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Fax service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week To verify receipt of your fax, call (703) 487-4679 between 7:00am - S:00pm, Monday - Friday, Eastern Time ) Daily Report Central Eurasia FBIS-SOV-96-063 CONTENTS 1 April 1996 NOTICE: An * indicates material not previously disseminated in electronic form. y CHECHEN AFFAIRS Russia: Yeltsin Presents Peace Plan for Chechnya [Moscow ORT] Russia: Yeltsin Answers Questions on Chechnya [Moscow NTV/ Russia: ‘Text’ of Yeltsin Decree on Chechen Crisis //TAR-TASS] Rassias Yeltsin: No Simple, Quick Solutions to Chechnya Issue /[KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA 30 lar Russia: Zyuganov Views Yeltsin's Peace Plan for Chechnya //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Zyuganov Proposes Trilateral Commission Ts Solve Chechen Conflict (INTERFAX ] Russia: Dudayev Offers To Conduct Peace Talks With Zyuganov [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 30 Mar] Russia: Federal Troops Stop ‘Ail Operations’ in Chechnya //TAR-TASS] Russia: Federal Commander Reacts to Deadline To Halt Combat [Moscow NTV] Russia: Military Apologizes for Accidentally Bombing Chechen Village //TAR-TASS / Russia: Basayev Said No Longer Taking Orders From Dudayev //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Special Operations Against ‘Terrorists’ To Continue //TAR-TASS]/ INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS CIS: Yeltsin Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony {Moscow ORT] CIS: Belarusian President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony [Moscow ORT] CIS: Kazakh President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony [Moscow ORT] CIS: Kyrgyz President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony /Moscow ORT] CIS: Presidents Issue Statement on Integration Treaty /ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 30 Mar] CIS: Yeltsin Announces Lukashenka To Chair Interstate Council {Moscow ORT] RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Foreign Ministry Summons U.S. Envoy Over Confidentiality //TAR-TASS/ 9 State Department Seen Upstaged in Foreign Policy by CIA /NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA 29 wane cowecucnxnxeun4ea Russia: Yeltsin Postpones Ukraine Visit Over Black Sea Fleet Issue /JTAR-TASS/ Russia: Chernomyrdin Wants No Changes to Black Sea Fleet Accords //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Grachev, Ukraine's Defense Minister Upbeat on Talks /KOMMERSANT-DAILY 28 Mar] Russia: Moscow To Procure 25 Strategic Bombers From Ukraine /INTERFAX] Russia: Yeltsin Meets With PRC's Qiao Shi, Comments on Talks //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Primakov Holds Talks With Indian Counterpart, President //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Primakov: Military Cooperation With India Not Destabilizing //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Vice Premier Davydov Cited on Libya Visit /JZVESTIYA 30 Mar] Russia: Moldovan Premier Arrives for Talks on Cooperation //TAR-TASS/ RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Political Issues Russia: Polls Show Yeltsin “Gaining Ground’ Against Zyuganov /Moscow NTV/ Russia: Yeltsin Said Unwilling To Take Part in TV Election Debates //7VESTIYA 29 Mar/ Russia: Legal Aide Denies Yeltsin Breached Election Law //TAR-TASS] _....... laine Russia: NTV President Malashenko Joins Yeltsin Election Team /J7VESTIYA 28 Mar] FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 Russia: Democratic Party Leader Favors Lebed for President [INTERFAX] Russia: Presidential Candidate's Registration Rejected //TAR-TASS] — Communists Seen Anticipating Defeat in June Elections /[ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 30 ar Russia: Smirnyagin Introduces Paper's Series on Elections [ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 29 Mar] Russia: Yeltsin Proposes Amendments to Code of Criminal Procedure //TAR-TASS] — Daily’s Chief Editor Appointed to Presidential Staff Post /ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 30 ar Russia: Zyuganov Promises Communist Support for Integration [Moscow Radio] Russia: Communists Want Vice President Post Instituted / INTERFAX] : Ri Miners Meet With Zyuganov; Zhirinovskiy Fails To Appear /NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA 30 , Russia: Commission Approves Electioneering in State-Run Media [INTERFAX] Military Issues Russia: Yeltsin Addresses Internal Troops Parade [Moscow ORT] Russia: Internal Troops Commander Shkirko Profiled /ROSSIYSK/IYE VESTI 30 Mar] Russia: Statistics on Armed Forces, Other Troops’ Manning Cited /PRAVDA 29 Mar] Russia: Officers Dismissed After Draftee Dies of Malnutrition /7RUD-7 29 Mar-4 Apr] Federal Assembly Russia: Duma ‘Experts’ Drafting Document To Restore Warsaw Pact //T7AR-TASS] Russia: Communist Duma Committee Chief Criticizes Yeltsin Plan [INTERFAX] Russia: Federation Council Chairman Supports Yeltsin Chechnya Plan //TAR-TASS] Russia: Federation Council Sets Measures on Relations With CIS /ITAR-TASS] Regional Affairs Russia: Aushev Opposes Russian Troop Deployment in Ingushetia //NTERFAX] Russia: Vologda Administration Head Temporarily Suspended /PRAVDA-5 29 Mar-5 Apr] Russia: Krasnoyarsk Defense Complex Stops Work for Want of Funds //TAR-TASS/ Russia: Livshits: Salary Debt Payment Plan to Regions ‘Fulfilled’ /INTERFAX] Russia: Insolvent Vorkuta Seeks Bailout From Komi Republic /JZVESTIYA 29 Mar] Russia: Altay Kray Elections Said Marked by Gerrymandering /[ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 29 Mar] Russia: Luzhkov Addresses Reelection Campaign Meeting /ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 29 Mar] Economic Issues Russia: Soskovets Attacks Economy Ministry's Performance [SEGODNYA 29 Mar] Russia: Soskovets Outlines Objectives for Industrial Policy {//TAR-TASS] Russia: Davydov: UN Sanctions Against Libya Cost Russia $4 Billion //TAR-TASS] Russia: Minister Opposes Privatization of Railroads [NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA 30 Mar] UKRAINE International Affairs Ukraine: Shmarov, Grachev Agree on Transfer of Black Sea Fleet Ships /Kiev TV/ Ukraine: Kuchma Comments on Black Sea Fleet, Yeltsin's Visit /INTERFAX/ Ukraine: Basing of Black Sea Fleet Main Obstacle in Talks With Russia /UN/JAN/ — Deputy PM Rejects Moscow's Stance on Sevastopol ere: GAZETA 30 ar FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Central Eurasia Ukraine: Kuchma Views Prospect of Joining Customs Union [INTERFAX] Ukraine: Pipeline Enterprise Suspends Russian Oil Transit to E. Europe /INTELNEWS/ Ukraine: Restrictions Imposed on British Beef Imports /INTELNEWS] Ukraine: Chinese Parliament Speaker ‘Satisfied’ With Meetings //TAR-TASS/ Ukraine: Foreign Minister Says Taiwan Issue China's Domestic Affair /UNiAN] Ukraine: Pact Signed With U.S. To Establish Chernobyl Safety Center /INTELNEWS! National Affairs ag og ‘ggprvcas Bans Animal Product Imports From ‘Some Countries’ /ZA soacital neananctatied ‘ Ukraine: News Contols Adopted for Exports of Nuclear Materials (INTELNEWS] _ .. er New Chief of Armed Forces General Staff on Military Reform /UKRAYINA MOLODA 22 ar Ukraine: Communist Rally in Sumy Calls For USSR Restoration /HOLOS UKRAYINY 28 Mar] Ukraine: Kuchma Appoints Deputy Premier for Political, Legal Issues [Kiev TV/ WESTERN REGION Belarus Belarus: Polish, Belarusian Presidents Meet in Brest Region (BELAPAN/ Belarus: Lukashenka: Poland's NATO Membership “Warsaw's Affair’ [INTERFAX] Belarus: Supreme Soviet Approves Plan To Sign Treaty With Russia //TAR-TASS/ Moldova Moldova: Constitutional Court Rules Snegur May Run for Reelection /BASAPRESS/ Moldova: Snegur Requests Cancellation of Law Limiting Press Freedom /INFOTAG/ CENTRAL ASIA re Bh rose en Report Russian Air Attacks [Voice of Free Tajikistan]. ..... Tajikistan: About 100 Suspects Detained After Journalist's Death /ITAR-TASS] CAUCASUS Armenia Armenia: Private Joint-Stock Company To Control Nuclear Power Plant a’, Armenia: Firing Across Azerbaijani Border Resumes [SNARK] beaten iadactiinesil Azerbaijan Azerbaijan: Gasanov, Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Discuss Ties /TURAN/ Georgia Georgia: Shevardnadze Welcomes Yeltsin's Chechen Settlement Pian //TAR-TASS/ Georgia: Shevardnadze Weekly Interview | Apr (Tbilisi Radio] _......... ‘ala Georgia: Shevardnadze Makes Independence Day Address to Party Meeting [Toilisi Radio| Georgia: Russian Defense Minister Arrives To Inspect Troops / INTERFAX / FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Russia: Yeltsin Presents Peace Plan for Chechnya LD3103180496 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1430 GMT 31 Mar 96 J Address >y Russian President Boris Yeltsin in Moscow on 31 March — recorded] (FBIS Translated Text} Esteemed compatriots! As | promised, today, on 31 Mach, I will reveal to you the program for settling the crisis in the Chechen Republic, which over a year ago turned into an armed conflict. Because of the extreme importance of today’s staiement on settling the Chechen problem, | decided to invite esteemed journalists to answer their questions after the Statement. The Chechen crisis is Russia's most difficult problem. There is no simple way of ending this conflict, nor could there be. It needed a lot of time to thoughtfully study all the proposals and assess possible versions of our actions and their consequences. Two commissions were set up with the most highly qualified experts participating in their work, which resulted in a program for settling the crisis in the Chechen Republic. It was discussed twice by the Security Council, and after the finishing touches were put to it, it was adopted. Now this program comes into action. It envisages a system of measures that are all directed toward restoring peace, tranquillity, and stability to the Chechen Republic. The program will be implemented through the joint efforts of the federal and republican bodies of power with support and help from all the component parts of the federation and tre whole population. First of all, in accordance with the program, as of midnight on 31 March 1996, military operations in the territory of Chechnya will be stopped. Let me stress that the actions of the troops allowed to develop the necessary prerequisites for a radical turning point in the situation. A stage-by-stage withdrawal of the federal forces from the quiet regions in Chechnya to its administrative borders is starting. The scheme for the redeployment of the troops is ready. At the same time the Chechen leadership will work to widen the zones of accord, safety, and peace in the Chechen Republic. Today they comprise almost two thirds of its territory. It goes without saying that we will not stand for terrorist acts. There will be adequate responses to them. The safety of Russia's citizens must be ensured rigor- ously. But these actions cannot and will not be a substi- tute for the political solutions that are envisaged in the program for a settlement to the crisis. Therefore, the second task is to prepare for and to hold throughout the whole territory of Chechnya free democratic elections CHECHEN AFFAIRS to the parliament of the republic in which the interests of the whole population of Chechnya must be repre- sented. The convocation in Chechnya in the very near future of a political peace forum of representatives of the people of the Chechen Republic from all its dis- tricts, towns, and major villages will be an important Stage in the preparation of these elections. Representa- tives of the federal and republican power bodies shouid iake part in the work of this assembly. The election of parliament will be an important step in the re-creation of state power bodies in the Chechen Republic. Much has already been done im this respect. As the system of power grows stronger in Chechnya, the responsibility and powers for a Siiai settlement to the situation de- volve from the Russian Government to the head, gov- ernment, and parliament of the Chechen Republic. This process should be sealed by a treaty on the demarcation of jurisdiction and authority between the power bodies of the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic. In the coming months, we should set about resolving the third issue, which has been and still remains the main stumbling-block — the special nature of the status of the Chechen Republic. The issue should be the subject of a businesslike and constructive dialogue between federal authorities and plenipotentiary representatives of the people of the Chechen Republic, especially since the Russian Constitution stipulates that status may be changed by mutual agreement between Russia and the members of the federation themselves. The normalizing of the situation in the republic and the establishment of peace, tranquillity, and stability there — these are, I believe, the principal conditions under which the process of negotiating on the status of Chechnya may begin. For the sake of that, we are prepared to enter negotiations with Dudayev's side through intermediaries. Interaction between all branches of federal power is an important condition for settlement of the Chechen crisis. To this effect, the Russian Government has been instructed to form, jointly with the chambers of the Federal Assembly, a state commission for control over the the situation in the Chechen Republic. The commission is to be chaired by Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin. It has been proposed that the State Duma considers, as a step of achieving peace in Chechnya fast, an amnesty tor participants in the armed actions in the republic, with the exception of those who have committed grave crimes This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners CHECHEN AFFAIRS The program envisages a radical change in the practice of allocation of financial and material resources sent to the Chechen Republic. At present these funds often do not reach those who need them most. The government has been strictly instructed to investi- gate the abuses and to ensure that (he assistance reaches without fail those in the Chechen Republic for whom it is intended. This assistance will be granted only to those districts and localities in which the situation has already been stabilized. The program contains specific steps aimed at stopping the armed confrontation and at moving away from the conflict toware the peaceful dialogue on the status of Chechnya. A lot of work must be done to implement it; however, I delieve that it will be successful mainly because the Chechen people and all peoples of Russia need peace, tranquillity, and security. We and the military have a firm intention to resolve this issue by peaceful means. Russia: Yeltsin Answers Questions on Chechnya LD3103161896 Moscow NTV in Russian 1430 GMT 31 Mar 96 {Interview with Russian President Boris Yeltsin by Arina Sharapova, Yevgeniy Kiselev, and Nikolay Svanidze in Moscow — recorded] (FBIS Translated Text} [Svanidze} Thank you, Boris Nikolayevich. A lot has happened in Chechnya over the year, mainly tragic events. Their source and their causes have now been mainly forgotten or lost in time. Do you think now that this tragedy could really be averted? {Yeltsin} No, someday it would have flared up all the same, perhaps resulting in even more acute and tragic situations and consequences than now. This is because the tragedy began with the disintegration of the Soviet Union, when the union disintegrated and the union republics began to drift away or were already leaving. Then, a similar process was beginning in our own Russian Federation. However, our course was to persuade all to sign a federation treaty to bring together all 24 Russian republics, and with this treaty to restrain them from separatists ambitions. Unfortunately, during that time Dudayev began his activities in the Chechen Republic, setting up a real army, larger than armics in some states. He staged unlawful elections there and dismissed the parliament. Then they started arming themselves even more. While everything in Russia calmed down after the signing of the federation treaty and there were virtually no FBIS-SOV-96-043 1 April 1996 conflicts of any kind, in Chechnya he went much further. He decided to create an all-Caucasian republic, which would embrace the whole of Transcaucasia. Do you understand? Not only the republics — members of the Russian federation — but also Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. This is because he accumulated weapons, partly due to our mistake — when our Army was leaving Chechnya it left its weapons and a lot of expensive equipment behind — and partly he bought weapons from foreigners, including mercenaries. I shall not name from which countries he got his mercenaries, equipment, money, and everything else he needs, but we all know them perfectly well. He described it in his book, published in 1994. We did manage to get hold of a copy. So, a danger appeared here for us — what way can be found to extricate ourselves from a situation in which he began to terrorize his own people? Industry ground to a halt, oil extraction ground to a heit, pensions failed to be paid for three years, wages are not being paid, and so on and so forth. That is to say that it is simply that we were dealing here with a region of a criminal concentration, as it were. This criminal path resulted in an impasse where the people of Chechnya were concerned. However, it was something that was advantageous for the powerful structures of organized crime, structures which, in essence, turned the region into a criminal zone for the whole of Russia. It was here that money was laundered, money that came from the whole of Russia, it was here that routes for the transportation of drugs and weapons were planned, too. A whole number of influential circles beyond Russia's borders found this situation advantageous. Rich oil and gas resources of the Caspian region, transportation facilities and pipelines have always had a certain lure for them. Those who are unhappy with the economic development of the North Caucasus within the Russian Federation are dreaming of eliminating Russia, their powerful competitor, and of creating long-term hotbeds of tension. To make a long story short, we would have had to go to war with him at that time and oust him anyway because his plans were far too ambitious. That is why we had to take this decision. Incidentaily, I must say, we had made three attempts to persuade him to take part in peacetul political talks, and we failed all three times, as he refused to negotiate. Now he agrees, we hear from the intermediaries with whom he talks. Maybe we'll start me gotiating with him through intermediaries. | do not reject this option, for the sake of stopping the war and the bloodshed. This is the priority for Chechnya now tS feport may contain copynghted maternal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Armed conflicts always have a severe effect on their participants. Neighbors who have lived peacefully for decadss become embittered and start 2 fratricidal war. Servicemen and civilians captured by ihe gunmen are subjected to violence and humiliation. This is recipro- cated by a wave of cruelty and revenge. Even children are drawn into hostilities. | know that the army experi- ences quite a few difficulties in its everyday existence. I have read the report submitted by Yuriy Ilyich Sku- ratov, chief prosecutor, on this issue. Even the defense minister's trips to Chechnya have failed to solve these problems. We will take additional measures, of course, to ensure that our armed forces have net too bad con- ditions over there, at least better conditions. I am going to visit our military units stationed over there at an un- specified time. [Sharapova] The hostilities in Chechnya have literally brought a barrage of criticism of the authorities. The authorities, the president, and the government are being accused of cruelty, deliberate cruelty at that. A lot of things are being said, even that the war is a form of settling of accounts. In this situation, when the meaning of the war is being literally eroded, where are the officers and soldiers finding their ideological inspiration, what are they defending, what are they fighting for? {Yeltsin} Naturally, I talked with our soldiers, officers, generals, ministers on more than one occasion and I, too, am sometimes surprised by this. Despite such hard conditions, despite the failure to pay wages or delays in the payment of wages, they go there, aware that they may die. This is naturally amazing. Such is our nature, the nature of the people of Russia, that once we have stated that Russia’s integrity must be preserved, it must be preserved without fail. This, it seems to me, is the most important thing that can be said in reply to your question. I hope that our TV viewers understand that it is one of the aims of the extremists to provoke the authorities to take such measures. This is their way of gaining support from a certain part of society. As a result, conditions are created for new terrorist actions. Separatists make no secret of the fact that they are ready to support redistribution of power and property in Russia and the CIS countries by any means, including violence. It is no coincidence that Dudayev hopes that commu- nists will come to power. If the Russian statehood is weakened, the terrorists will set about splitting Russia apart without taking account of the people's will, or the constitution, or the laws. Just look at the slogans cur- rently advanced by some leaders of the Chechen sep- aratists. This represents a danger of a third world war breaking out, it is a danger to Europe, a danger that CHECHEN AFFAIRS chemical and bacteriological weapons and radioactive substances will be used. Now that the 20th century is drawing to a close, many countries have come up against this kind of terrorism. It is indeed so. At a recent meeting in Egypt, which | attended, the leaders of major world powers agreed io pool their efforts to root out terrorists and their bases. Great Britain has been combating separatists in Northern Ireland, who are using terrorist methods, throughout the 20th century. You will remember that in the 1970's terrorism shook Spain. It is one of the hardest problems facing Israel, India, and other countries. The worst thing about terrorism is that it chooses the defenseless and the weak as its victims. Suddenness. treachery, cruelty — all these have already been demon- strated in Budennovsk, in Kizlyar, in a series of terrorist attempts and hostage seizures in Groznyy. As elsewhere in the world, cases of this kind occur not infrequently. The fight against terrorism must be conducted most relentlessly — we agreed on this in Egypt — and by all countries jointly. This is the only way. Otherwise you have bandits perpetrating terrorist acts against one country and being paid for it and supplied with weapons by another, or using the money given to them to buy hardware and weapons. This is what happened in our case with regard to Chechnya. (Kiselev] Boris Nikolayevich, | would like to return from terrorism to the situation that we are faced with in Chechnya. You yourself mentioned Israel just now. You mentioned the battle the British Government has been waging with Northern Ireland terrorism practically over the entire span of the 20th century. Look, if we continue the analogy, the same Israel regarded the Palestine Liberation Organization for almost 30 years as a terrorist body and “Arafat was regarded as a leader of terrorists, and it came to the conclusion that it should hold talks with “Arafat. In the same way, the British concluded that they should hold talks with the IRA. Today you have actually made a sensational statement that you are ready to hold talks even with Dudayev's side through mediators. Does this mean that we are moving along the same road that the above countries have already travelled? That we, though saying a very decisive no to terrorism, at the same time understand that there are no alternatives to talks, no alternatives to political methods of settling the crisis. {Yeltsin} Yes, | agree with the implication of your question. I do believe the situation ts similar. It does not, of course, mean that we are surrendering to Dudayev After all, stability prevails at present in two-third of Chechnya’s districts, where there are no armed groups, no Dudayev bands. is report may contain copynghted maternal Copying and diweminaton ts prohibited without permisson of the copynght owners a CHECHEN AFFAIRS At the same time, we ‘Jo realize that he has gained momentum, and also the respect of a certain part of the population. No doubt, this respect is, let us say, somewhat tainted, and | daresay, with criminal overtones. But he does have this respect, he does have followers. This is why I said today — even though not everyone, not even among my aides and ‘n my team, agreed that it had to be said. and yet I said it — that we would probably have to enter, through mediators, into negotiations with Dudayev. {Kiselev} If this is not a secret, Boris Nikolayevich, could you say who those mediators might be? Are there really any people who are prepared to take this mission upon themselves? {Yeltsin} Yes, they exist, both individuals and whole organizations — both foreign and our own. We were speaking about Orlov. He wrote to me a personal ivtter — he is a former dissident. He said that he wants to go there. Then there is Nazarbayev — he wants to go there and negotiate. One of the Arab shaykhs also wrote to me saying that he was prepared to be a mediator in talks with Dudayev. So, these mediators are pretty serious. [{Kiselev}] But is Dudayev ready to negotiate? {Yeltsin} Dudayev is seady on certain conditions — he has voiced these conditions — and he has said so out loud. There is a radio station that he uses to get through, which cannot be closed down. At least, I do not think they are closing it down. He has voiced these conditions and they are very, very tough ones. The main condition that we cannot meet and cannot agree to is that of an independent Chechnya outside Russia. This is a violation of Russia's integrity and a violation of the Constitution. We cannot agree to this. However, perhaps talks can lead to a softer option. There could be a level of independence of the Chechen Republic that is very close to the independence of. for example, Tatarstan. This differs from other republics in its independence. But nevertheless, no matter how much they threatened, we came to agreement with them, and now affairs, joint affairs, are going very well. The same thing applies here. Perhaps he starts by putting forward maximum demands in order to find a compromise later. I think this must not be rejected. {Svanidze} Boris Nikolayevich, are you sure that Du- dayev himself will agree to he!d talks? As you repeated today. it is well known that he ts today hacking your rivals and is delaying in the expectation that the result of the June elections might be tavorabic for him. