A MERGER WITHIN THE FSS STRUCTURE

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A MERGER WITHIN THE FSS STRUCTURE

Izvestia, September 1, 1999, p.1

The Federal Security Service (FSS)has acquired a new structure: a Department for the Protection of the Constitutional System and Fighting Terrorism was formed as a result of merging the second department with the eighth department. As reported by the press service of the FSS, the reorganization is not urgent and is connected with the scheduled reorganization of the FSS structure.

Meanwhile, there was no lack in the activities of the Department for Fighting Terrorism. A fresh example: the role of the bodies of the executive power branch, which deal with fighting terrorism “within the framework of their competence” consists of 16 ministries, five state committees, eight federal services (beyond the FSS), the State Reserves’ Agency, Road Agency, and finally, the Main Department for Special Presidential Programs. There is also the Federal Anti-Terrorism Committee headed by the Russian prime minister.

"OGONEK" SPARKLES IN THE EYES OF AGENTS

Komsomolskaya Pravda, September 1, 1999, p.1

On Monday agents of the Main Department for Fighting Organized Crime (MDFOC)of the Russian Interior Ministry detained one of the leaders of the criminal world Alexander Okunev. As the press service of the MDFOC stated, in the criminal circles the “thief of the law” is known under the nickname “Ogonek”. During the detainment a foreign-made pistol of 7.62 caliber containing eight bullets and several does of heroin were withdrawn from Okunev.

According to Interfax, the “authority” is one of the key figures in the Russian criminal world. In Moscow he acted as a certain arbitrator among the criminal communities of the capital.

RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY REPULSES ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS

Moskovsky Komsomolets, September 1, 1999, p.2

The Defense Ministry is attentively considering a possibility for rendering military assistance to Kyrgyzstan in liquidating the gangs of Islamic extremists. However, according to Sergeev, who on August 31 paid a visit to Tashkent, the matter has not yet come as far as the help with the military forces.

Only the allotment of the military techniques and ammunition is under consideration. It seems after military’s successes in Dagestan the Defense Ministry began to perceive Islamic extremists like personal enemies; wherever they appear Russian Defense Ministry is rushing to repulse them. If the whole matter continues like this, Russia will have to wage local wars in several places at once.

FLOOD IN THE SOUTH OF THE PRIMORYE REGION

Trud, September 1, 1999, p.1

The Partizansk district and Nakhodka city have experienced serious showers which have been continuing in Primorye for two days. According to the information of the regional Department of Civil Security and Emergency Situations, the flood resulted in two lethal outcomes and over 12,000 people reside in the critical flood area.

As reported by the press service of the regional department, water has crashed asphalt covers on highways around Nakhodka in the area of over 30 km in diameter, also 3 bridges; 474 private houses in the suburbs were partly flooded, and 26 hectares of farmlands were flooded.

The Municipal Committee to Emergency Situations of Nakhodka declared a state of emergency in the city.

Over 700 private houses were partly flooded in the Partizansk district, many villages remained without electricity and means of communication.

Over 160 people and 55 vehicles are active in the consequences of the calamity.

On Tuesday weather conditions improved, and waters of the Partizanka River started to descend.

LESS DEBTS OF THE WAGES

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, September 1, 1999, p.1

On August 31 at a meeting the government discussed ways to repay debts to state employees by the end of 1999. As Vice Prime Minister Valentina Matvienko stated at the conclusion of the meeting, the federal budget had completely repaid its debts to state employees, which is far from being true regarding local and regional budgets. On the whole by September 1 the government managed to decrease the total debt on the wages by two times and currently it is 8.3 billion rubles.

SURRENDER BEREZOVSKY AND DO NOT TOUCH BORODIN

Tribuna, September 1, 1999, p.1

Investigator of the Russian General Prosecutor’s Office Nikolai Volkov made it for Bern and already met with Swiss General Prosecutor Carla del Ponte. Until lately the Swiss disclosed the time of the meeting and the names of the delegates.

