#2 - JRL 7245
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 28, 2003
- The biggest military exercises in 20 years were held on the Baltic Sea. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the exercises, along with Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. The presidents discussed Russian-Polish relations. They then traveled to Baltiisk, where they held a press conference.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov met with French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. They visited the Russian National Library and participated in the closing meeting of the International Roundtable “Age of Enlightenment and Modernity.” Kasyanov noted that Russian-French relations are at their best in many years. He added that Russia and France are the driving powers of European processes in the 21st century.
- The Chechen State Council met in Grozny. An official document confirming that only the State Council and the head of the Republic Chechnya have the right to speak for the people of Chechnya.
- An All-Russian forum of supporters of the United Russia Party supporters was held in Moscow. 3,500 businessmen, politicians, public figures, actors, and simple citizens from all Russian regions gathered in Luzhniki. The motto of the forum is “Together with the President.” President Putin sent his greetings to forum participants.
- Petrozavodsk residents celebrated the 300th anniversary of their city.
- Volgodonsk residents have been without hot water for several months. The city owes energy providers 135 million rubles.
Sunday, June 29, 2003
- Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the closing ceremony of the 25th International Moscow Film Festival and met with the stars of international cinema.
- President Putin was satisfied with the results of joint Baltic and Northern Fleet exercises. Over 30 vessels participated in the exercises.
- Prime Minister Kasyanov visited the St. Petersburg International Military-Naval Salon and met with French Prime Minister Jean- Pierre Raffarin. Kasyanov reported that Russia and France are preparing for the joint production of a modern 5th-generation military airplane.
- Russian Minister of Internal Affairs Boris Gryzlov inspected the work of law enforcement structures in Karelia.
- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko met with Japanese Foreign Minister Ioriko Kawaguchi to discuss economic cooperation, the utilization of nuclear submarines and the Angarsk- Nakhodka oil pipeline.
- A summer camp for handicapped children was opened in the Tula Oblast.