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 {Yeltsin} Yes, he, of course, has not concealed the fact that he would not wish to deal vith Yeltsin at all. If another regime comes ip, then he would talk. We understand that negotiations can bring success only if they are conducted with those who are genuinely capable of influencing the situation. That is why we are agreeing on this. The prerequisites needed to ensure a radical break- through in the situation have been formed in the Chechen Republic today. However, this is only the ini- tial stage of solving the main political task of reviv- ing peace and accord. Legitimate republican authorities, rather that federal, should bear responsibility for the sit- uation in the republic; they should be able to ensure legality and order throughout the republic. It is imper- missible that the organization of parliamentary elections in Chechnya be controlled by a single political force, be it a federal or local Dudayevite force. This is imper- missible. There must be piuralism. Elections over there should be held along the same lines that we have in Russia. {Kiselev] In other words, the Dudayevites will encounter no obstacles if they decide to take part in preparations for the elections? [Yeltsin] I said that this was possible, after all. We will now start with the measures that have been drawn up, and we will see how things go. If we announce that we will hold talks with them, even if through mediators, naturally we will place no obstacles to keep delegations or Dudayev himself from attending. {Sharapova} Boris Nikolayevich, in your truly sensa- tional statement you announced the halting of military operations. As president, you can decide, with regard to the federal troops, that military operations will be halted, as it were. However, if the rebel formations con- tinue their provocations, as it were, just at a time when the federal troops are being withdrawn in the direction of the borders, how will the troops react? {Yeltsin} Well, in the first place we have an agreement with the commanders on a mutual cease-fire. However, they violated it. We are now pinning our hopes on the seriousness of this statement and the participation of the president in this whole situation, so to put it, and on the convocation in Chechnya of a peaceful political forum of representatives of the entire Chechen people with the participation of the federal authorities in the nearest future. I think that it will generally exert a very strong influence on the whole Chechen situation, as it were, in the whole of the republic, since it will obviously be taking place somewhere out in the open. enabling several thousand ne reper may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dixseminatwn ts prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 people to attend and if they come out in favor of peace, reconciliation, the laying down of arms, the withdrawal of troops, well, we understand. [as heard] Naturally, the main issue there will concern the status of the Chechen republic. Here, too, I think that certain interests will come up against one another and we will need to seek a maximal choice of some kind, as it were and, so to put it, a maximally real way out of this situation concerning the definition of the siatus. Work is now in progress to prepare a treaty on delim- itation cf powers between the Chechen Republic and Russia. I believe that in this delimitation we shall try and give the Chechen Republic as many powers as pos- sible — as many as possible — more than to any othe: republic in Russia. We are not afraid of this. The more independence at the lower levels — as long as it is peaceful — the easier it is for the upper echelons to operate. {Sharapova} Do you not fear that other regions of our country would also want the same degree of independence? {Yeltsin} No. This stage is over now. I no longer fear this. I have confidence in every republic, I have confidence in every president. | have meetings with them, with all the presidents, either once a month or once every two months. We spend a long time discussing various problems, including ethnic ones. One has to say, of cour*e, that we have made some mistakes regarding ethnic matters. We have made a number of serious mistakes on this. The program I have just outlined is a peace program. I have, of course, only outlined its main points, without going into details. Immense work is to be done by the federal and, mostly, the republican authorities. We all need goodwill to implement this program. What then are the main actions aimed at settling the Chechen crisis? First, cessation of hostilities — I reiterate. Second, creation of necessary conditions for a Chechen parliament to be formed. Our efforts must prevent further deaths. The program that has been put forward meets the interests of the Chechen people and the Russian state as a whole. I would like to end here. Thank you for your off-the- cuff and unusual questions. Russia: ‘Text’ of Yeltsin Decree on Chechen Crisis LD0104110796 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian O805S GMT 1 Apr 96 (FBIS Translated Text} Moscow, | Apr (ITAR-TASS) — The presidential press service circulated today a text CHECHEN AFFAIRS 5 of Boris Yeltsin's decree relating to the settlement ot the Chechen crisis. The decree says: The restoration c’ the constitutional order in the Chechen Republic is entering its final stage. The head of republic and deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation's Federal Assembly have been elected, the 2overnment and the Supreme Court of the Chechen Republic and the system of bodies of executive power have been formed. Operations to disarm and eliminate large bandit formations and the main hotbeds of terrorism have been completed. With the view to concentrating the efforts of state power bodies of the federal governzient and of the Chechen Republic; means and resources, which are being used in completing the tasks of the final stage of settling the Chechen crisis and in compliance with Article 80 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, | decree: 1. To establish that in accordance with the Program for settling the crisis in the Chechen Republic, which has been approved by Security Council of the Russian Federation and sanctioned by the president of the Rus- sian Federation, the main components for implementa- tion are: Stopping military operations in the territory of the Chechen Republic as of 2400 hours on 31 March 1996; A stage-by-stage withdrawal of the federal forces that are in the Chechen Republic to its administrative border in accordance with the scheme for the redeployment of the troops; Widening the zones of accord, safety, and peace, conducting talks on disarmament, and signing a protocol on peace and accord by the representatives of the government of the Chechen Republic, the command of the Temporary Joint Forces of the Russian Federation and the administrative regions and populated localities of the Chechen Republic; Convening and holding a peaceful political forum of representatives of the peoples of the Chechen Republic with the parucipation of representatives of the federal and republican bodies of state power; Preparing and holding free democratic elections to the legislative (representative) body of state power of the Chechen Republic; Holding talks on the special features of the status of the Chechen Republic between the plenipotentiary representatives of federal bodies of state power and of the Chechen Republic; Developing and signing a treaty on the demarcation be- tween the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic ot powers and subjects under their jurisdiction This report may contain copyrighted material Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 6 CHECHEN AFFAIRS 2. To recommend that the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation urgently adopt a decision on an amnesty for all participants in armed ac- tions in the Chechen Republic who have not committed serious crimes. 3. To set up a state commission of the Russian Fed- eration on settling the crisis in the Chechen Republic (hence referred to as the Commission) in order to co- ordinate the efforts of the federal Fodies of state power toward normalizing the situation in the Chechen Re- public and monitor implementation of the program for settling the crisis in the Chechen Repvblic. To appoint V. S. Chernomyrdin, chairman of the gov- ernment of the Russian Federation, as chairman of the Ccmmission. To propose that representatives of the chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation form part of the Commissien. That the chairisan of the Commission present the members of the Commission for approval within a three- day period. 4. That the Government of the Russian Federation: a. draw up draft laws (including on introducing amend- ments and additions to existing legislation) and submit them as they become ready in the form of legislative initiatives within the period April-June 1996 on issues of social protection for those affected as a result of the suppression of illegal armed formations in the Chechen ‘.-public; on the conditions and procedure for chang- ing the status of a constituent part of the Federation; on combatting terrorism; on the state of emergency; on liability for encroaching on the unity and territorial in- tegrity of the state; on other issues necessary for a fuller and more definite legislative basis for settling crises; b. draw up and submit within 10 days a draft decree by the president of the Russian Federation on a procedure for allocating the financial resources sent to the Chechen Republic, and on forms of monitoring that will preclude misuse and theft as these resources are used. 5. That the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Feder- ation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Federal Border Service of the Russian Federation, and the Federal Security Service of the Rus- sian Federation present a plan of action to prevent and halt terrorist acts and acts of sabotage in the conclud- ing state of the settlement of the crisis in the Chechen Republic within five days in conjuntion with the Gov- ernment of the Chechen Republic. 6. To deem invalid points | and 2 of the decree by the president of the Russian Federation of 16 FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 February 1995: “On Additional Measures To Restore the Economy and Social Sphere of the Chechen Republic” (Coilection of Legislation of the Russian Federation, 1995, Chapter 8, p.656). 7. The present decree comes into force on signing. Russia: Yeltsin: No Simple, Quick Solutions to Chechnya Issue MM2903195596 Moscow KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA in Russian 30 Mar 96 pp 1,2 {Boris Yeltsin letter to readers: “Every Line in the Lists of Dead and Wounded Is Unremitting Agony for Me.” Boris Yeltsin Replies to KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA Readers Who Sent 15,050 Letters Demanding a: End to the War in Chechnya"] {FBIS Translated Text} Esteemed readers of KOMSO- MOLSKAYA PRAVDA' Your calls for the Chechen conflict to be extinguished as soon as possible, for an end to the bloodshed, for pear ; and calm to be restored to Russia constitute only part of the vast number of letters I receive daily, in which Russians make suggestion for the resolution ot the Chechen crisis. This terrible confrontation has lasted for more than a year now. The worst thing, the thing it is impossible te accept is the loss of human life. I feel the losses deeply, I grieve for them, and my feelings are with the parents, with all Russians who have lost near ones and dear ones in Chechnya. Every line in the lists of dead and wounded is unremitting agony for me, believe me. Could the Chechnya tragedy have been avoided? To answer that question you have to appreciate what kind of regime the Dudayev regime is and what kind of danger it poses to Russia's unseasoned statehood. All over the world eradicating terrorism, particularly when it stems from nationalism and separatism, is a long and difficult process. Britain has been combating the separatists of Northern Ireland practically through- out the 20th century. Spain was shaken by Basque sep- aratists’ terrorist acts for more than 10 years. The events in Budennovsk and Kizlyar and the series of terrorist acts in Groznyy confirmed the scale of the terrorism that had taken root in Chechnya. Now there are threats against Europe and, indeed, the whole world emanating from there — they are even threatening to use weapons of mass destruction. In this situation, de- mands for ihe immediate and complete withdrawal of forces from the Chechen Republic (and human rights or- ganizations and soldiers’ mothers have been especially persistent in presenting me with these demands) are not is report may contain copynghted maternal, Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 the path to peace, but, rather, the direct route to the spreading of the war all over the Caucasus. The force of state coercion in Chechnya is being used against the bandits who possess enormous supplies of weapons. We have never aimed at “winning the war.” Our sole aim is to secure the reestablishment of peace, constitutional order, and the rule of law in Chechnya. We are willing to have a dialogue on the particular features of the Chechen Republic's status. Work is almost finished on the preparation of a Treaty on the Delimitation of Powers between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic. By means of talks with representatives of local admin- istrations, elders, and the clergy, and field commanders we must create conditions for the stable existence of “islands of calm" in the area where the federal forces and illegal armed formations come into contact and send federal money to these peaceful settlements to pay pen- sions and other social benefits. Holding republic parliamentary elections is one of the tasks of the return to a peaceful life. The correspondence I get contains many constructive ideas and proposals. Two groups of experts have been summarizing them. A plan for a way out of the crisis prepared on the basis of their conclusions has been adopted by the Security Council and I will be talking about it on 31 March. I am sure this plan will bear fruit in the next few months. Thank you all for the letters and suggestions — they have also helped in the formulation of the plan; and | want you to understand that there are no simple and quick solutions to the Chechen problem. Russia: Zyuganov Views Yeltsin’s Peace Plan for Chechnya LD3103203796 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 2024 GMT 31 Mar 96 {By Lyudmila Aleksandrova} {(FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, March 31 (Itar- Tass) — The Communist Party of the Russian Feder- ation will support moves to settle the Chechnya crisis whoever offers them, party leader Gennadiy Zyuganov said in an interview with Itar-Tass today. However, the peace plan laid out by President Boris Yeltsin today should have been adopted much earlier, he said. “All this has been in fact many times told by advocates of the peace settlement. but regrettably none of the decisions have been made timely.” he said CHECHEN AFFAIRS He conceded that communists welcomed the fact that “dialogue is being moved into the political plane, although the same could have been done much earlier”. The State Duma had passed five resolutions on political dialogue with Chechnya, all endorsed by the commu- nist factions, but the resolutions have led to nothing, Zyuganov complained. As for Yeltsin's readiness to negotiate with separatist leader Dzhokhar Dudayev through mediators, Zyuganov said: “We in principle endorse the negotiations with participation of all conflicting parties.” Zyuganov, the key challenger of Yeltsin in the upcom- ing presidential election, denied that Yeltsin “outper- formed” him at this phase of the race. “One is not playing games in the country which is falling apart, the economic stabilisation is not in sight, and the month's campaign to repay wages has been an absolute crash, Zyuganov said. He invited Yeltsin as a presidential candidate to meet with him in a live television debate on Russia's situation and on who is and who is not as good as his pre-election promises. Zyuganov flatly dismissed media reports which quoted him as saying that Western-style social democracy is no good for Russia. “IT have not given any interview to INTERFAX on this subject,” he said, adding that forms of social democracy have significant differences even in Europe. He elaborated that account should be given to specific features of any country, of Russia especially. Zyuganov claimed that Itogi program of the NTV tele- vision channel had deliberately “circulated this false- hood”. “After the head of NTV has been included in the headquarters of the presidential (pre-election) campaign, this channel has been increasingly turning from an independent television Company to a president-serving one,” Zyuganov said. Russia: Zyuganov Proposes Trilateral Commission To Solve Chechen Confict LD2903175296 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1620 GMT 29 Mar 96 {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, March 29 (Inter- tax) — Communist Party of Russia Chairman Gennadiy Zyuganov has proposed that a trilateral commission be created to work out ways to settle the conflict in Chech- nva This report may contain copyrighted maternal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners CHECHEN AFFAIRS This commission should include representatives of the Russian president. government and two chambers of parliament, Zyuganov said at a news conference in Moscow Friday. A deputy prime minister could lead the future commission, he said. “Popular diplomacy” should also be used in the Chechen peace process, Zyuganov said. adding that decisions by the Congress of North Caucasian Peoples could “enrich” the commission's performance. The settlement in Chechnya should provide for the declaration of a moratorium on combat actions for between 25 and 30 days to enable separatist militants to turn over their weapons, he said. Those who will relinquish their arms voluntarily should enjoy a “full amnesty,” Zyuganov said. Zyuganov said he regretted that Russian President Boris Yeltsin had not so far unveiled “a single one of the seven options for resolving the Chechen problem that he has.” Russia: Dudayev Offers To Conduct Peace Talks With Zyugerov MK3003111796 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY in Russian 30 Mar 96 p!/ {Article by Maksim Sokolov: “Head of Terrorists Wishes To Negotiate Agreement With President Zyuganov"} (FBIS Translated Text} The CPRF [Communist Party of the Russian Federation) has earned an extremely flatter- ing testimonial from General Dudayev, who evinced a readiness “to conduct talks with the Communist Party.” What we are witnessing is yet another cycle of the cam- paign — when Russian troops begin to hit and it really hurts, it's time to play the Moscow card. Apt in the art of transformation, Dudayev this time around appeared before Western journalists in the image of a reddish political scientist, so readily understood by them, to explain that “today’s Communists are not the Communists to be feared in Russia.” Zyuganov received from Dudayev a dubious gift. On the one hand, the thesis of the miraculous transfiguration of the Communists has palled from frequent use, but used by a bandit for whom brazen lies are an intrinsic imeans of communication, the voodoo has a farcical ring to it. On the other hand, Dudayev hands Zyuganov the enticing laurels of peacemaker: Ichkeria, he means to Say. is ready to sign any peace accord with the CPRF, which will aptly make Zyuganov's party the party of peace before the elections. The executive branch, behind whose back an agreement affecting the whole state 1s being concluded. would not of course agree to the usurpation of its constitutional powers and would FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 declare the “Zyuganov-Dudayev” pact as having no legal power, the campaign would resume, and Yeltsin would end up the chief fanner of the war. The gamble is perilous, of course. Aside from showing Yeltsin in an unfavorable light, granting Dudayev the right to decide who should conduct talks with him on behalf of Russia and a readiness to accept Dudayev's interpretation of the Russian Constitution could greatly compromise the Russian pouitician if he goes for Du- dayev's bait. He [Zyuganov] could greatly reduce his chances if he is ready to brush aside the most important State acts to please a Chechen bandit for the sake of [getting to} the Kremlin throne. Nevertheless, the Chechen side has some grounds for counting on the success of the gambit. Yeltsin will unveil a plan of Chechen pacification, and his rivals have to make a mark somehow not to give up the initiative to the Russian Federation president. In order to tarnish Yeltsin's announcement, Yavlinskiy has already announced a week of antiwar actions, which started on 30 March, a day before [the announcement]. Dudayev suggests to Zyuganov an even more spectacular method to outshine Yeltsin -— to announce the start of CPRF talks with Chechnya with no prior conditions. If this causes yet another political muddle in Moscow, the successful assault of the Russian troops could once again be halted, and the gangs would be given a pause to rest and reform. A time-out is vital for a cornered Dudayev, but he is not going to have it unless Zyuganov and Yavlinskiy play up to him. Russia: Federal Troops Stop ‘All Operations’ in Chechnya LDO1040518% Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0432 GMT I Apr 96 [By Boris Kipkeyev] {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW April | (Itar-Tass) — Federal troops discontinued all operations on the territory of Chechnya at midnight, Lieutenant-General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, Commander of Federal forces in the Chechen Republic, told Itar-Tass on Monday morning in an exclusive interview. “The military support President Boris Yeltsin's peace initiatives and intend to translate into life rigorously all plans of the Head of State to end the armed confrontation in the republic and direct the conflict into the channel of a peaceful dialogue,” Tikhomuirov stated The Commander said a scheme for the redeployment of troops and their withdrawal from calm areas of Chechnya has been prepared. It will be implemented as the operational situation develops Teport may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permisson of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 At the same time, the Commander did not rule out the possibility of provocations on the part of “extremist- minded forces”. According to his data, over the past night militants fired on the positions of Federal forces 11 times, including 4 times in Groznyy'’s Lenin District. This is why, Tikhomirov said, “it remains an important task for Federal troops to ensure the safety of Russian citizens and to put a stop to terrorist acts and sabotage”. Russia: Federal Commander Reacts to Deadline To Halt Comhat LD3103154496 Moscow NTV in Russian 1500 GMT 31 Mar 96 . Video report by Mikhail Osokin; from the “Segodnya” program] (FBIS Translated Text} So, in four hours and 50 min- utes’ time, troop operations should end in Chechnya. All day today federal units were trying to take settlements in the area of Vedeno, where [Dzhokhar] Dudayev's main base is located. A report from our special correspondent in Chechnya: (Unidentified correspondent} Stubborn fighting is con- tinuing between Dudayev’s formations and the federal troops in the south-east of the republic. To judge from the militants’ fierce resistance, the Russian Federation troops really have got to the Dudayev forces’ main base. In Vedenskiy [Vedeno} District of Chechnya, for instance, federal troop subunits have been ambushed and are doggedly fighting against detachments of the Basayev brothers (Shamil and Shirvani Basayev}, which occupy the dominating heights. For the fourth day running, missile and bomb strikes are being inflicted on the settlement of Goyskoye. The command thinks one of the main bases of the Dudayev formations is located here. Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, commander of the federal forces grouping in Chechnya, declared that it is unlikely to be possible to stop combat actions immediately after the president's statement. {begin Tikhomirov recording] Everyone somehow thinks that 31 March will be a watershed, when every- one will stop and peace and accord will begin. You understand, that is impossible! [end recording) [Correspondent] To judge by all accounts, the military command has not managed to carry out fully the president's order to destroy the fighters. CHECHEN AFFAIRS Russia: Military Apologizes for Accidentally Bombing Chechen Village LD2903180096 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1718 GMT 29 Mar 96 [By Mikhail Shevtsov] {FBIS Transcribed Text} GROZNYY, March 29 (Itar- Tass) — The command of federal troops in Chechnya apologised on Friday for Thursday's accidental bombing of a local village which killed several servicemen and civilians. A Russian plane accidentally dropped a bomb on positions of federal troops in the Chechen village of Katyr-Yurt on March 28, a spokesman for the Russian troops in Chechnya told Itar-Tass. According to the spokesman, the bombing was an acci- dent and the command of the federal troops apologised for it and expressed its condolences to the families of those killed. The spokesman also said that federal forces were ordered on Thursday to deliver air strikes on rebels’ positions near the village of Orekhovo located not far from Katyr-Yurt. The funeral of nine villagers who were killed in the accident was held in Katyr-Yurt on Friday. The bomb made a crater more than three metres (yards) across, turning a house into a heap of debris. The explosion blew out glass in the windows of houses at a distance of 300-400 metres. Head of the village administration Ala Bashayev told Itar-Tass that the two first planes bombs outside the nearby villages of Orekhovo and Stary Achkhoy from which federal troops have been trying to oust Chechen rebels for several days running. Unexpectedly, a third one dropped a bomb on the centre of Katyr-Yurt, he said. Chechen vice-prime minister Vakha Sagayev, who vis- ited the village on Friday, said that he put his signature to a peace agreement with its residents. Rebels were driven out of the village, weapons were turned in. The bombing undermines the authority of the government which is unable to exercise control over its military, he said. Not a single meeting was staged in Katyr-Yurt today. The villagers were traumatised. Investigators from the Chechen Prosecutor's Office and the Russian military Prosecutor's Office have arrived in Katyr-Yurt. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and Uissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 10 CHECHEN AFFAIRS Russia: Basayev Said No Longer Taking Orders From Dudayev LD3103173796 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1712 GMT 31 Mar 96 [By Mikhail Shevtsov} {[FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, March 31 (Itar- Tass) — The military command in Chechnya today met delegations of villages of Chechnya’s recalcitrant Vedeno and Nozhay-Yurt districts. The meeting was held in Tolstoy-Yurt. The in-between was Ruslan Labazanov, the leader of the Chechen Niiskho (“Justice”) party. Rebel resistance to federal troops remains most stubborn in the two districts. Major-General Aleksandr Kuznetsov, the deputy chief of the headquarters of federal troops in Chechnya, told the Chechen delegations that the federal force is not motivated to strike viliages. However, troops are enforced to strike back when and if rebels entrenched in the villages open fire. Kuznetsov said he wished the delegations persuaded the Chechen population, primarily guerrillas, that resistance to federal troops makes no sense. "No one will bombard and shell the residential areas which sign peace accords,” Kuznetsov said. It was agreed that the federal command and delegates of the Vedeno and Nozhay-Yurt districts would have another meeting soon to strike final peace deals. Kuznetsov praised Labazanov’s mediatory role in peace-making efforts. Labazanov told Itar-Tass that he might arrange soon a personal contact between Shamil Basayev, a rebel FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 commander who grabbed headlines in the Budennovsk hostage-taking raid which he led, and representatives of the federal command. Labazanov claimed that Basayev is no longer taking Dudayev’'s orders. Russia: Special Operations Against ‘Terrorists’ To Continue LDO0104103296 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0930 GMT I Apr 96 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Mikhail Shevtsov] {[FBIS Translated Text] Groznyy, 1 Apr (Itar-Tass) — Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, commander of the joint group of federal forces in Chechnya, today confirmed at an expanded sitting of the Chechen government that all military operations in the republic's territory had been halted from 0000 hours on Monday. He noted at the same time that this does not mean the federal troops have abandoned special operations against bandit formations and terrorists. The commander stressed that “talks with Dudayev’s supporters through mediators can only be about them surrendering weapons and not about any concessions”. Tikhomirov said that at present more than two-thirds of Chechnya’s inhabited settlements are included in the zone of peace and accord. Only in the case of the the part of the republic where no more than 10 percent of the population lives have no peace agreements been signed. The commander of the joint group of federal forces noted at the same time that the peace process is coming up against serious difficulties in Vedeno District and also in the south of Achkhoy-Martan and Urus-Martan districts. According to Tikhomirov’s information, military operations against the federal troops in Nozhay-Yurt District are being waged mainly by mercenaries. 1% Teport may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 CIS: Yeltsin Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony LD2903152896 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1200 GMT 29 Mar 96 [Speech by Russian President Boris Yeltsin at St. George's Hall in th’ “remlin at the signing of a treaty of integration by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — live] {[FBIS Translated Text] Esteemed Heads of State of the Commonwealth, esteemed members of the delegations: | have no doubt that this day will go down in the history of our countries. The Republic of Belarus, ithe Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian Federation are signing a treaty on deepening integration in the economic and humanitarian spheres. We did not achieve this immediately. Our countries needed a special period of self-assertuon. The treaty was preceded by huge preparatory work. The conclusion of the treaty follows a long and complex search for a balance of interests, because there could not be any encroachment on anyone's position. This work has been crowned with success. A new form has been found for the integration of sovereign and independent states. All the parties to the treaty can be sure that the commonwealth created by us is more lasting and promising than the empires of the past, which, in Bismarck’s words, were created with blood and iron. When we recently marked the anniversary of the March referendum on the future of the Union, we could not but recall the words of one of our colleagues: Those, who do not regret the disintegration of the USSR, have no heart; those, who dream of restoring an exact copy of it have no brains. As responsible politicians — and unlike those dema- gogues sowing discord among the peoples and trying to destroy the legal basis of the CIS — we understand clearly one simple thing: one cannot replace the con- structive work of building a commonwealth of states, which is capable of living up to the challenge of the 21st century, by nostalgia for the USSR. In this sense, the present treaty is truly a watershed. It deals not just with the expansion of the Customs Union created in 1996. In fact, we are arriving at agreements on freedom of travel for people, goods, services, and capital, and on creating in future a closer union of independent states, whose shape will be suggested to us by life itself. Over this five-year period, we have managed to arrive at decisions on integration which it took the countries of the European Union decades to achieve. This 1s not surprising. since thanks to previous treaties we managed INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS 11 to preserve the most valuable things that remained from the past period — the traditions of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance, and a need of one another. The economic and cultural and simply human links, contacts, and mutual understanding between our peoples have deep historical roots. They were tempered during the testing times of the Great Patriotic War against fascism [World War II]. This is why we must and are obliged to restore and redouble these links. It is not a matter of restoring the previous system, which was maintained by a cult of force, gross centralization of power, political monopoly, and dictatorship. Our prin- ciples are different. First, there is integration on the ba- sis of preserving the independence and sovereignty of states. Second, there is the free will and equal rights of States that are enshrined in the articles of treaty and in the structure of the steering, executive, and interparlia- mentary bodies. Third, there is mutual assistance in the development of democratic and economic reforms in our countries and the harmonization and drawing together of states’ legislation. Fourth, there is the development of integration and joint production in the economy relying on the creation of joint financial and industrial groups and the creation of an effective payment and settlement system — an inter-bank union — with the prospect of the introduction of a single currency. Here, of course, it is important to observe the principle Make haste slowly. Only sober economic calculation, reliance primarily on one’s own potential, and a refusal to allow dependence in the economic sphere can provide a dependable basis for economic integration and prevent it being discredited in the eyes of our peoples. At the same time, we need to remove as speedily as possible any kind of obstacle preventing the free movement of people and the opportunity for them to obtain education in neighboring states. It is necessary to strengthen human communication, friendship between peoples, and cultural and informa- tion links, because the integration of CIS countries serves first of all the interests of the people. It is through their hearts and their families that numerous cohorts of bureaucrats in the republics have pulled sown the barbed wire. As state leaders elected by our peoples, it is Our duty to remove these impediments. There should be no bureaucratic obstacles to the movement of peo- ple, goods, or capital. All people in our Commonwealth should decide for themselves where they should study, in Moscow University or in Minsk, and where they should take holidays. in the magnificent Medeo {[moun- tain resort} in Kazakhstan or at the bank of the precious Issvk-kul Lake. This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copynght owners 12 INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS Integration processes do not contradict the full self- awareness of people as citizens of their states. For this, they should have normal citizens’ documents. | would like to inform you that we will soon introduce new documents which will confirm the identity of Russian citizens, similar to those existing in all civilized countries. These documents have been developed along the lines used in the rest of the world. We are not forcing anyone to cooperate and we are not speeding up integration processes. None of us wants to return to the totalitarian coercive system — that is why we have destroyed the Iron Curtain. We have made it possible for people to think and debate freely, and to compare processes which are taking place in the world. Our peoples are now putting increasing pressure on us to adopt normal civilized forms of integration. Look, they say, countries of the European Union have removed their borders and have set up powerful interstate gov- erning bodies which act to the benefit of their nations. The United States, Mexico. and Canada have integrated in the framework of the NAFTA agreement, Vietnam has joined the ASEAN, which unites Asian countries. We should also unite, integrating our markets and not allowing competitors to beat us one by one on the inter- national market. Nothing is stopping us from creating a stronger commonwealth of states. In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your unyielding support to the first president of the free and democratic Russia in this period which is so important for Russia. I thank you for the wishes of success at the election. The outcome of the election will determine both Russia's future and the prospects of creating a commonwealth of integrated states. A lot of difficult but creative work awaits us. However, only he who moves ahead can walk the whole way. I wish success to our peoples who will certainly walk the whole way. Thank you. CIS: Belarusian President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony LD2903155896 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1200 GMT 29 Mar 96 [Speech by Belarusian President § Alyaksandr Lukashenka at the signing ceremony of a treaty on integration by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in St. George's Hall at the Kremlin — live] [FBIS Translated Text} Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends' In a few minutes’ time four presidents of the fraternal countries of the former Soviet Union will sign a document of historic importance between the FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian Federation on deeper integration and on comprehensive partnership. This marks a new step in enhancing cooperation between the four fraternal states, whose peoples have lived together for centuries sharing the joy of common success and the bitterness of common misfortunes. I am convinced tha the disruption of age-tested eco- nomic, political, and cultural relations of our countries is an unnatural phenomenon that does not meet the de- sires of our peoples. Life itself has proved this. Our peoples are striving for closer integration. They are not satisfied with the level of relations that has been estab- lished within the CIS. People want to live in peace and friendship, in one brotherhood. We have nothing to ar- gue about, there are no serious obstacles on the way of developing comprehensive links between us. Now when our peoples are increasingly manifesting their will for unity, it is important to focus the efforts on enhancing cooperation in all areas of public life, pol- itics, economy, social sphere, and culture. Our coopera- tion should have a targeted nature and be implemented in our common legal field. This will be greatly encour- aged by the agreement we will sign. It stimulates, rather than completing, development of integration processes between our countries in the framework of the Com- monweailth of Independent States. It creates favorable conditions for deeper trade; economic, political, and cul- tural cooperation; for stronger ties of friendship and fra- ternity between the citizens of our states; for speeding up the real process of rapprochement; and most impor- tantly, for improving peoples’ well-being. What can be more important for us, politicians and state leaders? That is why, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Belarusian people, | would like to congratulate all of us here and all the participants of this treaty on this most important event, which will benefit our peoples. Thank you. CIS: Kazakh President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony LD2903165696 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Neiwork in Russian 1200 GMT 29 Mar 96 {Speech by Kazakh President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev at the signing ceremony of a treaty of in- tegration by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kaza- khstan, and Kyrgyzstan in St. George's Hall in the Kremlin — live] [FBIS Translated Text} I greet my colleague presidents, heads of government, all members of delegations, and This report may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 all participants in today’s meeting. | believe this is the latest natural step on the path .o deepening integration. A considerable contribution to the preparation of this summit of four was undoubtedly made by Russian President Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin. | hope that my colleagues agree with this and support this opinion. I think that you and I should emphasize the following points today. First, a great amount of work has gone into the signing of our treaty. The very process of the development of the CIS led us to this step. The preparation of the draft treaty, which we intend to sign today, began back in November last year when we met with the Russian president at the central design bureau. We discussed the first version of the draft on 9 February of this year in Barvikha with Yevgeniy Primakov and Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, when we agreed to sign a tripartite treaty between Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, who are members of the Customs Union, on 14 March of this year. The signing of the treaty was switched to 24 March because of Kyrgyzstan’s wish to join this treaty, and to join the Customs Union with this republic becoming part of the negotiations process relative to the draft of this treaty. Therefore, it would be naive to look for pre- election reasons for events which are of a long-term and fundamental nature. The signing of the treaty is a reflection of the objective general natural trends of the development of all the integrational associations in the world. The clearest example of this is the European Union, which is also developing in accordance with an integration strategy at different speeds of individual components of this association. I consider it timely in this connection to raise another issue. The announcement about the signing of a bilateral agreement on deeper integration between Belarus and Russia led to a broad public response. As you know, I have always been a supporter of multitiered integration. I believe that this agreement should also be considered in this context and not be seen as isolation from the institutions of the CIS. If this agreement between the two fraternal states meets the aspirations of the ordinary people of these countries and reflects their will toward further rapprochement, then one can only welcome this agreement. I would like to stress that the durability and effective- ness of integrating amalgamations should be based on the strict observation of sovereignty and independence. and the principles of equality, mutual benefit, territorial integrity, and noninterference in cach other's internal INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS 13 affairs. It is precisely upon this that our treaty today is based. The treaty signed today is open to all the countries of the CIS and other states which share its objectives and principles. | would describe it as a treaty of Four Plus N. I hope that the number of participants in the treaty will be extended. My optimism is based on the potentially historic links which have been developed between us and the universal trend toward regional and subregional integration. In conclusion, I would like once again to welcome the signing of the treaty and to express the hope that it will in practice contribute to the development of effective integration between our fraternal countries. Thank you for your attention. [applause] CIS: Kyrgyz President Addresses Integration Treaty Ceremony LD2903162696 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1200 GMT 29 Mar 96 {Speech by Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev at the sign- ing ceremony of a treaty on integration by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in St. George's Hall at the Kremlin — live] {[FBIS Translated Text] Esteemed colleague presidents, esteemed ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. | am in complete agreement with my colleague presidents who have already taken the floor that the agreement on the deepening of integration processes in the CIS we are signing today represents a landmark, an event, a significant event in the development and deepening of integration processes within the CIS. 1 am convinced this agreement will serve as a powerful stimulus to progress along this path, the only correct one. I completely agree with [Kazakh] President Nur- sultan Nazarbayev that this agreement has indeed been generated by natural processes. Our path to this agree- ment was a long one. We carried out a great deal of painstaking work. In the course of this work we nat- urally acquired a great deal, and I mean here all our countries, Kyrgyzstan included. We are very satisfied with the fact that today we joined the customs union. Our Prime Minister Apas Dzhumag- ulov and his colleagues, four prime ministers, signed the agreement on the customs union. We have thus become a fully-fledged member of the customs union, some- thing that gives us tremendous satisfaction, because it removes numerous barriers, customs barriers. that stood in the way of expanding cooperation between Kyrgyzs- tan and our main partners — the Russian Federation, This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination 1s prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 14 INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS Kazakhstan, Belarus, and other CIS countries. We wel- come the signing of this agreement and join it fully aware of the responsibility we will bear from now on as a Signatory. Thank you for your attention. CIS: Presidents Issue Statement on Integration Treaty MM2903185196 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 30 Mar 96 pl {Statement by President A.G. Lukashenka of the Re- public of Belarus, President N.A. Nazarbayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President A.A. Akayev of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and President B.N. Yeltsin of the Russian Federation: “Forward Together” | (FBIS Translated Text} Guided by the national inter- ests of our peoples, relying on historically developed ties and their spiritual proximity, aspiring to the further strengthening of friendship and cooperation, and wish- ing tO raise interstate relations onto a qualitatively new level, we, the presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation, have signed a Treaty on Strengthening Integration in the Economic and Human- itarian Spheres. The desire of fraternal peoples for rapprochement is dictated both by the similarity of our fates, and by our common interest in partnership based on equal rights and the clearly outlined needs and possibilities of mutually advantageous economic cooperation. The treaty’s main aim is the more efficient realization of the material and intellectual potentials of our countries aS a necessary condition for raising the economy, enhancing the material and spiritual level of people's lives, and steady democratic development. The main task involved in the strengthening of integra- tion in the economic sphere is to create the necessary conditions for the unrestricted movement of commodi- lies, services, capital, and manpower, and to consolidate and develop economic ties. Tangible steps have already been taken on this path — the Customs Union has been formed, and prospects for the creation of a Payment Union have taken shape. The states-parties to the treaty are paying special attention to conducting a coordinated structural policy aimed at ensuring effective economic interaction and cooperation between them. The implementation of the treaty in the humanitarian sphere will open up scope for further rapprochement between our peoples and everyday contacts between individuals. