INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY QUOTES FIGURES FROM THE STATE STATISTICS COMMITTEE AS SAYING THAT…
Kommersant, May 7, 2001, p. 1
According to the latest reports from the State Statistics Committee, Russia achieved a GDP growth of 10.8% in the third quarter of 1999, something that deserves to be called an “economic miracle”. Growth slowed down after that, amounting to 10.5% in the fourth quarter of 1999. Growth reached 9% in the first quarter of 2000, 8.6% in the second, 8.8% in the third, and 6.8% in the fourth. It means that average GDP growth in 1999 amounted to 5.4% and not to 3.5% as was estimated earlier. It amounted to a total of 8.3% in 2000 and not to 7.7%. Forget the United States where economic growth in the first quarter of 2000 amounted to only 6% and fell almost to zero in the fourth.
RUSHAILO’S MEN ARE PURGED FROM THE INTERIOR MINISTRY
Kommersant, May 7, 2001, p. 3
Personnel reshuffle began almost a month ago with the appointment of Boris Gryzlov. The Interior Ministry has been virtually stripped of officers belonging to the so called Vladimir Rushailo’s team.
FOREIGN INVESTORS DISAPPOINTED
Vremya Novostei, May 7, 2001, p. 1
“A year after Mr. Putin’s inauguration foreign markets and companies are once again losing their belief that Russia may compete in the world market of investment resources,” according to a letter to Minister Herman Gref. The letter is signed by Carl Johansson of the Consultative Council for Foreign Investments in Russia, Andrew Summers of the US Chamber of Commerce in Russia, Andrea von Knoop of the Union of German Economy, and Glenn Waller of the Oil Consultative Forum.
The letter to Gref is attributed to the article of the Russian Tax Code pertaining to tax issues in the implementation of agreements on splitting of production. The authors of the letter do not think the article “is in line with the law on the agreements on splitting of production” or will “provide an adequate basis for investments”. The issue has to do with the demand that investors pay 18 more taxes above the four required by law. “It undermines the principle of splitting of production, the principle according to which the state gets profitable production in return for relieving investor of most taxes…” the letter concludes.
IVANOV BRINGS QUADDAFI A LETTER FROM PUTIN
Trud, May 8, 2001, p. 1
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has made the first visit to Libya in the history of relations between the two countries. Igor Ivanov meet with Libyan leader Muammar Quaddafi and his counterpart Muhammed Shalgam. The dialogue dwelt on a wide range of problems, including cooperation on the international arena, abolition of international sanctions against Libya (already suspended in April 1999) and bilateral political, trade, economic, and military-technical contacts.
Moscow is of the opinion that it is time to evolve regular political contacts and consultations into economic projects in the spheres of oil and gas, construction of railroads, communications, and civil aviation. Construction of a gas pipeline to Tripoli is such a project.
The prospects of the Middle East peace settlement, regional security and combating of terrorism and religious extremism were discussed. Libya’s debts to Russia were discussed as well. The possibility of Russian-Libyan summit was discussed.
