PUTIN AND ROSSEL: PALS AGAIN
Kommersant-VLAST, N 8, March 1-3, 2003, p. 22
On February 26, United Russia made an unexpected decision to support Sverdlovsk Governor Eduard Rossel in the gubernatorial race scheduled for this September. Vladislav Reznik, Unity Faction Deputy Chairman, broke this piece of news. Rossel in his turn will support United Russia in the parliamentary election.
The pro-Kremlin party’s decision is unexpected because back in 2000 Rossel found himself on President Putin’s black list for his criticism of the power structure reforms initiated by the former. Following that, Unity and Fatherland bloc began killing all Rossel’s candidates for Sverdlovsk legislature, and Pyotr Latyshev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Urals federal region, began castigating the governor at every opportunity.
The decision of United Russia indicates that Putin has finally made friends with Sverdlovsk governor at the meeting in the Kremlin in the middle of February.
GAZPROM INTERESTS TO BE SOLD
Kommersant-VLAST, N 8, March 1-3, 2003, p. 22
Gazprom shares in approximately 160 sideline enterprises totaling almost 6 billion rubles are to be sold in 2003 on the decision of the Board of Directors. Insiders say, however, that the sale of media assets was not discussed at the meeting. Gazprom-Media General Director Alexander Dybal announced that in 2003 the company would be transformed into a new holding with 49% controlled by Eurofinance and 51% controlled by Gazprom. For its part, Eurofinance would pay a part of Gazprom-Media debts so as to up the attractiveness of the future company for investors.
ANATOLY KVASHNIN INSPECTING THE TROOPS IN CHECHNYA
Izvestia, March 4, 2003, p. 3
Chief of the General Staff Anatoly Kvashnin is inspecting the United Federal Group in Chechnya. This Monday, Kvashnin inspected the Khankala garrison hospital. Kvashnin will inspect the movement of military commandant’s office in mountainous Chechnya, the site of special operations.
KALININGRAD CONNECTED WITH THE RUSSIAN-LATVIAN BORDER TREATY
Izvestia, March 4, 2003, p. 3
Leadership of the European Parliament connects the solution to the Kaliningrad problem with ratification of the Russian-Latvian border treaty by the Russian parliament. Elmar Brock, Chairman of the International Committee, emphasizes that the treaty should be ratified and should come into effect before July 1, 2003.