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 We are convinced that the conclusion of the treaty will promote the coordination of actions in spheres such as the development of democratic institutions, ensuring human rights, harmony in legislation, the fight against organized crime, economic crime, international terrorism, and the drugs business, the protection of the environment, and cooperation on the international arena. The provisions of the signed treaty do not restrict the economic and political relations between any of the sides and other countries in the world community, and they do not affect their international commitments, including those that are included in the framework of the CIS. The treaty is based on the principles of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the states-parties to it This treaty is based on the fundamental aims declared in the CIS Charter. In concluding the treaty, we are proceeding on the basis that the processes of integration within the framework of the CIS are being carried out at different speeds because of the differing degree of readiness to pool efforts. The policy of rapprochement does not in any way mean that the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation are isolating themselves We will continue to actively promote the implementa- tion of the ideas proclaimed in the CIS Charter, and we would sincerely like the other participants in the CIS to join the process of deeper integration in the future. We stress that the treaty is open to other states which share its aims and principles. It fully corresponds to the modern world’s tendency to integrate. We are convinced that by taking the fundamental interests of our peoples into account, the treaty will help combine efforts in creating a decent and successful life. CIS: Yeltsin Announces Lukashenka To Chair Interstate Council LD2903191396 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1200 GMT 29 Mar 96 {Announcement by Russian President Boris Yeltsin on procedural issues and appointments to integration man- agement bodies at the signing of a treaty of integration by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, with statement by Kazakh President Nur- sultan Nazarbayey, at St. George's Hall in the Kremlin — live] [FBIS Translated Excerpt] [Yeltsin] Before moving on to the signing of the treaty and the first protocol This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 of the Interstate Council we need to agree on the candidatures. According to procedure...[pauses] The procedure we have laid down is that the candidatures will be in alphabetical order. In other words, the first candidate for the chairman of the Interstate Council is from the Republic of Belarus. It is proposed — what proposals are there? The president. Fine. Are there any other proposals? No. Alyaksandr Rygoravich Lukashenka is endorsed as chairman of the Interstate Council. [applause] For the Integration Committee. According to our prior agreement it should be someone from among the first deputy chairmen of the governments of one of the four countries. Also, on the basis that it will change within one year. We have. according to the alphabet, Kazakhstan, so the next will therefore be Nursultan Abishevich [Nazarbayev]. | ask for your candidature. (Nazarbayev] As agreed beforehand, we propose the candidature of Nigmetzhan Kabatayevich Isingarin, first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan. INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS 1S [Yeltsin] So the proposal of Kazakh President Nursul- tan Abishevich Nazarbayev will determine the chairman of the Integration Committee; endorse him as Nigmet- zhan Kabatayevich Isingarin. Who is against this candi- dature? [passage omitted] No other proposals? OK, we don’t need to have a vote. It seems all are in favor of Nigmetzhan Kabatayevich Isingarin being endorsed as chairman of the Integration Committee. We congratu- late him. [applause] Fine. Now we have to move on to the signing of the treaty itself and the first protocol of the Interstate Council. The procedure is as follows. Behind us you can see a white table, four presidents are seated, and there they will sign these documents. This report may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 16 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Foreign Ministry Summons U.S. Envoy Over Confidentiality LD2903181596 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1330 GMT 29 Mar 96 {By ITAR-TASS diplomatic correspondent Yuriy Ko- zlov} {FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 29 Mar (Itar-Tass) — Thomas Pickering, U.S. ambassador to Russia, was to- day invited to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where rep- resentations were made to him “in connection with re- peated breaches by the U.S. side of the principle of con- fidentiality of diplomatic contacts,” Grigoriy Karasin, director of the Russian Federation Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department told an ITAR-TASS correspondent today. “It was emphasized that normal interstate contacts cannot exist if this principle fails to be observed,” said the Russian diplomat. The Russian Foreign Ministry, Grigoriy Karasin noted, demands the adoption by the U.S. side of all the necessary measures to put an end to the provocative “leaks” to the mass media. The official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry refused to be more specific. It can, however, be assumed that the demarche has been caused by a number of recent publications in the Russian and foreign press that revealed information of confidential nature. Russia: State Department Seen Upstaged in Foreign Policy by CIA MK2903140096 Moscow NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA in Russian 29 Mar 96 p4 [Report by Yefim Rozenberg under the “Priorities” tubric: “Diplomacy Goes, Intelligence Remains. The U.S. State Department Appears To Cede Its Authority to the CIA"] {[FBIS Translated Text] The unprecedented financial crisis that hit the U.S. foreign policy agency in late 1995 has shaken the faith of tens of thousands of diplomats in their material security. The prestige of the American civil service was essentially jeopardized by the US. Administration's inability to pay the salanes due to the bureaucrats. It appeared that, having been left without money to make ends meet, hundreds of U.S. diplomatic missions abroad would shut their doors, and that the envoys of the American people, forced to take leave without pay, would then humbly wait for something to help them out of this predicament But, on closer scrutiny. it turns out that the actual work- ings of embassies and consulates are much more myste- nous and unpredictable than the man in the street could FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 imagine were he to take at face value official reports to the effect that State Department missions abroad have halted their operation in connection with financial prob- lems. Or perhaps the chiefs of the diplomatic service themselves did not themselves know that, despite the order “to take a rest,” American diplomats went on self- lessly fulfilling their official duties and did not leave their work places? Who should be trusted? Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who announced the distressing news of the temporary suspension of the embassies’ operation? Or numerous witnesses, who saw with their own eyes the unprecedented “selfless diligence” on the part of a con- siderable majority of the employees of the political and consular departments of the U.S. diplomatic missions abroad? Giving vent to his disgruntiement over the financial problems, a U.S. official who has been in diplomatic service for many years said that there are lots of people in the embassies whose well-being depends on the secret services, not on the State Department. In other words, even in those periods when money is hard to come by, the President of the United States can feel safe — his state’s foreign policy will remain in the reliable hands of the fighters of the invisible front. The only question that may arise in the heart of the American taxpayer, who has already become accus- tomed to everything, is whether Christopher's agency has its own political agenda or whether, upon the Democrats” arrival at the White House, it succumbed to the more prosperous CIA. After the Soviet Union's breakup, the Americans en- countered organizational and personnel difficulties in staffing their foreign missions in the CIS and Baltic states. Instead of making the most of its employees by using them in the main — political and consular — de- partments of its embassies, the State Department gener- ously gave the key positions away to CIA spies. The urgency of the problem has brought about a situ- ation where such a sensitive matter as the relationship between the intelligence community and the U.S. State Department has found its way into the mass media. In February of this year, for instance, the architects of the U.S. foreign policy line — experts of the International Affairs Council — appealed to the public from the pages of THE NEW YORK TIMES. They were concerned by a question that has arisen in the official circles of a num- ber of foreign states: Why is it that over the past several years the staffs of consular personnel in U.S. embassies have hecome so bloated and the number of employees dealing with “political problems” has doubled” This report may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination is protubited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Such a situation cannot help but affect the attitude towards the U.S. foreign policy department and the line pursued by it. Suspicion and distrust are edging out openness and fairness in the ideology of international cooperation. It is horrible to think that a lack of the requisite number of career diplomats alone could jeopardize many a joint undertaking in Russian-American relations or international affairs. Clearly, the Americans are not an exception to the rule. Their spies might be of some use, whether little or much, to their president. But the indisputable damage done to bilateral relations, which can hardly be offset by the mythical advantages of covert operations, is also plainly obvious. The Ames case has shown that the U.S. Government and President have for a decade lived in a web of lies and disinformation spun by the CIA. Is there a guarantee that nothing of the kind is recurring now? A diplomat whose stay in Moscow was drawing to an end assured me that his colleagues in the embassy have to shoulder inhuman burdens to compensate for the inaction of “those guys.” The latter, having shifted all their duties onto their unwilling colleagues, descend in droves on Moscow's elite get-togethers, trying to preempt the mouthpieces of the Russian free press. Subsequently, they pass off scandalous rumors as the result of their assiduous work, and harshly criticize reports by State Department analysts as incompetent and distorting reality. However, this is an insiders view, and it might well reflect one-sided interests. What seems to be a more balanced view is the account of a Russian citizen who has passed through a grilling by a “quiet American” in the torture chambers of the U.S. Embassy's consular service. It must be a secret for the chiefs of the diplomatic mission alone — otherwise they would have long put an end to this practice — that the most arcane consular problems can be resolved by generously paying the right immigration official. But it turns out that this is not the only way of visiting your relatives in the United States or secing the miracle of Disneyland. It will suffice to name a classified enterprise or institute in the questionnaire as your workplace; you will instantly turn from being yet another subhuman into an object drawing the consular employee's close attention. The attention, not of a regular diplomat at that, but of a spy. The chance of making a mistake is effectively zero — you can safely approach anyone. Then you will discover the entire scope of an American bureaucrat’s magnanimity — he would even be ready RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 17 to breach existing instructions prohibiting him to let into the United States people who might potentially overstay their visas and thus to do considerable damage to America’s national interests. If you do not have a plush apartment and a limousine, if you are not married, if your relatives are not confined to a hospital bed, and there is someone to take care of your favorite pets, you might just as well not visit the consulate —- you will not be allowed into the United States all the same. What if you stay there and, having found a job as a dishwasher, deprive an American of his means of subsistence? But until this has been found out, you will have fully, seriously, and frankly — to a radiant smile — given answers to questions that any district court would have assigned to the list of state secrets. It seems that the vigilant processors of the question- naires filled out by Russian citizens wishing to visit the United States have decided to follow the tradition of the first immigrants: only the “very best" may go to America. In this case doesn't the U.S. secret services’ parochial approach to the consular service's operation evolve into a policy pursued by the State Department with regard to Russian citizens in general? One cannot but draw the conslusion that having started from small things the U.S. intelligence services are beginning to take precedence over the U.S. foreign policy department, in the end imposing their priorities as fundamentals of U.S. foreign policy. Russia: Yeltsin Postpones Ukraine Visit Over Black Sea Fleet Issue LDO104111296 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1048 GMT | Apr 96 {By ITAR-TASS correspondent Andrey Shtorkh] {FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, | Apr (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Boris Yeltsin's visit to Ukraine scheduled for 4 and 5 April has been postponed, Sergey Medvevev, press secretary to the Russian president, told ITAR-TASS today. He said that “this was caused by the issue of the Black Sea Fleet bases, which is still unresolved, although some progress has been made at the talks on the Black Sea Fieet.” Medvedev said “Yeltsin wants sincerely to consolidate relations between the two states and brotherly peoples, but nevertheless, he does not think it is possible to sign agreements which, in his view, are not fully in Russia’s interests.” Medvedev said “the president hopes that his visit to Ukraine will be possible in the near future and suggests that the talks on the Black Sea Fleet should continue. He hopes they will be successful.” This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 18 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Chernomyrdin Wants No Changes to Black Sea Fleet Accords LD2903150296 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1217 GMT 29 Mar 96 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Gennadiy Yezhov and Artem Protasenko] (FBIS Translated Text} Moscow, 29 Mar (Itar-Tass) — Russia does not want “any changes to be made” to the previously reached agreements with Ukraine on the division of the Black Sea Fleet, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin said today in a briefing at Government House. This is dictated by the need to protect our southern boundaries, he stressed. At the present stage of the talks with Ukraine on the division of the fleet, “the discussion focused only on the question of Sevastopol,” the prime minister said. “During all years and at all stages of the talks and agree- ments with Ukraine (in Massandra, Yalta, Moscow, and Almaty) Russia's stance on the question of the division of the Black Sea Fleet has in no way changed, and we have not retreated from our obligations under the agree- ments. We are also strictly adhering to our obligations under the Sochi agreements on the Black Sea fleet,” the Russian prime minister said. Russia: Grachev, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Upbeat on Talks MK3003135896 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY in Russian 28 Mar 96 pp 1, 3 [Report by Ilya Bulavinov: “Patriot Games”] (FBIS Translated Text] When, at the first joint ses- sion of Ukrainian and Russian Defense Ministry col- legiums last November in Sochi, Ukrainian Minister Valeriy Shmarov romantically suggested that a follow- up meeting be organized “somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains,” there were no objections. The event was postponed twice owing to Grachev's busy schedule, but expectations were not defeated: The Ukrainian author- ities made available an excellent military sports center in the city of Tysovets. That was very opportune. Be- fore beginning their work on Thursday, Grachev and Shmarov reveaied: “The presidents said, “You will sit there and work until you reach agreement.”” The Ukrainian side made serious preparations. Two months ago all holiday makers were “asked” to leave the center, renovation work continued for a month and a half, and the ministers’ houses were equipped with satel- lite communication antennas. True, some problems stl! arose: Shortly before the ministers were due to arrive. two buses full of prcketers came to the center to protest the visit by “the kat (executioner — KOMMERSANT- FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 DAILY) of the Chechen people.” The Ukrainian military did not disclose where the picketers then disappeared. But on Thursday everything was quiet, while al! roads and footpaths around the center were closed off within a radius of 35 km. The ministers did not discuss the key aspect of divid- ing the Black Sea Fleet: areas for the fleet's location. Grachev stated firmly that they will discuss military matters, but fleet basing is a political problem and is up to the premiers to decide. Another “naval” ques- tion is the completion of vessels for the Russian Navy in Ukraine (two in Nikolayev, two in Sevastopol, and also two floating dry docks in Kherson). The Ukrainians predictably started complaining about Moscow's debts. Anatoliy Sidnov, chief of the Defense Ministry Procure- ment Directorate, sought to bypass Grachev'’s question: “What is the situation there?” by saying: “Yes, these are good vessels; we should take them,” but Grachev insisted: “No, | mean what is the situation with the debt?” Sidnov responded with the utmost reluctance: “| think that we shall settle it in April.” He had barely pronounced these words when Shmarov, who had ap- parently been waiting for it, said softly: “Okay, let us include that in our record.” The money problem became a cause for disagreement also on the question of the joint use of the missile attack warning system in Nukachevo and Sevastopol. General Statsenko, Ukrainian Air Defense Force commander, said that Russia is in effect not paying its share for 1994-1995. General Smirnov, commander in chief of the Russian Missile and Space Defense Forces, countered: “AS soon as we get one set of figures approved in the government, Ukraine sends us new ones. True, Ukrainian Air Defense Force commanders misled not only their Russian celleagues: Shmarov suggested to Smirnov that Russia has reduced the volume of in- formation provided to Ukraine, but the general instantly convinced Shmarov that this is wrong. The agenda also included matters of military-technical and mulitary-scientific cooperation, joint preparation of personnel, the use of missile attack warning systems, the completion of warships on Russian Defense Ministry orders at Ukrainian shipyards, and transfer to Russia of the Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers and 32 strategic missile systems that remain on Ukrainian territory. Yet the main question which, ahead of Boris Yeltsin's visit to Kiev, received the most attention was the division of the Black Sea Fleet. At their Thursday plenary session the ministers decided for a start to hear a progress report on implementation of earlier agreements. Naturally they began with the eet. According to Ukraiman Navy Commander in This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination ts prohibtted without permission of the copyneht owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Chief Viadimir Beskorovaynyy, the Black Sea Fleet has already transferred to the Ukrainian Navy 96 surface installations and 100 percent of the vessels and aircraft that are to be handed over by | April. All in all, Russia is to transfer SO of the 89 vessels that constitute the Ukrainian share. In the course of working meetings with Viktor Kravchenko, the newly appointed Black Sea Fleet commander, the navy servicemen of both countries already began to discuss working documents: procedures for using the bays, the organization of information exchanges, and joint use of monitoring systems. Beskorovaynyy had two complaints to make: the transfer of combat and technical documentation (part of which was destroyed by Black Sea Fleet officers contrary to the orders of Russian Navy Commander in Chief Feliks Gromov) and the return of equipment earlier removed from the vessels. According to Gromov “the schedule is being implemented accurately, while the small delays are insignificant.” Furthermore, there is still the problem of the division of ammunition past its service life, which neither side wants. The ministers reminded the commanders in chief that “not only the goodies, but also the nasties have to be divided equitably.” According to Shmarov “there are 4,000 railway cars [full of ammunition] and nobody even knows how much money is needed