#5 - JRL 7253
TV1 Review
www.1tv.ru
Compiled by Luba Schwartzman (luba_sch@hotmail.com)
Research Analyst, Center for Defense Information, Moscow office
HEADLINES
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chairman of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arkady Volsky to discuss the growth of industrial production in the first 6 months of the year and relations between the government and the business community.
- A working group has been formed within the presidential administration to develop measures to raise the GDP. President Putin has set the goal of doubling GDP. Minister of Economic Development German Gref predicts that the GDP will grow by 5.7% this year.
- President Putin signed a decree on writing off debts from agriculture producers. He also signed a decree raising pensions by 8%, effective August 1.
- Prince Charles of Wales arrived in Arkhangelsk. He took a tour of the Solovetsk Island, visited the Spass-Preobrazhensky Monastery and the museum of political repressions. 450 years ago, the first British ambassadors visited the Russian North.
- Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov began his working trip to the North Caucasus. He discussed the work of the Joint Group of Forces and local administrations with Chechen Prime Minister Anatoly Popov, visited a hospital in Khankala, and presented state awards and new insignia to officers who merit higher ranks.
- Two officers from the Northwestern Federal District Directorate of the Interior Ministry were detained in St. Petersburg. The captain and lieutenant were members of a criminal organization.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov discussed the Road Map to Peace plan, the situation in Iraq, and bilateral relations with Syrian leaders.
- A bomb was discovered by the entrance to a cafe near the Dinamo metro station. Police officers blocked off the scene and evacuated customers and personnel. An investigation is underway.
- The Central Electoral Committee has introduced a new application form that must be filled out by political parties, electoral blocks and individuals participating in the upcoming State Duma elections. It is 30 pages long, with 58 attachments.
- A criminal case will not be initiated on the incident of the “air-to- earth” missile that altered its course during a training exercise and destroyed a house in the Rogulovo settlement. The house will be renovated for free.
- The trail of three residents of Karachaevo-Cherkessia, accused of participating in the organization of the Dubrovka Theater terrorist act, will be postponed.
- The United Russia Party will create a system to protect entrepreneurs from extortion and bureaucratic harassment.
- The General Prosecutor’s Office ordered the Ministry for Taxes and Collections to conduct a tax investigation of the Yukos oil company.
- The social expenses in next year’s budget will be increased by 20%.
- Training exercises begin in the Pacific Fleet.
- Deputy Prime Minister Galina Karelova reported that 1.2 billion rubles have been allocated for maintenance and repairs of summer camps for handicapped children.
- Today is the last day for high school graduates to submit documents to Russian universities. Entrance exams began today at some universities.
- Operations to clean the spilled oil continue in the Baltic Sea.
- Over 9,000 Krasnodar Krai residents were left without electricity after heavy thunderstorms and hurricanes passed through the region last night.
- Renowned Russian poet Andrei Dementiev celebrates his 75th birthday.