DISMISSALS ON THE EVE OF REGIONAL ELECTIONS
Tribuna, October 6, 2000, p. 1
On the eve of the election in the Perm region, Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo has dismissed Vladimir Sikerin, head of the Prikamye Main Department of the Interior Ministry, and the right-hand man of incumbent Perm Governor Gennady Igumnov. Vladimir Semenov, Prosecutor of the Perm region, subsequently resigned.
This dismissal was preceded by a lot of inspections within the regional department of the Interior Ministry. The interior minister ascribes his decision to the high crime rate in the Perm region.
CHUBAIS VERSUS THE CIA
Moskovsky Komsomolets, October 6, 2000, p. 2
Anatoly Chubais says he is ready to meet any person or organization in court, and to sue the CIA if it is responsible for damaging his business reputation.
Christopher Cox, a member of the US Congress, has accused several Russian officials, including Anatoly Chubais, of corruption. He said that the CIA has evidence in support of this allegation. Chubais has written to the congressman, describing the accusations as groundless.
MILOSEVIC HAS FOUND AN ALLY
Moskovsky Komsomolets, October 6, 2000, p. 2
LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky intends to go to Yugoslavia for the second round of the election, set for October 8.
According to Zhirinovskym the supporters of Vojislav Kostunica, who think that their leader won in the first round of voting, should not boycott the election: “If Kostunica thinks he has won, he need not worry: he will get 80% in the second round.”
T-90S TANKS WILL NOT GO TO INDIA
Izvestia, October 6, 2000, p. 2
Reports that a contract for the delivery of T-90S tanks to the Indian Armed Forces has been signed are false. This statement was made by Eduard Churikov, Assistant to the General Director of the Ural Plant. India wants to buy these tanks at a low price. Nevertheless, the Ural Plant hopes that the contract will be signed. According to certain reports, the 2001 draft budget allocates funds for the purchase of these high-quality tanks.
GAZPROM EXTRACTS GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN
Izvestia, October 6, 2000, p. 2
On October 5, Gazprom chief Rem Vyakhirev said that next year Gazprom will reduce gas deliveries to RJES, the electricity monopoly. In addition, Vyakhirev plans to supply the Russian market with gas bought from Turkmenistan. It is clear that gas prices will rise.
AMERICANS SHOULD CUT BUSINESS LINKS WITH RUSSIAN DEFENSE SECTOR
Izvestia, October 6, 2000, p. 1
The US State Department has issued a warning American companies which do business with Russia. It is calling on them to refrain from contacts with the Russian defense sector. In its press release the State Department calls any deals with the Russian defense sector “very risky,” because “they inevitably attract the attention of Russian security agencies, and may result in accusations of espionage.” A State Department spokesperson directly linked this statement with the arrest of US businessman Edmond Pope, who has been charged with espionage against Russia.