to destroy all of that,” to which Grachev observed: “See, when Russia gives you something free, you do not want to take it.” Otherwise there were no other disagreements between the sides. And when the next speaker, General Yevgeniy Vysotskiy, chief of the Russian Defense Ministry Main Personnel Directorate, started talking about fruitful cooperation, Grachev could not help exclaiming: “What, do we have no problems at all?" “That's right, sir, none!" “Why then did you come here in the first place?” the minister queried menacingly. “Just to take it easy,” Shmarov summed up. Finally, at the end of the plenary session, dismissing his subordinates to working groups, Grachev said: "Go and work where you like and in any way you like, but in the next two days and one night you are to resolve all questions.” And the generals did not miss that opportunity, breaking up into interest groups: Some preferred alpine skiing, some the sauna, and some billiards. The ministers, for their part, could not deny themselves the pleasure of assuming command — this time on the volleyball court, personally heading the combined teams of their respective departments. Grachev was the most useful player. He not only made the main contribution to routing the Ukrainian side (3- 0), bringing his team six points, but also directed the actions of his partners (one general apparently faced the threat of being dismissed from the army in disgrace. but everything eventually blew over) and cut short attempts RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 19 by the Ukrainian umpire to help his side. Generally, it was difficult to follow Grachev: Only five minutes ago he was in a session, but then, already wearing a colorful skung suit, he is moving toward the lift. Yesterday morning, after a tennis match, he negotiated with Shmarov until lunch, after which he switched to biathlon. If all of this affected the results of the work, it did so only for the better. The missile men managed to finally agree on the transfer to Russia of 32 SS19 systems that will be put on combat duty, in exchange for supplies of military-technical equipment. Documents on cooperation in the scientific sphere, military education, and interaction between air defense duty officers were drafted. So, in the end, the ministers expressed sausfaction with the fact that cooperation has moved trom the rhetorical to the pracucal sphere. The question of Yeltsin's visit to Kiev (it is scheduled tor 4-5 April) will apparently be finalized by the premiers: In the next few days Viktor Chernomyrdin is flying to Kiev to finally straighten out all questions concerning the Black Sea Fleet Russia: Moscow To Procure 25 Strategic Bombers From Ukraine LD2903200196 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1902 GMT 29 Mar 96 [FBIS Transcribed Text] TYSOVETS (UKRAINE), Mar 29 (Interfax) — Moscow plans to procure 25 strate- gic bombers from Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev said addressing a press conference in Tysovets, western Ukraine. The press conference was devoted to the results of Grachev's talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Shmarov. There will be ten Tu-160 and 15 Tu-95 MS aircraft among the above-mentioned 25 bombers, Commander- in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Petr Deynekin told Interfax in comment on this information. They are stationed at military aerodromes in Uzin and Priluki in Ukraine. In addition, Ukraine will transfer about 300 air-to-ground guided missiles to Russia. According to Deynekin, Moscow plans to transfer “several AN-24 and AN-27 military transport aircraft and Mi-8 transport helicopters” to Kiev as compensation for the strategic bombers In addition, Ukraine will receive eight training Mig-29 and four Su-27 aircraft This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyneht owners 20 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Yeltsin Meets With PRC’s Qiao Shi, Comments on Talks LDO104123896 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1157 GMT | Apr 96 (By Andrey Shtorkh] {[FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, April | (Itar- Tass) — “We regard our policy vis-a-vis the People’s Republic of China as a priority direction of our foreign policy course,” President Boris Yeltsin said today during a meeting here with Chairman of the Chinese People’s Congress (Parliament) Qiao Shi. Yeltsin said that very good contacts were established between the Russian and Chinese leaderships. "We have had more than one meeting with the Chinese leaders to discuss the prospects of our relations. We have signed many documents and now we are busy implementing them,” the Russian President stated. Yeltsin recalled that his official visit to China would take place shortly. He noted that it was scheduled for April 24-26. “We are very seriously preparing for the visit, for our meetings with Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Jiang Zemin and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Peng,” Yeltsin stressed. The President said that about fifteen documents were being prepared for signing. Yeltsin pointed out that the Russian side would touch on some absolutely new aspects of Russo-Chinese cooperation during the visit. “I am referring,” the President said, “primarily to the border issue, which has still not been settled. We stand for the demarcation of the border between Russia and China. The second question will be the conclusion of an agreement to pull the troops away from both sides of the border,” Yeltsin stated. Russia: Primakov Holds Talks With Indian Counterpart, President LD3003110496 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0936 GMT 30 Mar 96 (By ITAR-TASS correspondent Leonid Kotov] {FBIS Translated Text] New Delhi, 30 Mar (Itar-Tass) — Prospects for developing relations between Russia and India, global international problems, and questions of regional politics were discussed today at talks in Deihi between Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeniy Pri- makov and his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee. The talks marked the beginning of Primakov's two-day official visit to India to which both countries attach great importance. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 At the meeting, Primakov and Mukherjee exchanged views on world events and on the problem of fight- ing international terrorism. They discussed events in Afghanistan and their effect on the situation in Cen- tral Asia. The sides stressed the great importance of the Declaration on the Defense of the Interests of Multina- tional States which Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao signed in Moscow in 1994. Primakov and Mukherjee said Russia and India firmly advocate observance of the principle of territorial integrity and declared that the unity of coun- tries which have been subjected to interference by the forces of religious fundamentalism and separatism must be maintained. Also today the Russian foreign minister met with the Indian president, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. “Russia's international ties should be diverse and we cannot orient our policy solely towards the west. Our relations with such a world power as India have a specific nature and are very important for us,” Primakov told Russian journalists. The Russian foreign minister said his talks with the Indian president and the foreign minister were “interesting.” He stressed that he expects a lot from his meeting tomorrow with Indian Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao, to whom Primakov will deliver a personal message from President Boris Yeltsin in which future Russian-Indian relations are outlined. “With a broad range of mutual interests, Russia and India will remain equal partners well into the 2Ist century. Our country and India are interested in stability in the South Asian region and in the world. Our countries share similar views on the conflict situations in various states. We are against bloc confrontations but favor the stable development of relations in the international arena,” Primakov stressed. Russia: Primakov: Military Cooperation With India Not Destabilizing LD3003174696 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1622 GMT 30 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] DELHI, March 30 (Interfax) — Russian-Indian military technological cooperation does not destabilize the situation in the region, Rus- sian Foreign Minister Yevgeniy Primakov told a press conference in Dethi Saturday. “Since India does not destabilize the situation in the region, Russia proceeds from the assumption that nor will cooperation with this country.” Primakov said in answer to an Interfax question. “India is one of Russia‘s lop-priority partners. This report may contain copynghted matena! Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Primakov and his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, signed an intergovernmental agreement to establish a direct telephone hotline between the Kremlin and the Indian PM's residence. This hotline is evidence of the level of relations between the two countries. Primakov told Interfax. He made it clear that the line will be used to discuss confidential issues. The Russian-Indian cooperation is not intended against China or any other countries. Primakov said. “Both Russia and India are interested in very good relations with the great China,” he underlined. At the same time, Primakov admitted a pro-western bias in Russia's foreign policy in the first years after the breakup of the former Soviet Union. “Relations with the former cold war opponents must have been normalized,” he said. However, even in those years Russia knew what place India occupies in the world, President Yeltsin's 1993 visit to Dethi being evidence of it, he said. Primakov supported a peacefui solution to the Cashmere issue and spoke against its internationalization. He answered laconically “Yes” to the question if Russia would welcome India’s joining the non-proliferation treaty. Russia: Vice Premier Davydov Cited on Libya Visit MM0104082196 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 30 Mar 9% p 3 [Report by Gennadiy Charodeyev: “Al-Qadhdhafi Will Not Be Coming to Moscow, But Russia Is Ready To Go Back Into Libya"! [FB!IS Transtated Text} At talks in Tripoli Muammar al-Qadhdhafi, head of the Libyan Jamariyah, called on the Russian side to resume economic cooperation at previous levels and proposed that Russia build several major facilities on his territory to the tune of $10-11 billion. Government Deputy Chairman Oleg Davydov, who headed the Russian delegation, does not see anything sensational about this Libyan initiative. Moreover, it follow. from Boris Yeltsin's message to al-Qadhdhafi that Moscow is prepared to show political resolution and “move back into Libya.” The sanctions introduced in 1992 against this Arab country by the United Nations for a terrorist act on board a U.S. passenger aircraft have for the first time been called “unjustified” by the Russian president. In addition, it is well known that in recent months at least two impressive Libyan delegations have visited Smolensk Square (Russian Foreign Ministry], where RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 21 talks were held on expanding trade and economic links and on settling Libya's debt to Russia, which stands at $3.8 billion. The Russian vice premier told IZVESTIYA that today a “formula for settling the Libyan debt has been found in principle.” This will take place as Libya's financial position, which was seriously damaged by the UN sanctions, stabilizes. Negotiations on debts will possibly be continued in Moscow in April. Oleg Davydov stressed that Russia no longer intends to lose its position in the Libyan market, where “we secured ourselves a firm foothold in the course of 40 years.” Moscow decided to strictly fulfill the UN decisior on sanctions against Libya. Eventually our trade and eco- nomic relations completely stagnated. The former Soviet colony in Libya has been reduced almost thirtyfold! To- day, in addition to the diplomatic corps, not more than 200 Russian citizens still work in the country. Special- ists of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations have estimated that Russia’s direct economic losses alone, not counting lost profits, amount to around $7 billion. But Western companies have not even dreamed of leav- ing Libya. Several thousand Italian scientists, engineers, and workers continue to pump oil and gas in the Libyan desert to this day. More than 1,500 British specialists and thousands of citizens of other West European and Asian countries are employed in various spheres of local production. The United States has officially banned its companies from trading with Libya. However, Ameri- cans have reappeared on the Libyan market by exploit- ing the possibilities of third countries. The Russian vice premier, who, incidentally, worked for five years as an adviser in our embassy in Tripoli, believes that today it is possible, and necessary, to do business with Mu’ammar al- Qadhdhafi, an extremely energetic and sober-minded person. Libya, a country which receives around $10 billion every year from the sale of oil, will become a good market for the sale of Russian equipment and goods. Al-Qadhdhani, relying on the calculations of experts and economists, proposed, in particular, that Russia begin construction in the very near future of a network of new gas pipelines, a railroad, housing and industrial complexes, and power stations, and the modernization and redesign of enierprises that have already been built... “This does not mean that Moscow intends to violate the UN sanctions regulations,” the Russian vice premier stressed. As for the rumors of an imminent visit by the leader of the Libyan revolution to the Russian capital, Oleg This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts profibited without permission of the copyright owners 22 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Davydov knows nothing of such a visit. Mu’ammar al- Qadhdhafi has traveled outside his country very infre- quently in recent years, concentrating himself entirely on pan-Arab and Libvan internal problems. Russia: Moldevar Premier Arrives for Talks on Cooperation 1LD3103162896 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1547 GMT 31 Mar 96 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Valeriy Demidetskiy] {[FBIS Translated Text] Kishinev, 31 Mar (ltar-Tass) — A Moldovan Goverument delegation, led by Prime FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Minister Andrey Sangheli, arrived today on a working visit in Moscow where he will hold talks on trade and economic cooperation. ITAR-TASS learned from sources in the government that the delegatior will discuss the writing off debts for the Russian gas that is being supplied to Moldova, and the exports of Moldovan wines and brandies to Russia after the introduction of excise duty by Russia. It 1s expected that they will also discuss problems concerning Russian troops’ presence in the territory of Moldova's Maritime Region. This report may contain copynghted maternal. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Political Issues Russia: Polls Show Yeltsin ‘Gaining Ground’ Against Zyuganov LD3103210596 Moscow NTV in Russian 1700 GMT 31 Mar 96 {FBIS Summary] The “Itogi” program carries a 6-minute report quoting two independent polls conducted this week as saying that if the the presidential elections were to be held on 31 March, as many as 27 percent of those planning to vote in June would vote for Gennadiy Zyuganov, but Boris Yeltsin is gaining ground, with up to 19 percent of the active electorate planning to vote for him. According to a Russia-wide poll conducted by TsIIOM, the Central Institute for the Study of Public Opinion, Zyuganov would get 25 percent, his rating unchanged since the last poll on 17 March; Yeltsin's popularity has gone up from 15 percent to 18 percent. Aleksandr Lebed is in third place, with 10 percent of the poll, up from 8 percent on 17 March. Grigory Yavlinskiy is in fourth place, down from 11 percent on 17 March to 9 percent on 31 March. Zhirinovskiy is in fifth piace, polling an unchanged 9 percent. Svyatoslav Fedorov is sixth, with 7 percent, the same as on 17 March. Viktor Chernomyrdin has dropped from 4 to 3 percent, and is in 7th place. Yegor Gaydar has an unchanged 3 percent of the vote, and Mikhail Gorbachev an unchanged | percent of the active electorate. Whereas on 31 Marsch 12 percent of those polled did not know who to vote for, on 31 March only 9 percent were in the same position. TsIIOM allows a margin of error of 3.8 percent. Another poll commissioned by NTV and carried out by the Ravnir Institute, which is a member of the Gallup association, put the main contenders in the same order. Zyuganov would get 27 percent of the poll, compared with 26 perceat on 17 March. Yeltsin would get 19 percent, up on 17 percent on 17 March. Lebed, in third place, is up to 9 percent from 6 percent on 17 March. Yavlinskiy, in fourth place, is down from 9 percent to 8 percent. Zhirinovskiy is still in fifth place, with an unchanged 7 percent. according to the Ramir poll. Svyatosiav Fedorov also has 7 percent, up 2 percent from 17 March. Chernomyrdin, in seventh place. polled 3 percent, down from 4 percent. Gaydar has 2 percent, down from 3 percent. Aleksandr Rutskoy, who did not feature in the TsHIOM poll, is in ninth place with | percent. down from 2 percent on 17th March. and Gorbachev has | percent. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 23 Thirteen percent of those polled had difficulty in an- swering, compared with 17 percent a fortnight ago. Ramir has a 4 percent margin of error. Gennadiy Zyuganov remains the favorite in any second round of voting, with 45 percent against Zhirinovskiy’s 12 percent, according to the Ramir poll. If Zyuganov went to a second round against Lebed, the former would get 38 percent, the latter 24 percent; against Yavlinskiy, Zyuganov would get 38 percent to Yavlinskiy’s 29 percent. In a run-off between Zyuganov and Yeltsin, Zyuganov would get 40 percent, Yeltsin would receive 30 percent. The TsIIOM poli shows Yeltsin gaining even more ground in a second round fight, with Zyuganov only 3 percent ahead, compared with 20 percent in January. Russia: Yeltsin Said Unwilling To Take Part in TV Election Debates MM2903155496 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 29 Mar 96 pl {Unattributed report: “So Boris Nikolayevich Is Not Going To Take Part in Television Debates?” } {FBIS Translated Text} The chairman of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Ed- uard Sagalayev, hopes that, despite the Central Elec- toral Commission's instructions, which exactly repeat all the provisions of the previous instructions (making free airtime readily available to candidates), the All- Russia Company will nevertheless succeed in organiz- ing television debates: Zhirinovskiy, Lebed, and Svy- atoslav Fedorov have already given their preliminary consent to take part. Those candidates who refuse to take part in the television debates will definitely feel they have lost out: Journalists from the All-Russia Com- pany will make this clear to them. However, it immediately t;anspired that Boris Niko- layevich had said in a privace conversation that he would not be taking part in any television debate: Apparently it does not befit an incumbent president to conduct a discussion with another contender as if he were an or- dinary candidate. Asked by your IZVESTIYA commen- tator whether journalists from the All-Russia Company would make Yeltsin aware that he would lose out as a result, Sagalayev replied in the affirmative. And he added: “Perhaps that will make him change his mind?” This report may contain copyrighted material Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners u RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Legal Aide Denies Yeltsin Breached Election Law LD3003174096 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1641 GMT 30 Mar 96 [By Andrey Shtorkh) {[FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, March 30 (lItar- Tass) — “Russian President Boris Yeltsin will never allow himself to breach the law on the election of the head of state,” presidential legal adviser Mikhail Krasnov said. The announcement followed ex-Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev's recent statement that accused Yeltsin of violating the election law by setting up an election council which involves a number of officials, smcluding Igor Malashenko, the president of Russia’s independent television broadcasting company NTV. In an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass on Saturday, Krasnov said that the law on presidential elections in Russia sets the incumbent president aside from all other presidential candidates. “The law does not require the incumbent president to leave his office. It only prohibits him from using the advantages of his position,” he added. Krasnov noted that “we may speculate about where the president's duties end and where his rights as a presidential candidate begin forever. But the only verifiable evidence would be the use by Boris Yeltsin of budget funds to organise his cewn election campaign.” “But Boris Yeltsin has never allowed himself, and never will, to do this,” he added. The aide stressed that the election council set up by Yeltsin a week ago is an unofficial body which involves Yeltsin's political allies for whom supporting the president is a matter of conscience and responsibility for Russia, rather than a duty. Among those who have been invited to work in the council is Yeltsin's daughter, Tatyana Dyachenko, which Krasnov sees a signal that Yeltsin needs com- plete trust and wise advice, rather than the position of council members. If one follows Gorbachev's logic, Yeltsin should not be seeking advice of his aides cither. However, from the moral point of view the Russian presicent’s open moves appear to be much more honest th< -e establishment of secret structures, Krasnov said. He quoted some observers as saying that the State Duma has virtually turned into an election headquarters tor the Communist Party. FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 Krasnov stressed that Yeltsin's election campaign ts a direct continuation of his constitutional functions Indeed, none of the presidential candidates has provided guarantees that the existing constitutional system will be preserved if he wins the elections in June. For Yeltsin the main goal is not a reelection for a second term, but the creation of songer guarantees against new turmoils in Russia. Krasnov said. As regards Malashenko, he is not a state employee since the company he heads is an independent entity, the aide noted. He pointed out that NTV continues to criticise the Russian leader now and then even though its president is sitting on Yeltsin's elecuon council. Malashenko's decision to accept Yeltsin's invitation to work in the council was prompted by the considerations of civic duty in light of a real threat of totalitarian revenge, Krasnov said. Russia: NTV President Malashenko Joins Yeltsin Election Team MM2903151596 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 28 Mar 9 p5 (Report by Irina Petrovskaya: “President Is President's Consultant. Why Yeltsin Team Chose Leader of Out- of-Favor NTV"] (FBIS Translated Text] Igor Malashenko, president of the NTV independent television company, has joined the council for the reelection of Boris Yeltsin to the post of Russian president. He will coordinate electronic mass media activity relating to coverage of the election campaign and will also advise Yeltsin on how to build relations with the mass media in order to achieve the desired result in the election. There is nothing surprising about the fact that a crucial! public mission has been entrusted to the leader of a nonstate television company: During previous elections state television has already repeatedly demonstrated its inability to achieve the “desired result’ and, on the contrary, a staggering ability to achieve a result directly opposite to that desired. Neither the methods of crude agitprop. to which state television resorted at the end of 1993, nor the objectivist-detached position which 1 