#17 - JRL 7235
TV1 Review
www.1tv.ru
Compiled by Luba Schwartzman (luba_sch@hotmail.com)
Research Analyst, Center for Defense Information, Moscow office
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS,
Saturday, June 21, 2003
- Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Security Council, dedicated to natural resources, social conditions and military security in Siberia.
- State Duma deputies held their last meeting before the summer holiday. They discussed the 8 candidates for Presidential Envoy for Human Rights, the upcoming tax reform and the results of the spring session. Four constitutional laws and over 100 federal laws were accepted during the last session. Half of the laws have already been signed by the President.
- Hussein Isaev was elected Head of the Chechen State Council. State Council members, the 42 administration heads of Chechen regions, also discussed Friday’s terrorist act in Grozny and a number of security issues.
- 38 people were injured yesterday when a truck loaded with explosives was blown up 20 meters away from the Chechen Administration building.
- Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Yevgenii Soloviev declared that amnestied Chechen rebels can become employees of law enforcement agencies if they prove their loyalty to the government.
- Russian military observer serving with the United Nations forces, Major Igor Biryukov, has been kidnapped in the Congo, along with a Tunisian military observer.
- The first Unified Center for Registration of Legal Entities opened in Moscow.
- The directors of Russian and Ukrainian judiciary structures gathered to discuss socioeconomic rights -- the right to free medicine and education, financial assistance and compensations. A Coordination Justice Council for the Defense of Human Rights was created.
- Russian peacekeepers in Georgia may be left without electricity starting next week. Georgian authorities are debating who should pay the utility costs. In the meanwhile, the debt has grown to about $65,000.
- Graduations ceremonies were held in Russia’s military institutes.
- Members of the Cooperation Council International Club met in Moscow to discuss the functions of the UN Security Council and the creation of a stronger coalition for the fight against international terrorism.
- Transportation between the Russian Far East and China has been restored.
- Three workers were killed at a construction site in Moscow, when a platform cabin fell from a height of 20 meters.
- Russia and Lithuania signed a document on simplified transit visas for Russian citizens travelling to Kaliningrad.
- The British Royal Covent-Garden Ballet began guest performances in the Bolshoi Theater.
- The 25th International Film Festival opened in Moscow. The winning picture will be announced on June 29th.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
- June 22nd is the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow in Russia. Germany attacked Russia 62 years ago on this day. Over 26.5 million people were killed in World War II.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin placed a wreath by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- On the eve of his trip to London, President Putin gave an interview to British Journalists. He discussed economic cooperation and cooperation in international security affairs, including the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the resolution of the crisis in the Middle East.