#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,
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
- Russian forces in the Transdniester region are guarding ammunition
stores that remain in Moldova after the withdrawal of the 14th army
division. The Transdniester elite does not want to part with the Russian
arms, and Russian peacekeepers hear many unkind words from its
representatives and from local residents.
- Thirty American Air Force technicians have arrived at the Khanabad
military base in Uzbekistan. Reports from Tashkent explain that the air
base will not go under the full control of the Americans.
- The Russian health ministry is following the recent anthrax cases in
Florida.
- Preliminary results of the medical examination of the 14 bodies found at
the scene of the TU-154 crash have been released by the General
Prosecutor's office. They support the explosion theory that has been put
forward. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has expressed his willingness
to agree with the conclusion of the joint Ukrainian-Russian working group.
He told journalists that he is aware that missile fragments were found
near the crash site and said that this prompts many questions. At the
same time, Kuchma feels that the TU-154 catastrophe will not adversely
affect the Ukrainian reputation. He notes that mistakes happen
everywhere, not just in Ukraine.
- The operation to lift and transport the Kursk nuclear submarine is
almost completed. Tomorrow morning, the first of the two floats that will
be used to transfer the Kursk to the working dock will be set up.
- King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, who are in Russia on an
official visit, have arrived in St. Petersburg. Today the royal couple
brought flowers to the Defenders of Leningrad monument and took a tour of
Tsarskoye Selo and Yekaterininsk Palace. In the evening King Carl and
Queen Sylvia will visit the Hermitage museum and attend the theater.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov stated that much was
accomplished during his two-day visit to the Czech Republic. Nine
documents were signed, including two agreements concerning repayment of
Russian debts. According to the agreement, 46 percent of the debt will be
written off and the rest will be reconstructed for the next 20 years.
- The Land Code was accepted by an overwhelming majority at today's
Federation Council session.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov made several important statements
concerning the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan at today's meeting
of the Federation Council. He noted that Russia is prepared to provide
its airspace for transport, but not for fighter aircraft; that Russia
would be willing to take part in search-and-rescue, but not military
operations; and that Russia could send weapons, but not instructors to the
Northern Alliance. Ivanov also noted that the current situation in
Abkhazia is very alarming.
- Divisions of the Abkhaz army continue to block a group of Chechen and
Georgian fighters in the Kodor Gorge.
- The issue of the emergency situation in Moscow's Butyrskaya prison was
discussed at a special meeting at the Justice Ministry.
- Reports from operatives state that Jordan-born field commander Khattab
was wounded in the latest special operation. A total of 30 fighters --
possibly including some of Khattab's closest men -- were eliminated.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin had a 30-minute telephone conversation
with Uzbek President Islam Karimov. The two leaders discussed the latest
developments in Central Asia. Both expressed satisfaction with the level
of Uzbek-Russian coordination.
- President Putin met with Konstantin Totsky, the director of the Russian
border troops. Totsky reported on the situation on the Tajik-Afghan
border and at the Abkhaz region of the Georgian-Russian border. The
latter will be reinforced with subdivisions from the defense and interior
ministries.
- In the suburbs of Moscow, a search for three armed deserters in on.
Privates Ageev, Blemp, and Bogdanovsky ran away from the Khimki division's
military detention center.
- A seven-point earthquake shook the region south of Lake Baikal. No
casualties have been reported.
- Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani has arrived in Tajikistan to meet
with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rakhmonov. They will discuss the
situation in the region, and in Afghanistan itself.
- In connection with recent events, a state of heightened military alert
has been declared in Kazakhstan.
- The Russian State Duma will consider a number of amendments to Russia's
Civil code.