adopted at the end of 1995 had the expected effect. The authorities, when calling the tune they needed from thei dependent television companies, proved to have a poor knowledge of the psychology of mass perception Evidently the main lesson from previous election cam paigns has now heen learned: He who controls televiston loses the election. That 1s why tt has been decided | This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 organize relations with electronic mass media on a fun- damentally new, professional basis, that is to say based on advice from and consultations with a professional television manager of an independent company which in the eyes of its audience has the reputation of being Oppositionist and which even came close to suffering at the hands of the authorities: Soon after military opera- tions began in Chechnya NTV was threatened with the loss of its broadcasting license for “inappropriate cover- age” of Chechen events. While last summer the General Prosecutor's Office instituted criminal proceedings re- lating to insults against senior statesmen in the NTV program “Kukly.” The fact that the most senior statesman will be taking advice from the president of what in the recent past was a perfidious company undoubtedly testifies to the evolution in the authorities’ attitude toward the mass media as well as to its pragmatism: Tactics should be changed when the question “to be or not to be?” looms large. On the other hand the mass media (at least the most independent) have no real alternative: Under the present regime, despite the conflicts with the authorities which arise from time to time they are being allowed to exist. If the “opposition” wins the independent mass media's future is, to put it mildly, problematical. True, in television circles it is believed that Malashenko agreed to join the newly formed council not only because he is worried about the future of Russia and the independent mass media but also on the guarantee that he would get the entire fourth channel, which is currently divided between NTV and the All-Russia State Television Company. The farcical struggle for the channel between the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and NTV has been going on for several months now. First Oleg Poptsov, then Edvard Salagayev vow that they will not give up a “second” of state airtime. In letters to the president, Malashenko recalls NTV's services to democracy and gives his assurance that his company will be able to achieve more if it has the whole channel. But according to Malashenko no deal on the lines “if you help me to become president again | will give you the channel” was struck. In an interview with Radio Liberty he set out his position on this question as follows: “Although I am not holding any talks on this subject, my new public mission will not compel me to refuse the fourth channel if it is indeed offered to NTV. I am convinced that the channel should belong to NTV lock, stock, and barrel irrespective of whether or not I am the president's consultant, whether or not | participate in the election campaign. or whether NTV is in or out of favor.” RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 2s Malashenko, of course, is dissembling slightly: Regular, direct contact with the president without intermediaries increases NTV's chances of obtaining the channel severalfold. Now it is all a question of the effectiveness of his advice and consultations. Russia: Democratic Party Leader Favors Lebed for President LD3003 144796 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 30 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, March 30 (Inter- fax) — The leader of Russia's Democratic Party (DPR) Sergey Glazyev has asked delegates to the party's con- vention that opened in a Moscow suburb today to nom- inate General Aleksandr Lebed, a State Duma deputy, for the presidential elections. As Lebed is able to “prevent society from being split into hostile classes and stop the relentless social conflict, he can rally around him honest and responsible people, all who take the fate of Russia to heart,” Glazyev said. Recalling that DPR voted for the incumbent head of State at the presidential ballot five years ago, Glazyev remarked: “We hoped that Boris Yeltsin will create conditions for economic growth and prosperity in Russia then.” These hopes were dashed, DPR leader said, adding that “with the economic crisis in the country, more than a fourth of the population is impoverished, deaths prevail over births and freedom has turned into all out permissiveness and crime.” Giving Yeltsin his dues for “ensuring the freedom of speech, the choice of residence and work,” Glazyev nonetheless stressed that DPR will not support this candidacy at the June 16 elections. He did not rule out an election alliance with the national patriotic bloc, led by the Russian Communist Party chief Gennadiy Zyuganov. “Although DPR and the Zyuganov led coalition are significantly at odds on key issues, interaction between them is tactically expedient,” Glazyev said, wishing that this cooperation rest on “the recognition of the common values of democracy, patriousm, and a constructive program of action to overcome the crisis. This report may contain copyrighted material Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permissin of the copyright owners 6 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFA1i&S Russia: Presidential Candidate’s Registration Rejected LD2903212996 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1920 GMT 29 Mar 96 (By ITAR-TASS correspondent Igor Belskiy] [FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (Itar- Tass) — The Russian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has denied registration for the presidential elec- tion to Vladimir Bryntsalov. Bryntsalov, a former leader of a major pharmaceutical company and now a State Duma deputy, submitted his signatures of support on March 20. The CEC has turned down the signatures on the grounds that the filling out of signature lists alone made over 120,000 signatures invalid. A closer look at the signature-collecting catmpaign of Bryntsalov revealed that 30 collectors were non- existent. Thus, only three of ten signature collectors allegedly campaigning for Bryntsalov in the Vladimir region proved real. Names on lists of Bryntsalov’s backers in the Moscow region were found to be in a strict alphabetical order. In addition, the CEC contacted people in the Russian Far East, whose names were on the lists, to hear denials. The CEC rejected a total of 350,000 signatures as fakes, to submit them to the Prosecutor's Office for a fraud probe. Bryntsalov said, leaving the CEC office, that he would appeal the decision in the Supreme Court. Russia: Communi-ts Seen Anticipating Defeat in June Elections MM0104115196 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 30 Mar 96 p 5 {Article by Vladimir Kuznechevskiy: “Integration in the Context of the Elections. Russian Federation State Duma's Decisions on Denouncing Belovezhskaya Ac- cords Remain at the Center of Attention in Russian and World Public Opinion” | (FBIS Translated Excerpt] The Moscow poet Igor Kobozev 30 years ago uttered words that are recalled even today: “From Russia's tread half the globe shakes.” It would appear that this is exactly what is happening. On 15 March the State Duma adopted a decree declaring that the RSFSR Supreme Soviet's decision of 12 De- cember 1991 on the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States — and, therefore, also the decision of the USSR Supreme Soviet Soviet of the Republics. which 25 December 1991 adopted the Declaration ter- FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 minating the existence of the Supreme Soviet — had no juridical force. The mass media termed this State Duma decision the denunciation of the Belovezhskaya Accords, since it was in Belovezhskaya Pushcha 8 De- cember 1991 that the process of abolishing the USSR was begun by the leaders of Ukraine, Belarus, and Rus- sia. [passage omitted] It is interesting that, whereas before the State Duma’s decision Boris Yeltsin's election campaign was proceed- ing rather sluggishly and producing no tangible results (his rating was virtually stagnant), following the rapier- like thrust from the lower house of parliament the pres- ident’s campaign received a major boost. It can be confidently stated that this round of the election campaign, begun by the Communists, has gone to Boris Yeltsin. However, the question arises — why then did the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation] take this “Duma” step? Various opinions have been expressed on this subject. But there is no longer any doubt that the Communist-inspired State Duma decision bears an electoral character. And the point is by no means that, since the rise in G. Zyuganov’s rating has slowed recently, while B. Yeltsin's has shown a tendency to increase, the CPRF decided to take the initiative in, apparently, the most effective direction — by playing on Russians’ nostalgia for the Soviet Union. No. The impression is that certain changes have taken place in the CPRF leadership in recent times precisely with regard to the elections. Clear signs have emerged that the Communists no longer want to win the presidential election. Many of their recent steps show that the euphoria of victory in December has begun to wane, and power in the country no longer looks an enticing prize for them. The reason, evidently, is that, under the closest examination, it seems that today it is difficult to utilize power in the desired direction. In the past 10 years Russia has acquired an inertia potential that is very difficult to turn through 180 degrees. And after 16 June it would have to continue what Boris Yeltsin has begun, but in forms that are milder for the people. But it is the president himselt who today is demonstrating such modifications. So on what ground can he be fought?! Therefore the opinion now prevails among a majority of CPRF leaders that the party will be unable to win the presidential elections, and positions for a retreat are now being prepared. In the very near future we will evidently see new unpopular — from the voters’ viewpoint — steps in this direction from the most powerful faction in the State Duma This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination w prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Russia: Smirnyagin Introduces Paper’s Series on Elections MM0104111296 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI in Russian 29 Mar 96 pp !, 2 {Article by Presidential Council Member Leonid Smirnyagin: “The Vulnerable Point of the Regional Elites Is Their Weak Connection With the Masses”] {FBIS Translated Text} There is considerable press speculation at present over the reorganization that is un- der way in the Russian Federation Presidential Staff. In particular, it is being claimed that analysis departments have been eliminated from the staff, that no analysis products are being turned out, and that the new leader- ship can find no use for highly qualified presidential ex- perts. Leonid Smirnyagin, the well-known specialist on regional policy, has been named as one of the people in this category. However, he is continuing to work fruit- fully on the staff and to prepare serious analysis papers. We are acquainting our readers today with one such pa- per. It is an analysis of the trends that emerged in the Russian regions during the December 1995 State Duma elections. Today, ahead of the elections of the country’s president, it is extremely important to take these trends and conclusions into account in order to mount an ef- fective election campaign at local level. ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI is going to devote a series of articles to this topic. For the second time in succession all-Russia elections are being left without in-depth public analysis. Two years ago, after the first Federal Assembly elections, you could have counted the articles about the results in the mass-circulation press on the fingers of both hands — I am talking about serious articles aspiring to provide a real analysis. It is clearly going to be the same this time. It is now almost three months since the preliminary results of the elections became known, yet there has still been very little press comment on them. The point is that nowadays most analysts serve political teams — some directly, by entering the service of the relevant structures (like your obedient servant), and some as it were indirectly and from the outside, by making analysis a matter of commerce; the remainder, almost to a man, work for research institutes, including foreign ones. In all cases they find it difficult to get published in the mass-circulation press. “Servant” analysts are fettered by team discipline, “institute” analysts by their institution's ideological orientation, and “commercial” analysts by their idea that analysis is a Commodity that it is unwise to disseminate among newspapers (unless the firm requires publicity). All these obstacles vanish when these analysts are working for their private client. Small wonder that they preter this sort of work to writing articles. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 27 So the upshot is that the public is gradually lagging further and further behind politicians with respect to knowledge about itself. This is not merely annoying, it is dangerous. After all, it is far easier to deceive that kind of public, and if politicians collude they will be able simply to manipulate it. Of course, at present there is no question of citizens being out of touch with real political life on the scale typical of the decades when the VKP(b) [All-Union Communist Party (bolsheviks)} and the CPSU ruled. But the trend is heading in this direction, and furthermore it is doing so without any of the official censorship that was so effective even 10 years ago. We could place our hopes in the fact that this trend is developing slowly, since our politicians are sull poorly versed in professional wiles, and, according to my observations, it is proving very difficult to teach them these wiles. However, it would be more sensible to take measures to change this trend. In this connection there are already public initiatives directly aimed at protecting voters by supplying them via the mass media with good-quality analysis about the recent and upcoming elections. As yet there are many problems in dealing with election themes. It is difficult to obtain official statistics on the elections, especially breakdowns for cities and rayons (we should be grateful they have been published even in general terms — even this did not happen before 1995). In Western countries the broad publication of results is regarded as an important yardstick of the democratic nature and honesty of the campaign itself and of respect for citizens’ rights to know whatever they like about the country’s political life, rather than whatever the “grown- ups” choose to tell them. For instance, in the United States information about the results of the presidentia! elections broken down by county (counties are the U.S. counterpart of our rayons — there are over 3,000 of them) are published in popular handbooks with a print run of millions just three or four months after the elections themselves. While the situation is bad with regard to state statistics, it is even worse with regard to state analysis. Voters learn only of the direct results of the elecuuons — which parties and which politicians received how many votes or seats in parliament, how the spectrum of political representation in the echelons of power has shifted. However, election results contain a tremendous wealth of material for self-knowledge on the part of society that is in a different league from any opinion poll, and each new election makes it possible to judge changes in our society, down to the fine details: consequently. this also makes 1 possible to yudge our immediate future This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 28 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS By way of a brief illustration I will cite two lessons of the last campaign. It demonstrated, first, that Moscow and St. Petersburg have suddenly spurted abruptly ahead of other capital cities in terms of the degree of support for reformist parties. Yet even in the 1993 elections (and especially in the voting on the new constitution) all capital cities headed by the two national capitals had voted in a very similar way; at least the differences between them were far smaller than the general difference between them and other cities and especially rural areas, which stood out sharply for their conservatism. This contrast reflected an old property of Russian society's territorial structure: The country’s major cities live largely by virtue of links with one another, and their links with the adjoining territory are far less significant. Because of this all the main innovations have spread quite swiftly across the country, but have settled in the capital cities; their arrival in the boondocks has been greatly delayed. Three levels gradually emerged: the capital, “other cities.” and the countryside. These levels have been reproduced with astonishing uniformity in each Federation component. And let alone each Federation components, in almost every administrative region! This gives grounds for asserting that in Russia “vertical” contrasts (between capitals, other cities, and rural areas) are greater than “horizontal” contrasts, that is, between regions themselves. Moreover, calculations show over and over again that even horizontal differences in po- litical life are determined largely by vertical differences — the correlation between the three aforementioned lay- ers in the region in question. The higher the proportion represented by the capital or by the urban population in general, the greater the support for reform forces; the higher the proportion represented by the countryside, the more conservative political sentiments are. But now the harmony of this system is beginning to crumble. Moscow and St. Petersburg have increased their support for reformers, and in other capitals it has clearly weakened. You get the impression that the in- fluence of all-national capitals on regional capitals has weakened, while the latter are increasingly under the influence of their surrounding territories. In the short term this complicates the position of reformers, since the “urban harvest” of votes in support of them declines. Admittedly, in the medium term this trend looks posi- tive. In itself it is a good thing that links between the regional capital and the region are strengthening, and it is still more gratifying that these capitals will be able to serve the “boondocks” as a more effective conduit for innovations from the national capitals. where these mnovations usually arise FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 One way or another, the appearance of this trend in our society's territorial structure deserves the closest attention not only from geographers but also from political scientists and “practicing” politicians. After all, it will have to be carefully taken into account when formulating the regional strategy for political campaigns. Another important new element is disillusionment with the strength of regional elites. Over the last one and a half or two years the theme of regional elites was almost the most fashionable in political science debates, and this did much to contribute to the fact that tremendous importance began to be attached to the influence of these elites. Of course, this was not just a matter of fashion as such. Its roots lay in the sharp strengthening of regional governors and presidents after the rout of the soviets. Many of them amassed power in their region such as former obkom [party oblast committee) secretaries never dreamed of, and almost everywhere they were backed up by an elite rallied around the governor. This went far beyond the bounds of functionaries and included not only the region's chief economic managers, but also popular journalists and influential cultural figures. To be fair, it should be admitted that most governors proved extremely effective leaders — at least so far as the period usually known as transitional is concerned. It is not for nothing that these governors enjoy such great influence in Moscow, in federal institutions. Moreover, it has become customary to believe that the effectiveness of Moscow's political actions depends on whether they succeed in gaining support among the regional elites and that the strength of specific politicians on the national level is measured primarily by the strength of their links with the regional elites. The recent elections ruthlessly highlighted the political weakness of almost all regional elites. The very structure, their ways of coordinating interests, and, most importantly, their mechanisms for contact with citizens proved to be clearly outdated. They tend to ape the obkom way of ruling, which may do the trick in “quiet years between clections, but emphatically breaks down during elections. The weakest point has been the regional elites’ link with the “masses.” Ahead of the elections, especially over the year leading up to them, there was no shortage of resolute statements by regional leaders that they were confidently in control of the political situation in the region, and, so to speak, would casily secure the requisite result in the voung. The elections have graphically demonstrated that in reality these elites’ ability to influence voters ts depressingly small. While in This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Western countries where democracy is old-established local elites always have special organizations in order to secure themselves mass support, our elites have apparently not matured sufficiently for this and rely more on old-style interpersonal links among the “upper echelon.” Regional elites have paid the price for the fact that the overwhelming majority of their leaders eschew painstaking political donkeywork. I have often heard one governor or another say with unconcealed pride: “Boris Nikolayevich, | am not a politician, | am an economic manager, the most important thing for me is to ensure that people have clothes to wear, shoes on their feet, and food to eat — politics is not for me.” One colleague of mine remarked sorrowfully that if you assembled the Russian governors with professional political flair such as B. Nemtsov or E. Rossel, there would not be enough of them for an ordinary game of whist. In this :cspect the governors are a long way behind the heads of our republics, who from their very first steps »ave had to resolve purely political tasks, and the overwhelming majority of them have been extremely successful in this. I need only cite the example of M. Shaymiyev to show that today the political caliber of the republic presidents is far higher than the caliber of the overwhelming majority of Russian governors. When these governors complain that their colleagues from the republics have greater powers and are steadily expanding them, they forget that the republican leaders get their own way through tireless labor in the purely political field, whereas these governors continue to pride themselves on being economic managers rather than politicians. | would very much like to ask them: Are you entitled to expect to succeed in “external” relations with the Federation if, as the elections demonstrated, you are incapable of organizing political support for yourselves in “internal” political life? Indeed, some of the heads of oblast elites simply failed in the gubernatorial elections, although they themselves had frantically sought the president's permission to hold these elections. being confident that the outcome would be in their favor. These failures were the most vivid proof that the real political strength of regional elites is far more modest ‘San was customarily thought even six months ago. Both these problems — the restructuring of the terri- torial structure of society and the fate of the regional elites — have been touched on here merely as illus- trations of how many lessons can be learned from the election results. Each of these topics deserves to be ad- dressed separately in a