#3
ORT Review
www.ortv.ru
Compiled by Luba Schwartzman (luba7@bu.edu)
Research fellow at the Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and
Policy at Boston University
HEADLINES,
Thursday, September 20, 2001
- Russian security services do not discount the possibility that two of
the terrorists suspected in the attacks in the U.S. -- brothers Nawaq and
Salem Alhamzi may have trained and fought in Chechnya.
- Salman Abuev, the head of the regional department of interior affairs in
Chechnya and a close associate of the Chechen regional administration
head, Akhmad Kadyrov, was killed last night. His car was ambushed as he
and six of his men were returning home from work. Fighters have
threatened Abuev numerous times, and his name was at the top on the list
of people sentenced to death by the separatists.
- Chairman of the Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko has announced that he
will not remain in office for a second term. Gerashchenko has one year
remaining, and, he explains, it will not be an easy one.
- Russian President Vladimit Putin spoke with French President Jacques
Chirac over the telephone today. Chirac told Putin about his discussions
with the American President and the British Prime Minister. The Russian
and French presidents agree that, in the war against terrorism, it is
necessary to use all of the international mechanisms -- above all, the UN
and its Security Council.
- The Northern Fleet is conducting large-scale military exercises.
- Security Council Chairman Vladimir Rushailo and Tajik President Emomali
Rakhmonov visited the Tajik-Afghan border. The 48th border troops
division monitors a 257-kilometer area of the border. Tensions in the
area are always high. If a large enemy force crosses the Panj river,
reinforcements from the 201st division will be called in. There should be
no increase in the number of Russian troops in the republic in the near
future. Any increase in forces will be made through additional enlistment
of Tajik men. A different problem is the problem of refugees, who may
collect at the border with the beginning of American bombardment.
Tajikistan will not be able to accept them. Two years of drought have
caused problems with provisions, and the republic would not be able to
feed the refugees. In addition, the Tajik government fears that
emissaries of extremist organizations might enter Tajikistan under the
guise of refugees. This could pose serious problems not only for the
republic, but for the entire region.
- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov met with UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan in New York.
- New arguments have been presented in the discussion of Latinization in
Tatarstan. Supporters of the Latin script explain that it is more
condusive to Turkic languages. Opponents feel that linguistic subtleties
have nothing to do with it -- they feel that this is a political matter.
The Latin script was used in Tatarstan between 1927 and 1939. At that
time there was talk of changing the Russian language to the Latin script,
so that, after the worldwide victory of the working class, it would be
easier for the proletariat of all nations to communicate. The Tatars had
used runes in ancient times, and Arabic script since the Xth century.
Many linguists feel that the drive towards Latinization is a manifestation
of globalization. Turkey under Ataturk was the first to switch to Latin
script. As the most powerful Turkic state, Turkey has been trying to
extend its influence into the nations of the Commonwealth of Independent
States and the republics of the Russian Federation.
- Aleksandr Lukashenko's inauguration ceremony was held today. All
leaders of diplomatic missions, with the exception of the American
ambassador, were present as the Belarusian President was sworn in to his
second term in office. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Lukashenko a
congratulatory letter, which was read by Chairman of the State Duma
Gennady Seleznev. As per the Constitution, members of the Cabinet will
hand in their resignations today and a new government will be formed.
Lukashenko, however, has announced that the socio-economic policy will
remain the same.
- American newspaper The Washington Post has, once again, published
information that the Uzbek and Tajik government have allowed the U.S. to
use air bases on the territory of the republics. This information has,
however, been refuted by Tashkent and Dushanbe.
- An acting head of one of the regional military registration centers,
Rustem Daminov, is on trial at a military tribunal in Omsk. Daminov is
accused of receiving a bribe for a false military card. If convicted, he
could be imprisoned for seven to twelve years.
- At today's cabinet meeting, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov
announced that the 2002 budget will be reviewed, and that, in light of
this year's successful economy, it could be increased in practically all
areas. The cabinet also discussed Russia's credit-monetary policy for
next year.
- The fate of the Land Code was decided at the State Duma today. The law
was passed decisively in the third reading. Duma deputies were greeted by
the predictable communist picket. Many of the 150 protesters, however,
carried signs demanding early elections, a review of the results, and a
change of ministers.
- It's housewarming season in Lensk. Workers are already painting the
houses and putting up wallpaper. Many new houses are being registered
every day.
- In Washington, Igor Ivanov declared that Russia is prepared to fully
support the United States in the struggle against terrorism. Military aid
and the use of Russian bases located on the territory of the Central Asian
republics has not been discussed. Russia is most interested in forming a
qualitatively new relationship with the United States: one based on mutual
trust and partnership. Since the U.S. has not yet elaborated on the
details of the actions it plans to take against the terrorists, Russia can
not make a decision on whether it will take part in the operations.
