PRIMAKOV’S RESURRECTION
Moskovsky Komsomolets, June 30, 1999, p. 2
On June 29, former premier Yevgeny Primakov returned from Switzerland, where he had had an operation for his radiculitis.
The healthy Primakov’s homecoming is also regarded by many political analysts as his return to politics, since in Switzerland he stressed more than once in interviews that he does not discount any promising possibilities for the further development of his political career, up to participation in the presidential election.
Although Primakov’s operation, according to his wife, was not serious, his doctors recommended that he refrain from excessive physical exercise. In spite of this fact, it is already rumored that numerous parties and movements have started a struggle for the right to include Primakov on their electoral lists. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov outran all of his rivals. He phoned Primakov right after he arrived in Moscow.
ABDULLA ODJALAN IS SENTENCED TO DEATH
Moskovsky Komsomolets, June 30, 1999, p. 2
Kurd rebel leader Abdulla Odjalan has been sentenced to death for high treason and separatist activities
On June 29, a picket of Kurds protesting the sentence made on Imraly Island was held in Moscow. Hozhar Askerkurd, a representative of the Kurdistan Liberation Front, told a “Moskovsky Komsomolets” journalist that Russian Kurds will fight to free Odjalan by “not just democratic means”. As for Turkey, the situation is much more dangerous there, since a civil war is about to start in that country.
However, much time remains before Odjalan’s execution. First his lawyers will petition the verdict, then this sentence will be considered by Parliament and the president. Moreover, his lawyers intend to petition to the European Court. So Abdula will not die at least until this fall.
UNEMPLOYED IN TULA STAKE THEIR HOPES ON BEREZOVSKY
Izvestia, June 30, 1999, p. 2
Boris Berezovsky has been invited to run in the parliamentary election from Tula Electoral District No. 176. Members of the informal public organization known as Union of Unemployed Engineers of the Tula Cartridge Plant, who sent the invitation to the oligarch, consider Boris Berezovsky to be capable of improving the lives of Tula residents and restoring the Tula economy, since he is a successful businessman. Berezovsky has not sent a response to the invitation. As is known, Lebed and Korzhakov used analogous invitations in the past: both of them were elected to the Duma through Tula electoral districts.
SHAIMIEV SUGGESTS THAT MOSCOW AND MINSK UNITE ONLY AFTER A REFERENDUM
Izvestia, June 30, 1999, p. 3
Tatarstan President Mentimer Shaimiev holds that Russia and Belarus should unite only after a corresponding referendum has been held. In his interview to “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” Shaimiev said that “even an economic union should not be established without a referendum, let alone a political one.” In his opinion, even if a union state is currently being established, it is necessary to listen to public opinion. If a union state is established, “the republics of the Russian federation should declare their status”. The Tatarstan president noted, “I don’t know Belarus’ plans related to integration with Russia.” However, according to Shaimiev, Belarus will never consent to lose its sovereignty.
INCOMES ARE A TOKEN OF STABILIZATION
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, June 30, 1999, p. 1
The Russian government has fulfilled the monetary credit program for the period up to the beginning of July. As is known, this program was coordinated with the IMF.
Mikhail Zadornov, the Russian President’s Plenipotentiary for Relations with International Financial Organizations, has announced that the results of the first half-year correspond to the level of revenues required by the IMF.
RUSSIA WILL SOON GET ITS MONEY
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, June 30, 1999, p. 1
American experts are of the opinion that Russia, in all likelihood, will soon receive the first tranche of the IMF’s $4.5 billion credit. The experts believe that the board of directors of the IMF may approve allotment of the credit at the next meeting, scheduled for the middle of July.
RUSSIAN PREMIER STEPASHIN MEETS WITH LITHUANIAN PRIME MINISTER PAKSAS
ORT, Novosti, June 29, 1999, 15:00
On June 29, Russian Premier Sergei Stepashin met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas. They signed a package of economic agreements, including an agreement on long-term cooperation between certain regions of Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Sergei Stepashin noted that Russia’s relations with Lithuania are developing better than those with the other Baltic states.
TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PRESIDENTS OF UKRAINE AND RUSSIA
ORT, Novosti, June 29, 1999, 15:00
On June 29, Boris Yeltsin had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. They discussed some current bilateral and international affairs. They will continue discussion of these problems on July 4 at an informal meeting in Moscow.
THE TASKS OF SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE ELECTION YEAR
ORT, Novosti, June 29, 1999, 12:00
On June 29 a meeting of the Federal Security Service was held. The meeting was dedicated to the work of security bodies during the electoral campaign and the parliamentary election itself. Premier Sergei Stepashin attended this meeting.
Stepashin stressed that the situation in the country is difficult. In advance of the parliamentary and presidential elections, the threat to the constitutional security of the country is increasing. The premier noted that some political parties and movements admit the possibility of the involvement of force during the electoral campaign to gain political aims. Stepashin stressed that some of those parties are not even concealing their intentions.