special article. It 1s precisely such RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 29 articles — or, to be more accurate, a series of articles — that readers of ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI are being of- fered by a small collective of political geographers who have made a most careful analysis of the election re- sults making use of the local press, meetings with re- gional leaders and analysts, and cartographic materials broken down not merely by Federation component but also by administrative region and oblast-level cities. We are hoping not to discuss the elecuon results in an aca- demic tone, so to speak — in a strictly ordered “inven- iory” (turnout, level of support for the various parties, and so forth) — but to concentrate on a few problems that we think are focal. As preliminary analysis has shown, there are almost 10 of these problems. We will begin with the burning problem of the “underrepresentation” of the regions. After all, the four blocs that reached the S-percent barrier together mustered, as is well known, only a little over half the votes that were c st, and therefore almost half the votes cast for party lists were not represented in the Duma. That is on average. In certain regions this underrepresentation was much greater. Then we intend to discuss the scope of the changes in the distribution of seats among blocs and parties in the new Duma in comparison with the old one. Then it will be the turn of in-depth analysis of the problem already touched upon earlier — the problem of political differences in the “capital — city — countryside” area. We are intending to make a fresh analysis, on a strict Statistical basis, of a popular theme in political science literature — how a region's socioeconomic conditions influence citizens’ political behavior. We will also discuss turnout to the elections — but not so much in itself as in its Capacity as an indicator of more essential phenomena. The theme of the elections in the republics (in contrast to the elections in oblasts and krays) deserves separate attention; is there anything special here, or is this just another myth in the public political mind? Extremely interesting conclusions can be drawn from a comparison of the voting in a single-seat district on the federal list and for specific candidates; there are many sharp anomalies here that reveal numerous nuances of great importance to the practical organization of campaigns in the region in question. Finally, we will discuss the fate of specific parties in specific regions and reveal their regional strongholds or areas of total failure. Against this backdrop particular emphasis will be placed on the fate of the “Russia Is Our Home” bloc We hope that two articles from this senes will appear each week in ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI. Since the prepa- ration of the senes is being coordinated by a member of the Presidential Council. it can be regarded as evi- dence of the ‘presidential team's” desire to inform the This report may contain copyrighted maternal Copying and dissemination is protabited without permission of the copyreht owners x” RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS public about political life in the country. At the same time the specific authors cannot be identified with spe- cific federal structures, and those structures bear no di- rect responsibility for the articles. This means that these articles cannot be regarded as the federal authorities’ official opimon. Russia: Yeltsin Proposes Amendments to Code of Criminal Procedure LD2903213996 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 2006 GMT 29 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (Itar- Tass) — President Boris Yeltsin has motioned amend- ments to the Russian Code of Criminal procedure in a letter to State Duma speaker Gennadiy Seleznev. The letter is his summary on the Duma’s draft law stipulating amendments to the code. The presidential press service reported on Friday [29 March] that Yeltsin proposed that the parliament's scrutiny concentrate on the code’s articles concerning the duration of detention. The presidential amendments would provide that deten- tion duration be reckoned from the moment of taking the person into custody or, if the person is not in cus- tody, from the moment when the prosecutor or court orders this. If passed, the presidential amendments would also require court orders for the arrest, custody and detention, limiting detention without the court orders to 48 hours. Russia: Daily’s Chief Editor Appointed to Presidential Staff Post MM0104115796 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI Saturday Edition in Russian 30 Mar 96 p 3 {(Unattnibuted report: “New Chief of Russian Federation Presidential Staff Information Administration” } {(FBIS Translated Text} ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI Chief Editor Valeriy Kucher has been appointed chief of the Russian Federation Presidential Staff Information Administration. Our Note The Russian Federation Presidential Staff Information Administration, following a reorganization, is part of the Main Administration for Program Analysis. The administration has three departments, employing 31 people. While being appointed chief of the Information Administration, Valeriy Kucher will remain chief editor of ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI. The administration was formerly headed by Sergey Nosovets. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Valeriy Kucher has worked for the press for more than 25 years. He started on an in-house news sheet at the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine, was a correspon- dent with a Chelyabinsk Oblast newspaper, and was chief editor of the newspaper MAGNITOGORSKIY RABOCHIY, succeeding in turning an obedient organ of the city committee into a popular and independent democratic publication. Valeriy Kucher was elected a deputy to the USSR Supreme Soviet, worked on the Supreme Soviet Leg- islatior Committee, and was part of the Interregional Group of deputies. In 1990 he was appointed by Rus- sian Federation Government decree chief editor of ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI — one of the first publica- tions in the new democratic Russia to be set up in the teeth cf opposition from Union and party struc- tures. ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI has now become one of the most influential federal dailies in the country. In 1995 Valeriy Kucher was a prizewinner at the all-Russia contest for good journalism for “having created a demo- cratic semiofficial publication.” Russia: Zyuganov Promises Communist Support for Integration LD2903162096 Moscow Mayak Radio Network in Russian 1310 GMT 29 Mar 96 {[FBIS Translated Text] Gennadiy Zuyganov, the leader of the CPRF [Communist Party of the Russian Federa- tion}, today held a news conference at the State Duma. It was devoted to his recent tnp to Altay Territory. Nat- urally, Gennadiy Zyuganov did not want to miss the opportunity to comment on the key issues of Russia's life. [begin Zyuganov recording] We will not only support everything related to integration and everything that can speed up this process, but we will be working out a legal base for it. We are very pleased that just two weeks after the State Duma adopted the Belovezhskaya resolution and restored the will of the people, expressed five years ago at a referendum, Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin ts signing such important documents. We encourage this. It would be better still if this signing was done without all that rumpus created by the media and without certain demarches. Regarding our fac" on’s position and that of our allies, I am confident th. the documents aimed at integration will not just be supported by us but will be speedily ratified by the State Duma, out of turn. We invite other presently sovereign and independent republics and states to broaden the integration. We hope that this example will provide a good landmark for other parliaments, supreme soviets, and bodies of executive power in the This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 republics which have emerged on the state territory of the Soviet Union. We support only peaceful solutions to the problems, and if you open the booklet outlining my election platform, one of its first provisions says that we are for peace and against civil war. We advocate honest, diligemt work and are opposed to parasites. Yes, we are also in favor of democracy. However, our idea of democracy is the power of the people represented by bodies elected by the people. [end recording} Russia: Communists Want Vice President Post Instituted LD2903175696 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1620 GMT 29 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (Inter- fax) — The Communists plan to propose instituting a post of vice president in Russia, Communist Party leader Gennadiy Zyuganov said on Friday. He argued at a news conference that such a post, for which the present constitution makes no provision, was essential “for the stability of the executive branch and additional control over presidential structures.” Zyuganov, one of the candidates for the post of pres- ident, said the post could be filled by Amangeldy Tuleyev, today chairman of Kemerovo Region's legis- lature, if the Communists won the June 16 presidential election. But he suggested Yeltsin might “himself take the initiative and propose that such a post be introduced...It seems there already are candidates for such a position in his team.” As other members of today’s “shadow cabinet” Zyuganov named Svetlana Goryacheva and Sergey Baburin, deputy speakers of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, Viktor Ilyukhin, chairman of the Duma Security Committee, and lawyer Yuriy Ivanov, an Agrarian deputy in the lower house. Two leftist politicians, Agrarian Union leader Vasiliy Starodubtsev and Agrarian Party leader Mikhail Lapshin, could be put in charge of agriculture in a future government. Russia: Miners Meet With Zyuganov; Zhirinovskiy Fails To Appear MK3003144196 Moscow NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA in Russian 30 Mar 96 p2 [Report by Yuriy Nevezhin: "Miners Have New Visi- tor”] [FBIS Translated Text] Miners had a meeting yes- terday [place not given] with Gennadiy Andreyevich RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS R) Zyuganov, the only registered Russian presidential can- didate at the moment. Starting with his biography. Gen- nadiy Zyuganov quickly eased into a language of po- litical statements and said straight from the shoulder: “The ovjective of reforms has been long and deliber- aiely concealed and it is becoming intelligible now: the destruction of the Russian state as a rival in the world economy.” The CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) leader thinks the country is on the brink of an abyss, an opinion shared by experts who have drawn up a corresponding report entitled “The Limits of Decline” {Predely padeniya]. Dwelling on national priorities, Gennadiy Zyuganov firmly stated that the state should have a tight rein on the economy and support key sectors. Ridiculing the “month-long campaign” to pay wages currently conducted by the presidential staff, he attributed such actions to the absence of a well- considered program in the government, which is in no position to have its own decisions implemented. “We have such a platform, and it can be understood by both an academician and a three-year-old child,” the presidential candidate stated. Criticizing the current president in a reserved but tough manner, the CPRF leader said that Boris Nikolayevich {Yeltsin} ought to account for what the country has been reduced to during his time at the helm, and only after that give fresh promises. In Gennadiy Zyuganov's words, the president has not spoken a single time on matters that concern the whole nation. According to the leader of the Communists, the only way to achieve social accord in the country is not to throw out the history of the USSR and to create a coalition government of popular trust. Gennadiy Zyuganov did not name the prospects for his “shadow cabinet,” only mentioning such names as Svetlana Goryacheva, Viadimir Isakov, Vasiliy Starodubtsev, Eduard Baltin, and Viktor Anpilov. The latter, whether in jest of in earnest, was described as a man who “is asking to be in control of television.” Dismissing accusations of laying too much stress on ideology, Gennadiy Zyuganov \ iced the view that chances for social democracy in a hungry country are mil, and that “communist” means only “public” in Russian. The Communist leader warned that the elections should be held by all means. although they could be rigged using an automatic vote-counting system that allows the results to be modified with the help of a controlling influence from a satellite. Gennadiy Zyuganov expects to counter such a possibility through the mandatory counting of the votes by hand and immediate publication This report may contain copynghted maternal Copying and dissemination ts prohibtted without permission of the copynght owners 32 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS of the results on a polling-station-by-polling-station basis. This was already tested in Bryansk Oblast, and CPRF observers, Zyuganov contends, completed the work ahead of the electoral commission. On 29 March, Viadimir Zhirinovskiy decided to answer 10 questions for presidential candidates compiled by activists of the “Miners of Russia” public and politi- cal association and Rosugleprofsoyuz (Russian Trade Union of Mining Industry Workers). The LDPR [Liberal Democratic Party of Russia) leader could not make it to the venue at the appointed time, and instead of Vladimir Volfovich [Zhirinovskiy], a 12-seat bus arrived at the last minute. The bus could not replace Viadimir Vol- fovich, and those assembled refused to put 30 represen- tatives of mining regions on it to get them to the State Duma for a meeting with the party leader. The miffed coal miners spoke in the corridors to the effect that it is not they who need Zhirinovskiy, but it is Zhirinovskiy who needs them ahead of the elections, and that henceforth they will not seek meetings with him. Thus wound up a series of miners’ meetings with the leaders of parties and public figures, possible candidates for the Russian presidency. Having told those seeking the attention of the electorate in mining regions of the problems of the coal mining sector and having sized up the contenders themselves, the leaders of the Russian Trade Union of Mining Industry Workers left for their homes. Judging by the moods of those taking part in the meetings, they most liked Gennadiy Zyuganov: Having thoroughly prepared for the discussions, he displayed an understanding of mining and reeled off statistics. But the trade union's leadership does not seem to have lost hope yet of getting something from the government and Yeltsin. Rosugieprofsoyuz will make its final decision during a congress on 24 to 25 April, which Boris Yeltsin might attend. Leaders of the trade union stress that, whereas the political stance of their organization will be quite definite, it is only a recommendation as far as members of the trade union are concerned. Media Issues Russia: Commission Approves Electioneering in State-Run Media LD2903195996 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1902 GMT 29 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (Inter- fax) — The Russian Central Electoral Commission to- day approved on the whole an instruction to provide air FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 time and press coverage for presidential hopefuls, elec- toral organizations and presidential action committees in the state-run media. Every presidential hopeful has the right to free air time on channels of Russian national and regional state-run television and radio companies, a member of the Central Electoral Commission, Raif Biktagirov, said at the commission's session. However, electoral organizations and presidential action committees will have to pay for time on the air, he said. Presidential nominees will have free air time during the period from May 14 until June 14, Biktagirov said. The total amount of free air time provided to nominees by Russian national state-run TV and radio companies daily on working days must be 10 minutes of air time between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 10 minutes between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., he said. Presidential hopefuls, electoral organizations and pres- idential action committees will have to pay for their election campaigns in the press. Electioneering in pe- riodical publications will last from April 29 unt! June 14, Biktagirov said. Military Issues Russia: Yeltsin Addresses Internal Troops Parade LD3003145296 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1200 GMT 30 Mar 96 [Video report by Aleksandr Onosovskiy; from the “Novosti” newscast} (FBIS Translated Text] President of Russia Boris Yeltsin is today taking part in the celebrations on the occasion of the 7Sth anniversary of the internal troops of the Ministry of Interior. A special arm of the forces, the internal guards, was set up in 1811 by a decree of Tsar Aleksandr I. Under the decree, the guards were to protect peace and quiet in the state. Since then, many remarkable pages have been written in the troops’ history. Their main task remains the same: protection of the state's internal security. {begin Yeltsin recording addressing the parade} Today. a considerable proportion of the internal troops of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs are serving and carrying out military tasks on the territory of the Chechen republic. They are fighting guerrillas and restoring constitutional order in this part of the Russian Federation. Thanks to their efforts, this land is returning to a peaceful and anormal life for the benefit of the Chechen population, for the benefit of all people of This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Russia and for the benefit of the Russian state. [end recording] Over 4,000 of the internal troops servicemen were decorated with orders and medals for their courage and bravery — five became Heroes of Russia. The Russian president congratulated the soldiers and officers on their new holiday — the Day of the Russian Internal Troops. Russia: Internal Troops Commander Shkirko Profiled MM0104105796 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI Saturday Edition in Russian 30 Mar 96 p8 (Unattributed report: "ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI Dossier” } (FBIS Translated Text) Anatoliy Afanasyevich Shkirko. Russian Federation deputy minister of internal affairs, commander of the Russian Federation MVD [Ministry of Internal Affairs} Internal Troops. lieutenant general. Born in Groznyy 13 September 1947. In 1965, af- ter graduating from secondary school, entered the Or- dzhonikidze Internal Troops Military College, from where he graduated in 1968. Served with the troops as platoon commander, regimental Komsomol committee secretary, and regimental assistant chief of staff. In 1972 was sent to study at the M.V. Frunze Military Academy, from where he graduated with honors. Then served with the troops in command and staff posts. Successfully commanded a regiment for four years, for which he was awarded the Order “For Service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces” 3d Class. Divisional commander for two years. Became major general at age 43. After graduating from the General Staff Military Acad- emy in 1991, was appointed chief of the Internal Troops for West Siberia. From October 1992 served in leading posts at the Internal Troops Commander's Main Direc- torate — as chief of headquarters operational command and control, first deputy chief of staff, deputy com- mander, and then chief of staff of the Internal Troops and first deputy commander. Since December 1995 he has been Russian deputy minister of internal affairs and commander of the Russian MVD Internal Troops. He was appointed by edict of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Anatoliy Shkirko has repeatedly accomphshed missions in state-of-emergency areas. In October-December 1995 he headed the Operational Group of Federal Forces on Chechen Republic territory. He led the troops’ opera- tions skillfully, displaying personal valor and selfless- ness, for which he was awarded a presentation weapon and the Order of Valor RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS He is married and, the general himself claims, very happy. “We married for love,” he stressed, “and Lyud- mila has shared all the burdens of military lite with me for 23 years now, without reproaching me for anything. His daughter Irina is studying at teacher training college. Anatoliy Shkirko loves fishing in the summer, but only “float fishing.” He has simple tastes in lifestyle and food. The human qualities he values most are reliability and professionalism. Russia: Statistics on Armed Forces, Other Troops’ Manning Cited MM2903145496 Moscow PRAVDA in Russian 29 Mar 9% p3 {Roundup by Aleksandr Kondrashov under the general heading “Statistics...in the Military”] [FBIS Translated Text} How Many Military Men in the Country? The largest number of people in uniform are to be found in the Armed Forces — it has 1.7 million. Around 75,000 of them are now in the airborne troops — the most combat-capable troops; 175,000 are in combat aviation, and 270,000 are in the Navy. There are almost as many servicemen in the other troops as there are in the Army and Navy. For example, there are over 200,000 border troops and 264,000 in the MVD [Ministry of Internal Affairs] internal troops. There are also people in uniform in the Railroad Troops, the civil defense troops, the Federal Security Service [FSB], the Main Protection Directorate, the Federal Government Communications and Information Agency, and the MVD Sate Fire Service. There are too many to list here. Military Reform Faitering The Russian Armed Forces budget cannot afford protes- sionals at the moment. According to the prescribed man- ning level in the Russian Federation Armed Forces there should be on average one officer for every four fixed- term soldiers. In the high-technology troops, for ex- ample the Strategic Missile Troops, the Military Space Forces, and the Air Force, there should be one officer for every two soldiers. Unfortunately, the experiment with contract servicemen failed. Because of the shortage of money the defense minister issued a directive which reduced their number by one-third at the beginning of 1996. For example, the Ground Troops are supposed to discharge 80,000 This report may contain copyrighted material Copying and dissernination ts prohibited without permissien of the copyright owners M RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS volunteer soldiers. After all, one contract serviceman costs as much to maintain as six fixed-service men. Not Only Russians are Defending Russia There are over 100 nationalities and ethnic groups in the Russian Armed Forces. The figures are: Russians — 79.7 percent, Ukrainians — 11.7 percent, Belarusians — (73.8) percent, Tatars — 0.44 percent, and Armenians — 0.4 percent. Shortage of Young Officers in 1995 the shortage of officers in the Russian Army posed a threat to the troops’ combat readiness. In 1992- 1994 alone 1,018 generals and 115,900 senior officers left its ranks. But the Army is suffering a particularly acute shortage of licutenants and captains. After all. the primary officer posts of platoon and battery commander account for over 38 percent of the total shortage of officers. This is because almost as many young officers as lieutenants with military school education are now leaving the Army. Volunteers on the Border To help the border troops in protecting the state border 499 people's volunteer detachments have been formed, comprising over 5,000 volunteers from among citizens of the Russian Federation. Eventually they could de- velop into a border guard. Russia: Officers Dismissed After Draftee Dies of Malnutrition MM2903135596 Moscow TRUD-7 in Russian 29 Mar-4 Apr 96 p 1 {Unattributed report: "Hot News: Soldier Dies of Hunger” ] {FBIS