One more investigator Georgy Chuglazov, who is dealing immediately with searching the corpus delicti in the mutual relations between the Mabetex firm and the presidential circle, was removed from the journey. But it was he for whom the Swiss colleagues arranged meetings with very important witnesses, including ones in the banking circles.

Volkov’s arrival is estimated in Switzerland as the sign of the fact that the Kremlin is ready to surrender Boris Berezovsky who was recently very close to the family circle. As for the Swiss law enforcement agencies, they are ready to discuss with the guest all requests received from Moscow. As official representative of the Swiss General Prosecutor’s Office Dominique Raymon stated, “We are helping our Russian colleagues in investigating the cases of Mabetex and Aeroflot. However, we do not want to get involved into internal political discussions.”

ALEXANDER NIKITIN APPEALED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT

Izvestia, September 1, 1999, p.2

Alexander Nikitin, former marine officer and an agent of the Norwegian ecological organization, who is accused of disclosing top secret military data and high treason, appealed to the European Court to Human Rights in Strasbourg. He considers it to be illegal to protract the investigation and respectively the court trial of his case. During almost four years after being detained, Nikitin was at first in the temporary confinement cell, and later was given parole, which limits his movements in the country. Nikitin assumes that the Russian system of justice violates two articles of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms.

YELTSIN: OUR TASK IS TO ESTABLISH FIRM MULTI-POLAR PEACE

ORT, Novosti, August 31, 1999, 12:00

On August 31 ambassadors from 12 countries delivered their credentials to Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the Large Kremlin Palace. As Yeltsin said, “The main task to be solved is to establish a firm milti-polar peace, based on principles and standards of international rights. You know that Russia proposes serious initiatives in this sphere. The development of international relations on a democratic basis, strengthening of global stability and security, and the increase of the role of the UN, are among our tasks.

FEDERAL FORCES INCREASE STRENGTH OF THEIR STRIKES IN DAGESTAN

NTV, Segodnya, August 31, 1999, 12:00

Federal forces continue to increase the strength of their strikes on extremists who are entrenched around the Karamakhi, Chabanmakhi, and Kadar villages of the Buinaksk district of Dagestan. According to the information at hand, the grouping of commandos consists of some 500 people. Air and artillery strikes are being permanently delivered to the positions of the commandos. During the past 24 hours the military aviation made eight helicopter flights and delivered strikes on the area of the Chaban mountain, and east and south-east of Durangi village. Mist in the mountains creates big hindrances for the flights and the estimation of the effectiveness of the strikes. According to the data of the reconnaissance, current losses among commandos are estimated at 50 people. The federal forces also suffered losses. According to the official reports of the temporary press center of the Russian Interior Ministry in Dagestan, during two days the internal forces and the police suffered five deaths and over 30 were wounded.

Police units continue their work on disclosing the people suspected of links with guerrilla formations, and detained 8 people during the last 24 hours. In the Botlikh district of Dagestan Russian internal forces jointly with agents of the Interior Ministry of Dagestan continue to fulfill combat tasks in the area of the Andi village and the Kharami mountain pass in order to prevent commandos from penetrating there from Chechnya.

RUSSIA TO HELP KYRGYZSTAN

Russian Television, Vesti, August 31, 1999, 14:00

The situation in the south of Kyrgyzstan, where rebels have invaded, was discussed on August 31 at a meeting of Vladimir Putin with First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Boris Silaev. According to Kyrgyzstan, Russia showed readiness for rendering military-technical aid to the republic in order to fight the terrorists. Already on September 1 Russian Defense Minister Igor Ivanov will fly for Tashkent, where he will discuss the situation with the local authorities of Kyrgyzstan.

Kazakhstan, in turn, sent a group of military experts to Osh city today. They will participate in the work of the headquarters by coordinating the actions of the united armed forces in fighting the terrorists. In the near future Russia will send to Kyrgyzstan the military techniques, ammunition, and even special forces that necessary if required.

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