region claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia. Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and 1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in 1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted. The OSCE Minsk Group, comprising the United States, Russia and France, is a mediator in the conflict.

BAKU, December 12 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20091212/157212579.html

Palestinian foreign minister to visit Russia

13:22 07/12/2009

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki will pay a visit to Russia on Tuesday for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said. "At the meeting, bilateral cooperation issues will be discussed in detail, with a focus on providing the Palestinians with support in achieving their goals of creating a unified, strong and effective government and state institutions, and overcoming their severe socio-economic problems," ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said. The spokesman said that the visit shows the high level of trust and understanding in Russian-Palestinian relations, and stressed that open dialogue with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is crucially important. In mid-November, the Palestinian authorities said they were preparing to ask the UN Security Council to define the 1967 borders as the new borders of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian foreign minister’s planned visit to Moscow comes a week after Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s stay in the Russian capital.

MOSCOW, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091207/157139398.html

Medvedev says Russia looks to boost trade with India

16:14 07/12/2009

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev highlighted Moscow’s determination to step up trade with India during a meeting with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday. "We hope we will make a stride forward in all areas of cooperation," Medvedev told Singh. Medvedev said he expects bilateral trade to rise to $10 billion next year from $5 billion in January-September 2009. "We look to the future with optimism," Medvedev said. "As early as next year we plan to reach a commodity turnover of $10 billion. But this is not the limit given our economies’ potentials and the size of our markets." Singh is in Moscow for talks that are set to bring multibillion dollar contracts in the defense and energy sphere. India seeks to increase uranium fuel imports from Russia and Russian investment in its nuclear power plants.

MOSCOW, December 7 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091207/157142185.html

Abkhaz CEC Says Polls Valid

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 12 Dec.’09 / 21:30

Breakaway Abkhazia’s central election commission (CEC) declared presidential election in the region valid saying that more than half of voters have cast ballot in Saturday’s polls. Over 64% of voters turned out at polling stations by 7:30pm local time, half an hour before the polling stations were closed, an official Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported. Incumbent Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh’s bid for re-election is challenged by four other candidates - Raul Khajimba, former vice-president of the breakaway region; a businessman and a former lawmaker Beslan Butba, who is leader of Party of Economic Development; head of state-owned Abkhaz Shipping Company Zaur Ardzinba and a scholar Vitaly Bganba. Khajimba, Butba and Ardzinba complained about electoral violations in Gagra, Gudauta and Gali districts, claiming that additional voter lists were inflated. “Large number of violations may serve as detonator of tensions,” Raul Khajimba said. A bitterly contested presidential election between Bagapsh and Khajimba grew into a political crisis in Abkhazia five years ago, which ended with power-sharing deal between the two men with Khajimba taking vice-presidential post. Authorities in Tbilisi said election in breakaway Abkhazia was “immoral comedy” stage by the occupying force – Russia. But the Georgian officials also say that Tbilisi is watching developments in Abkhazia. “We are not indifferent towards developments in Abkhazia and we are not indifferent towards the matter of who will be those people from that side with whom we will have to talk on resolving some local issues related to wellbeing of the population,” Temur Iakobashvili, the Georgian state minister for reintegration, said. The Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on December 12 that “the occupant regime… in Abkhazia, is putting up another show titled ‘presidential elections.’” It also said that in this “farce” a candidate “selected by Moscow long ago, will be announced ‘president’ of the proxy regime.”

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21776

Incumbent Abkhaz leader wins presidential

12:5913/12/2009

Abkhazia’s incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh has won presidential elections in the first round, with 59.4% of votes cast in his favor, the Central Election Commission said on Sunday. Abkhazia held on Saturday its first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. The winning candidate was required to win a majority of 50% plus one vote to be declared the winner in the first round of the election. Former vice-president Raul Khadzimba received 15.4% of the votes, shipping director Zaur Ardzinba 10.8%, opposition leader Beslan Butba 7.9% and independent candidate Vitaly Bganba 1.5%, the Central Election Commission said. Sixty-year-old Bagapsh has been president of the former Georgian republic since January 2005. In his election campaign he pledged to focus on the development of the Abkhazian economy, improve living standards and raise wages. He also said that in its foreign policy Abkhazia would continue strengthening political and economic ties with Russia. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has condemned the vote as an illegal Kremlin-backed gesture in an "occupied territory."

