RUSSIA TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS IN ARMENIA
Komsomolskaya Pravda, July 19, 2000, p. 3
The Russian Foreign Ministry considers the decree signed by Vladimir Putin on the ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and Armenia, which concerns the legal status of Russian citizens living in Armenia, to be a great success.
This document was signed in August 1997 but only now, Russian people who live in Armenia (there are about 15,000 Russian citizens in that country) feel themselves protected: Russia will take care of them. Likewise, the Armenian diaspora in the Russian Federation enjoys the same rights as Armenian citizens in Armenia.
A Russian citizen does not have to serve in the Armenian Army (and vice versa). If a Russian citizen is arrested, Armenian authorities have to inform the Russian embassy.
According to the Treaty, both countries will develop a system of schools with national languages.
BASAEV HAS MERCY ON THE DEFENSE MINISTRY
Trud, July 19, 2000, p. 6
Shamil Basaev, who was silent for a long time after losing his leg, has reminded the world about his existence. He sent the command of the Joint group of the Federal Forces in the Northern Caucasus an ultimatum: within 72 hours, the federal forces have to extradite Colonel Yury Budanov, commander of the 160th tank regiment, who is accused of murdering a Chechen girl. If this demand is not satisfied, Basaev promises to deliver a series of strikes on police detachments and the Internal Forces. The terrorist asked civilians to evacuate Russian military objects. But this time, he also noted that he will avoid attacking detachments of the Defense Ministry.
CHINA AND RUSSIA UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER
Izvestia, July 19, 2000, p. 2
Putin arrived in Beijing on July 17from Sochi. He spent the evening walking with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in the alleys of the residence. The latter informed the president about the latest political events.
The main themes of the discussion between the Russian president and the Chinese leader were military-technical cooperation and economic relations. The Russian Federation and China have expressed similar concerns about the US’ intention to create a national anti-missile defense system.
AN ATTEMPT ON THE PRESIDENT’S LIFE
Izvestia, July 19, 2000, p. 3
On July 18 at about 13:00, an attempt was made on the life of Yusup Soslambekov, President of the Confederation of the Nations of the North Caucasus. Investigators have suggested that Chechen extremists, who were seeking revenge, undertook the assassination attempt. At the same time, Aslan Maskhadov rejected this explanation.
A MEETING IN CHERKESSK
Izvestia, July 19, 2000, p. 3
On July 18, representatives of nationalities living in the territory of Karachaevo-Cherkessia held a meeting in Cherkessk. They demanded that Vladimir Semenov, Governor of the Republic, be dismissed.
According to the organizers, the meeting was attended by about 4,000 people. The participants in the meeting tried to draw attention to the decision of Boris Berezovsky to leave the Duma.