#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, November 14, 2001
- The trial of infamous Chechen terrorist Salman Raduev begins tomorrow in Makhachkala. Security measures have been strengthened; Daghestani police is on high alert. General Prosecutor Vladimit Ustinov, who will preside over the court, has already arrived in Makhachkala.
- Tatyana Dmitrieva, the director of the Serbsky National Research Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry commented on Salman Raduev's psychiatric evaluation: "Raduev did not try to simulate any psychiatric disorders, he freely answered all of our questions. We did not find any signs of psychiatric illness."
- The trial of the five Karachaevo-Cherkessia residents accused of preparing terrorist acts and participating in illegal military formations is over. Three of the accused have been sentenced to 15 years, one to 13.5 years, and yet another to 9 years in a high security prison. The court established that all five underwent training in a special Wahhabi camp in the Cehchen settlement of Avtura and then moved to Cherkessk, where they were preparing to conduct terrorist act. Their connection to the apartment house bombings in Moscow and Volgodonsk, however, was not proven.
- Large-scale electricity power cuts have began in Smolensk. Mikhail Khvostantsev, the general director of "Smolenskenergo" stated: "The situation is tragic. We have to limit either enterprises, thus depriving workers of their salaries and businesses of their profits, or the debtors, which means residents." Hospitals and some schools will not be affected by the blackouts.
- The front pages of all major newspapers was dedicated to the Putin-Bush summit today. Particular attention was paid to the question of strategic arms limitations.
- The Russian first lady, Ludmila Putina toured the Library of Congress with the library's director, an expert on Russian literature and history, James Billington.
- While in Washington, President Putin met with famous hockey players, Vyacheslav Fetisov, Pavel Bure and Valeri Bure.
- The European Court of Human Rights has began reviewing the claim of Tatyana Slivenko, a Russian citizen who was not allowed to visit Riga, the home of her parents, by Latvian authorities.
- The last echelon carrying Russian weapons has left the Transdniester region. Defense Ministry representatives have refuted rumors that the military technology will be transferred to Afghanistan, to the Northern Alliance.
- Labor unions held rallies throughout the nation demanding changes to the new Labor Code. Speakers declared that the new law deprives workers of many benefits and guarantees, while the conditions of new labor contracts leave them with virtually no social protection from the employers.
- Mikhail Shmakov, the head of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions stated that the conflict that brings workers to the rallies is not between the laborers and the government, but between the employees and the employers.
- The Defense Ministry's Commission on the questions of the autumn military draft has began its work. For many, this commission is the last chance to receive an exemption from the draft.
- Another debate on the right of governors to be re-elected for a third term has begun in the Duma. After a closed vote, sixty-nine regional leaders will retain the right to be elected for a 3rd, or even fourth term.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov is flying to Spain on an official visit. He will meet with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Maria Aznar, to discuss economic, trade, and political cooperation. He will also attend an audience with King Juan Carlos I.
- The Civil Code, a set of social laws, and defense questions will be reviewed by the Federation Council today.
Next Article