#4
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, December 05, 2001
- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with State Duma Chairman Gennady Seleznev to discuss the Duma's fall legislative schedule. The president acknowledged that everything is going well. Gennady Seleznev declared that it will be possible to finalize the 2002 budget this year.
- In preparation for the State Council meeting concerning the National Concept for the development and support of small- and medium-sized businesses, President Putin met with business representatives.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko, Energy Minister Igor Yusufov and representatives of Russia's nine biggest oil-producers met to discuss the cut in oil-exports demanded by OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). They decided to cut exports by 150,000 barrels a day, starting January 1st of 2002.
- After the meeting, Prime Minister Kasyanov briefed President Putin on the decision. Kasyanov and Putin also discussed the financial and economic state of affairs in Russia.
- Celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory over the German Fascist army in the Moscow battle have begun. At the 41st kilometer of the Volololamsk Highway, over a thousand veterans attended the unveiling of a monument to nine divisions and a tank brigade from Siberia and the Far East.
- Two French S-160 transport aircraft have landed in Dushanbe. The 40 marines onboard the airplanes will travel on to Mazari-Sharif, Afghanistan.
- The bodies of all 18 victims of the Il-76 crash and empty fire extinguishers have been found in the remains of the cockpit, suggesting that a fire erupted in the passenger section. Experts suspect that the fire was caused by Chinese fireworks often used in New Year's Eve celebrations. Remains of the firecrackers were found in the ruins of the plane.
- In advance of his visit to Greece, President Putin gave an interview to Greek reporters. The questions concerned topics including the operation in Afghanistan, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) expansion and Russian cooperation with NATO.
- Vice-Admiral Gennady Suchkov has been appointed Commander of the Northern Fleet by a presidential decree. Suchkov replaces Vyacheslav Popov, who was demoted for omissions in the carrying out of his duties.
- St. Petersburg deputy Sergei Mironov was elected as the new Chairman of the Federation Council by a majority of 151 votes [out of the 178 total].
- A trial against Russian members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult has begun in the Maritime Region. The accused were planning a series of terrorist acts in Japanese cities in order to demand the release of cult leader Shoko Asahara.
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