ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN CHECHNYA
Komsomolskaya Pravda, June 22, 1999, p.3
Last night hired killers opened fire with machine-guns on the house of Ibragim Hultygov, Secretary of the Chechen National Security Service (CNSS). The Secretary was not injured.
Hultygov is sure this murderous assault is a response to a CNSS operation aimed at neutralizing the so-called oil mafia.
It is noteworthy that a year ago his brother, Lecha Hultygov, was murdered and that crime has not been solved. Lecha was also the Secretary of the CNSS.
RUSSIANS ARE NOT INVITED TO CHECHNYA
Trud, June 22, 1999, p.1
At a conference of representatives of the Chechen diasporas in the CIS which ended on June 21 in Grozny, Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov has called on his compatriots to return to Chechnya and participate in the restoration of the republic
The idea expressed by the president of Chechnya is a correct and timely one, but he also stated that he is worried about the fact that the inhabitants of Chechnya leave the country drawn by Russian promises of large compensation payments and apartments. He seems not to understand that this story is something less than the truth. People leave Chechnya because they fear for their lives. By the way, it is interesting that he asked only Chechens to come back to the republic; he never mentioned the Russians who had to escape from it.
TAX ON GASOLINE STATIONS HAS NO CHANCE
Parlamentskaya Gazeta, June 22, 1999, p.1
The Duma Council has discussed the agenda for its next plenary sessions. According to the results of the discussion, all government bills will be debated in the second and third readings by Friday. As for the bill concerning the tax on gasoline stations, it has no prospects of being debated and passed in the near future.
RUSSIANS HELPING TO REBUILD BELGRADE
Moskovsky Komsomolets, June 22, 1999, p.2
On June 21 a group of construction and design specialists from Moscow left for Belgrade. They will be engaged in restoration of some buildings destroyed by NATO bombing.
The delegation was invited by the mayor of Belgrade and the Serbian government. It is supposed that the specialists will restore a few historical buildings which had been designed by Russian architects (the Opera House, the buildings of the Foreign Ministry and the government of Yugoslavia), and the television centers and railway bridge in Belgrade. Moscow has also promised to restore the bridge across the Danube near Novy Sad.
COMBAT TRAINING OF RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES
Russian Television, Vesti, June 21, 1999, 11:00
The Russian military command is continuing its inspection of the armed forces. On June 21 the Pacific Fleet completed combat training which was begun on June 13. Without pausing, the Central Headquarters of Russian Armed Forces began large scale combat training code-named “The West-99”. This strategic combat training will be conducted under the supervision of the defense minister on the territory of Leningrad and Moscow military districts, with participation of the Northern and the Baltic fleets. According to information from RIA-Novosti, the forces will test coordination between Russian and Belorussian armed forces when protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries under the conditions of a regional conflict.
In addition the military units of the two countries intend to practise skills in organizing joint protection of military objects of high importance and liquidation of the consequences of disasters and accidents.
UPHEAVALS ON KAMCHATKA PENINSULA
Independent Television, Segodnya, June 21, 1999, 12:00
The inhabitants of Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky are pitching tents in the very center of the city, near the city hall building. People spend nights there, cook meals on campfires, and collect signatures of passers-by on a petition to the UN. The petition begins with the following words: “Rescue us from the negligence of the Russian government!”
This action by the inhabitants of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was caused by the absence of electricity and heating in the towns and settlements of the Kamchatka peninsula. Electricity is switched on for three hours at two-day intervals. People who live in the camp invite all inhabitants of Petropavlovsk to join their action.
The government of Petropavlovsk stated that on June 21 a tanker with fuel for electric power stations must arrive at the city’s sea port, but it is expected that the quantity of fuel will hardly be enough to improve the situation. Signatures on the petition to the UN and the federal government are being collected throughout the city. People demand that the local government be dismissed.
At the same time the government of Japan has decided to donate $50,000 towards the purchase of electricity generators for the boarding schools of Petropavlovsk.
MUTUAL PROBLEMS OF RUSSIA AND GERMANY
ORT, Novosti, June 21, 1999, 09:00
The results of the G-8 summit showed that Russia is holding its place as Germany’s most important trading partner. During the meetings, the ministers of the two countries agreed to develop cooperation in various sectors. One of the most vital problems, both for Germany and Russia, is organized crime.
Russia offered to discuss this problem at the next G-8 summit. This is supposed to take place in Japan in July 2000.