SUKHUMI, December 13 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091213/157219394.html

Re-elected Abkhaz leader Bagapsh to be inaugurated February 12

15:46 13/12/2009

Abkhazia’s incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh who won Saturday’s presidential elections in the former Georgian republic said on Sunday his inauguration would take place on February 12 next year. Abkhazia held on Saturday its first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. The winning candidate was required to win a majority of 50% plus one vote. According to preliminary official results announced by the Abkhazian Central Election Commission, Bagapsh secured 59.4% of the vote, almost four times more than second-placed Raul Khadzimba with 15.4%. Shipping director Zaur Ardzinba received 10.8%, opposition leader Beslan Butba 7.9% and independent candidate Vitaly Bganba 1.5%, the Central Election Commission said. "The entire [inauguration] procedure will be very modest, quick and without any pomp," Bagapsh said. Sixty-year-old Bagapsh has been president of the former Georgian republic since January 2005. In his election campaign he pledged to focus on the development of the Abkhaz economy, improve living standards and raise wages. He also said that in its foreign policy Abkhazia would continue strengthening political and economic ties with Russia. Abkhazia’s re-elected president said Abkhazia intended to implement some large-scale economic projects with Russia, including exploration works on the seabed of the Black Sea, a project to build a gas pipeline from the Russian city of Tuapse to Sukhumi and arrange railway and air communication.

SUKHUMI, December 13 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091213/157220284.html

Russia hails Abkhazian presidential vote result

13:59 13/12/2009

Russia hailed on Sunday the results of the presidential elections in the former Georgian republic of Abkhazia, which re-elected incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh. The Abkhazian Central Election Commission announced on Sunday preliminary results of the presidential elections in the republic, according to which Bagapsh secured 59.4% of the votes, almost four times more than second-placed Raul Khadzimba. "We can congratulate Sergei Bagapsh with the victory. We’ll work with the president who has been elected by the Abkhaz people and we’ll continue cooperation in all directions," said Igor Lyakin-Frolov, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s information and press department. Abkhazia held on Saturday its first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. The winning candidate was required to win a majority of 50% plus one vote to be declared the winner in the first round of the election. Former vice-president Khadzimba received 15.4% of the votes, shipping director Zaur Ardzinba 10.8%, opposition leader Beslan Butba 7.9% and independent candidate Vitaly Bganba 1.5%, the Central Election Commission said. Sixty-year-old Bagapsh has been president of the former Georgian republic since January 2005. In his election campaign he pledged to focus on the development of the Abkhaz economy, improve living standards and raise wages. He also said that in its foreign policy Abkhazia would continue strengthening political and economic ties with Russia. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has condemned the vote as an illegal Kremlin-backed gesture in an "occupied territory."

MOSCOW, December 13 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091213/157219733.html

Abkhaz CEC: Bagapsh Re-Elected

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 13 Dec.’09 / 14:07

According to preliminary results of Saturday’s vote Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh, will be re-elected with over 59% of votes, the breakaway region’s central election commission (CEC) said on Sunday. Bagapsh’s main rival, former vice-president Raul Khajimba received 15.4% of votes; head of state-owned Abkhaz Shipping Company Zaur Ardzinba – 10.8%; a businessman and a former lawmaker Beslan Butba – up to 8% and university professor Vitaly Bganba – 1.5%. Russian news agencies reported quoting the breakaway region’s CEC that voter turnout was 73%.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21777

CIS politics priority for Russia - Lavrov

14:00 09/12/2009

Political developments in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are a priority for Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. "Events and politics in the CIS are of absolute priority in our [Russian] foreign policy. But relations with countries that are not part of the CIS are also important for us," Lavrov told a European and Asian media forum organized by RIA Novosti in Moscow. The top Russian diplomat said the modern media plays an important role in the promotion of dialogue between nations and peoples, and was capable of overcoming ideological barriers. The fourth European and Asian media forum opened in Moscow on Wednesday, bringing together more than 150 of the world’s top media managers. During the two-day event, journalists from the CIS and Baltics will be able to meet their Russian colleagues, representatives of government institutions, well-known politicians and public figures during plenary sessions, panel discussions, round tables and sectional work in various media spheres.

MOSCOW, December 9 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091209/157169265.html

CIS Economic Council to focus on trade relations

02:22 11/12/2009

MOSCOW, December 11 (RIA Novosti) - The Commonwealth of Independent States’ Economic Council will discuss trade relations between CIS member countries during a meeting due in Moscow on Friday, the CIS executive secretary said. Sergey Lebedev said participants of the meeting are expected to discuss the establishment of an interstate network of information and marketing centers intended to favor the merchandising of goods and services in national markets. He said information and marketing centers would allow the increase of trade turnover between CIS member states and provide consumers with high-quality and cheaper production. The development of a joint anti-missile defense project, agreed by CIS member states in 1996, is also included in the agenda of the talks.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091211/157193445.html