Translated Text} A soldier from a kar East Mili- tary District unit has died “of acute cardiac insufficiency and low body mass,” as the medical findings say, or, to put it more simply, from emaciation. It is known that Private Mikhail Kubarskiy, who was drafied into the Army last fail from Yaroslavl, weighed just over 42 kg at a height of 180 cm. The District Military Council has instituted rigorous proceedings against the culprits. ITAR-TASS was told by Sergey Vasilyev, head of the district's press service, that the commander of the dead man’s regiment has been fired along with the commanders of the regiment and division medical services. the commander of the regiment's food service. and the deputy commander for rear services. A number of officials have received strict repmmands. The Military Prosecutor's Office is FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 investigating a criminal case in connection with the private’s death. The Military Council decree has been conveyed to the leadership of the district's large formations and units. Other underweight young draftees have been found. Regrettably, unit commanders explain that severe underfunding and the highly acute food shortage provide no guarantee that there will be no repetition of such tragedies. Federal Assembly Russia: Duma ‘Experts’ Drafting Document To Restore Warsaw Pact LD0104053296 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0453 GMT I Apr 96 {By Aleksandr Nechayev] {[FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, April 1 (ITAR- TASS) — Russia seems to have found a secret weapon which would ruin NATO plans of eastward expansion. A group of State Duma experts is drafting a document which restores the former Warsaw Treaty military pact of ex-Soviet allies in Eastern Europe. One of the experts working with the one-page document told Tass on Monday that “as it is impossible to talk NATO into dropping the expansion plans, it is time to switch to concrete action”. He said the decision to restore the Warsaw Treaty would not be binding, but would erect a legal barrier for the planned NATO expansion to the Russian borders. As leftist leaders came to office in many East European countries, such an idea “can be accepted there with understanding”, the expert said. He also stressed that the collapse of the Warsaw Treaty and the preservation of NATO, which now plans to expand, “is an historic injustice” which has not been yet comprehended in the West. He played down fears that the restoration of the War- saw Treaty would trigger tensions in Russian-European relations, saying the process would “develop evolution- ary and peacefully”, but at the same time would calm down the “hot heads” in the North Atlantic alliance. Russia: Communist Duma Committee Chief Criticizes Yeltsin Plan LDO104121696 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1022 GMT 1 Apr 96 [FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW. April | (INTER- FAX) — Head of the Duma Security Committee Viktor This report may contam copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemmmation ts prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Ityukhin of the Communist faction sees nothing funda- mentally new in the Chechen peace plan put forward by the Russian president. “The first impression is that we have had it all, all those methods have either been tried out or spoken of,” Ilyukhin told Interfax Monday. The committee chairman recalled that talks with sep- aratist leader Dzhokhar Dudayev were conducted by Minister for Nationalities Vyacheslav Mikhailov and former commander of federal troops Anatoly Romanov, while the issue of amnesty was raised twice. Ilyukhin said he is not against amnesty in general, but “everything must be carefully thought over before making a decision.” On individual aspects of the plan the politician said that even though the discussion of a special status for Chechnya can damage Russia's territorial integrity, “it probably must be used.” “But if we say we have to sit down at the negotiating table with Dudayev, with whom do we intend to ne- gotiate the status of Chechnya,” Ilyukhin wondered. He said Dudayev’'s presidential term had expired, therefore talks on the future status with him will be hardly legal. If talks are held with someone else, Dudayev can say he was again left out, Ilyukhin forecast. He feared the peace plan could give Dudayev another chance to regroup his supporters. Ilyukhin doubted the ability of the current leadership to settle the crisis at all because “there are too many contradictions and too much blood between Yeltsin and Dudayev.” Russia: Federation Council Chairman Supports Yeltsin Chechnya Plan L.D0104095696 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0926 GMT I Apr 96 {By Lyudmila Yermakova] {[FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, April 1 (ITAR- TASS) — Chairman of the Federation Council upper house of parliament Yegor Stroyev told journalists today that in his view Yeltsin's plan for terminating warfare in Chechnya was “the first realistic and substantial step towards discontinuation of a war which the people do not need.” “I support this step and favour a peaceful approach which may be difficult like walking on thin ice but it is necessary to proceed and find political ways of pulling out of the situation.” Stroyev said in his comment on the President's plan made public on Sunday. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Russia: Federation Council Sets Measures on Relations With CIS LD2903130296 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1149 GMT 28 Mar 96 {By Lyudmila Yermakova] (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, March 29 (ITAR- TASS) — A set of measures designed to keep Russian law-makers on track in implementing the presideniial strategy of relations with CIS member-countries has been worked out by The Federation Council upper house's committee for CIS affairs. Committee chairman Oleg Bogomolov told Itar-Tass that the strategy approved by the President of the Russian Federation was “based on priority given to relations with Commonwealth member-states for the purpose of attaining the country’s main political aim in the region — the creation of an integrated alliance of sovereign countries capable of filling a worthy niche in the world community.” The set of measures includes ratification of agreements with Commonwealth member-countries in the field of economic activity, environmental protection, struggle against crime, and the social and humanitarian policy. This year, the Federal Assembly (parliament) will consider around one hundred such agreements signed by different bodies of the executive power. The Russian parliament is due to consider one of these days the ratification of the most important agreement on mutual recognition of property rights and the regulation of property relations. Work on “model” legislatiun is going on within the framework of the CIS interparliamentary assembly, which has already approved the model Civil, Criminal and Criminal Procedural Codes. The lawmakers are now busy preparing legal enactments on crossborder and customs cooperation, financial and industrial groups, economic security, and stock compa- nies. Changes have been prepared to the law on refugees, and parliamentary hearings will soon be held on legislative policy in the field of forced emigration. According to parliamentarians, “there can be no national laws per se. all of them should be scrutinised through a CIS prism. which can help establish a single legal space of the Commonwealth of Independent States.” This report may contain copyrighted maternal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Regional Affairs Russia: Aushev Opposes Russian Troop Deployment in Ingushetia LD2903174696 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1620 GMT 29 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text] NAZRAN, March 29 (INTER- FAX) — President of Ingushetia Ruslan Aushev told Interfax Friday that he was against the possible rede- picyment of Russian federal troops from Chechnya to his Republic. The withdrawal of troops from Chechnya to the areas of their permanent deployment will begin after the Russian president unveils the heretofore secret Chechen peace plan, a representative of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff told Interfax earlier. Federal troop units are expected to be provisionally deployed in the internal Russian republics of Ingushetia and Dagestan, which have a common border with Chechnya, the source said. Given that Ingushetia is now home to about 100,000 Chechen refugees and does not have the necessary infrastructure, the deployment of troops in Ingushetia is impossible even for a few months, Aushev said. If such plans are implemented, “there will be a danger of involving Ingushetia in combat actions,” Aushev said. Aushev also said he feared “possible provocations and looting by Russian military servicemen.” Russia: Vologda Administration Head Temporarily Suspended MM2903144596 Moscow PRAVDA-S in Russian 29 Mar-S Apr 96 p 5 (Unattributed report: "Stop Press") (FBIS Translated Text} Boris Yeltsin has issued an edict temporarily suspending from his duties Vologda Oblast Administration head Nikolay Podgornov, in respect of whom the General Prosecutor's Office is investigating a criminal case under Article 170 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code (misuse of power or official position). Russia: Krasnoyarsk Defense Complex Stops Work for Want of Funds LDO104 130496 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1149 GMT | Apr 96 {By Yuriy Khots] {[FBIS Transcribed Text) KRASNOYARSK April | (ITAR-TASS) — A major defence complex in Kras- noyarsk territory Krasmashzavod haulted its production lines on April |. Some 8.000 workers of the plant were FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 sent on enforced leave until May 19 with only one third of their average wages paid out. The delay of payment for the 1995 state order from the Russian Defence Ministry caused lack of circulating assets needed to continue the production, to pay for the electric supply and salaries. Russia: Livshits: Salary Debt Payment Plan to Regions ‘Fulfilled’ LD2903124696 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1022 GMT 29 Mar 96 {FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (IN- TERFAX) — The presidential plan of financial support to budget-financed enterprises and organizations in Rus- sian regions has been fulfilled, presidential economic aide Aleksandr Livshits said Friday. Under the plan of payment of salary debts, children’s and social allowances, money has been transferred to another 12 Russian regions, namely: 345.7 billion rubles to the Amur region; 193.4 billion rubles to the Irkutsk region; 115.0 billion rubles to the Krasnoyarsk territory; 78.7 billion rubles to the Nizhniy Novgorod region; 249.5 billion rubles to the Omsk region; 92.3 billion rubles to the Saratov region; 142.6 billion rubles to the Khabarovsk territory; 286.3 billion rubles to the Republic of Buryatia; 126.7 billion rubles to the Republic of Karelia; 223.1 billion rubles to the Republic of Komi; 324.5 billion rubles to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); 14.3 billion rubles to St. Petersburg. The results will be summed up by Yeltsin, said Livshits. New presidential programs are in the pipeline to focus on pensions, salaries in the nonbudget spheres and restored savings of citizens. Russia: Insolvent Vorkuta Seeks Bailout From Komi Republic MM0104085096 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 29 Mar 96 p2 [Report by Viktor Filippov: “Republic of Komi As- sumes Responsibility for the Upkeep of Vorkuta’] {FBIS Translated Text) Vorkuta — A session of the Vorkuta City Council has ratified the annual budget with a fantastic deficit of R1.1 tnllior [rubles]. Yuriy Spiridon, head of the Republic of Komi, has urgently sent a commission to Vorkuta to elaborate measures to save the city. This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 In previous times Vorkuta was a financial donor to the Republic of Komi. But now the moribund city is itself in need of serious financial injections. In the opinion of city soviet deputies, the commission should increase the share of taxes received by the city budget by reducing the share that the Republic takes for itself. For many people life in Vorkuta today is simply intolerable. Teachers and doctors have not been paid for three or four months. Parents send their young children to kindergartens with packed lunches — children’s institutions have no money to buy food for their canteens. In hospitals there is no thread even for sutures. The city is covered with litter — municipal workers are on strike, demanding their pay. The other day Aleksandr Segal, head of the Vorkuta Administration, sent a letter to President Boris Yeltsin requesting permission for the city to levy money for the city budget from the state support that the government will be giving to miners. The reason for this is that the city’s enterprises, especially the mines, owe the local budget more than R100 billion. And the hope of vol- untary payment of this debt is illusory, if only because the main consumers of Vorkuta coal — Cherepovets’s “Severstal” and the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Combine — are reducing their purchase of coal. The price of Vorkuta coal includes the cost of paying miners north- ern bonuses, as a consequence of which it is cheaper today to buy coal in Poland than in Vorkuta. And another alarming fact: Unemployment in the trans- polar city has passed the S-percent mark, and there is No money to pay unemployment benefit. Vorkuta enter- prises have contributed only R200 million to the em- ployment center instead of R2 billion. Russia: Altay Kray Elections Said Marked by Gerrymandering MM2903 144096 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI in Russian 29 Mar 96 pi {Article by Lyubov Volodina: “The ‘Slicing Up’ of Districts Plays Into the Opposition’s Hands” ] {[FBIS Translated Text} The elections to the new kray legislative assembly in Altay Kray are scheduled for Sunday 31 March. The Altay legislators could have postponed these elections to 1997, in accordance with the recommendation in the president's edict dated 17 September 1995, on the grounds that the “election burden” on 1996 is too heavy. However, deputies did not want to make use of this right. and adopted their own local law on the elections of the kray legislative assembly deputies and a decree ratifying the borders of the electoral districts. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 37 Whereas you could use arguments of a political- economic nature against scheduling the elections on time but you would find it difficult to criticize this from a legal point of view, the decree itself, which divides the territory into electoral districts, has generated a sharp reaction among the public. First and foremost on the part of organizations of a noncommunist hue, since they see the decree on “cutting up” the districts as a “one-sided game,” and specifically as a clear case of playing up to the agrarian-communist opposition, which continues to have a majority in the legislative assembly and intends to keep it in the upcoming elections. But how? As we know, the Russian Federation Constitution en- shrines equal electoral rights for citizens, irrespective of their sex, nationality, and so on, and this includes place of residence. The Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of the Electoral Rights of Russian Federation Citizens” de- termines that electoral districts should be approximately equal, and any deviation from the average representa- tion of voters cannot exceed 10 percent (and in remote localities vith difficult access — not more than 15 per- cent). But in Altay Kray the districts have turned out to be divided in such a way that the rural population has obtained an obvious advantage over the city dwellers. Whereas the representation norms have been exceeded in nine city districts (Barnaul) by 11-22 percent (and by 34 percent in Novoaltaysk), in 10 rural districts they have been reduced by more than 10 percent. With an average representation norm of 38,820 people, the dis- parity between individual city and rural districts thus reaches 8,000-10,000 or more voters. This means that the city inhabitants can choose fewer deputies, and the rural inhabitants more deputies, than is stipulated by law. By Altay law, incidentally, and not just federal law. The reasons being given to justify breaking the law have been known for a long time (the Altay inhabitants did not invent this nomenklatura method of fighting the electorate): the special features of the way the kray is divided administratively, the fact that it is more convenient for the work of the electoral commissions, and so on. However, everyone understands that the real underlying reason is quite different. It is political. In Russia the city and the country vote differently as a rule: In the country, conservative sentiments are stronger, the authorities’ influence on the electorate 1s greater because of the latter's dependence on them, and correspondingly the position of the communists and the agrarians is stronger. By artificially and, let us stress, illegally redistributing the electorate, the Altay legisiators are creating more advantageous conditions This report may contain copyrighted material, Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners As RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS at the elections for those who are in opposition to the authorities and the reforms. Neither the appeal from the “Rebirth of Altay” Public Bloc to the kray prosecutor's office (paradoxically enough, having acknowledged the violation of the rights of the voters, the prosecutor's office deemed them “insignificant,” despite the fact that they concern 22 districts out of 50), nor the decision of the Altay Kray court, which repealed the unlawful decision of the kray legislative assembly, has stopped the deputies. Instead of revising their own decision and bringing it into line with the law, the local legislators intend to protest the court ruling in the Russian Federation Supreme Court. and in the meantime to conduct the unlawfui elections. Knowing full well that the election results may be disputed at judicial level, and consequently that the 7- billion-plus rubles allocated for the election campaign (by no means spare money in the Altay budget) may be wasted. Legal nihilism, as we know, is not just politically dangerous, but also expensive. A situation in which laws are disregarded by the very people who make them is all the more alarming. All this recalls the times and psychology of the Congress of People’s Deputies, which believed that the implementation of the laws it adopted was binding on everyone but itself. The “Soviet” mentality, as we can see from the aforesaid, is not just alive — it is planning to multiply. Russia: Luzhkov Addresses Reelection Campaign Meeting MM0104094296 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI in Russian 29 Mar 96 pl {Report by Nadezhda Popova: “I Will Sort Things Out, Help People, Put Things Right.... Since Moscow Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov Has Promised This, That Means He Will Do It"} [FBIS Translated Text} Mayor Luzhkov is popular in Moscow (and indeed outside it). The very fact that people do not tell jokes about Luzhkov testifies to this. Yuriy Mikhaylovich is respected for many things, in particular for the fact that under Mayor Luzhkov Moscow has been becoming a better place by the hour. Yuriy Mikhaylovich was told this to his face when he arrived for a meeting with students and teachers at the Gubkin State Oil and Gas Academy. The students fondly call their institute “the oil stove.” In fact, that is what the mayor himself calls the academy — he too graduated from “the oil stove” in 1958. Yuriy Mikhaylovich has been mayor of Moscow since June 1992. And in June this year Luzhkov will again seck another term as mayor of Moscow. He visited his FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 former higher educational establishment in order to say why he has decided to do this. The hall in the academy was full. First of all Yuriy Mikhaylovich was given the floor, and then he was sim- ply bombarded with questions. All kinds of questions. Will a law on labor veterans be adopted? Why are the veterans’ stores closing down? Who canceled so many trains from Kazan station? As far as his stance is con- cerned, the mayor said the following: "I do not belong to any party, as you know. | am an active supporter of market transformations. I try to see Boris Nikolayevich not only in terms of his personality but also as a man who has undertaken to conduct a policy which is unavoidable for our state.” Subsequent questions were as follows. “In the neighborhood where the academy is located, several stores selling meat and vegetables have closed down, and other trade centers with crazy prices have opened up instead. Will you deal with this, Yuriy Mikhaylovich?” "I will deal with it,” the mayor answered. “The sand has not been changed for several years in the children’s playgrounds on Leninskyy Prospekt" — another remark from the audience. “We will change the sand,” the mayor assured them. "In our institute,” someone else in the audience com- plained (students from neighboring institutes were also present) “the heating has been turned off, Yuriy Mikhaylovich!” “I will kill the man who did that,” the mayor roared.... “What are we going to do about the beggars and vagrants who have taken over the whole of Moscow, esteemed mayor?” “We will get rid of them by summer,” Luzhkov promised, “after all, they are responsible for 30 percent of all the crime in Moscow.” “Will you be closing the fair in Luzhniki soon or not?” “We do not intend to close it, don’t worry,” the mayor said firmly. "And how long will we have to put up with cars being parked on the grass in our yards?” the audience persisted. “We will sort this out!” Yuriy Mikhaylovich answered How can we survive on 200.000 a month?” The mayor reflected This report may contain copynghted maternal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 This meeting went on for over two hours. Unfortunately, Yuriy Mikhaylovich was unable to answer all the questions. But he took some questions away with him. We know that Luzhkov is not only a man of his word, but also a man of action. And since he has said — I will sort this out, I will help people, I will put things right — then that means that he will! Economic Issues Russia: Soskovets Attacks Economy Ministry’s Performance MK3003083396 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 29 Mar 9% pl {Report by Aleksandr Bekker: “Soskovets-Eye View of the Economy Ministry. Industry Restructuring Begins With Shooting Down Reformers" ] {[FBIS Translated Text] Before presenting his report to yesterday's government session on industry restructur- ing, Oleg Soskovets said: “If we talk about manage- ment restructuring, we should start off with the Econ- omy Ministry.” According to eyewitnesses the state- ment on the subject by Deputy Economy Minister Ivan Materov was indeed not very successful. Premier Cher- nomyrdin’s comment was pointed: “The Economy Min- istry has failed to provide concrete proposals on restruc- turing.” Mr. Soskovets’ addition appeared quite differ- ent: “This is their basic instinct.” In other words, what- ever the ministry handles it botches up. Such an apparat “old hand” as Soskovets does not normally come out with off-the-cuff remarks. The first deputy premier leveled his charges at the moment when Minister Yasin and his first deputy Urinson were away. They were the only people who could have given a fitting response to Soskovets. To be sure, it is certainly not inappropriate for ministries to take a glimpse into the future of the Russian economy. But while the country’s economy is in transition, the subject of restructuring is rather academic. This is, to a certain degree, a UFO: New interdepartmental links have not consolidated yet; it is not clear which branches will come out on top and how they will relate to each other. The Economy Ministry can be accused of poor industrial restructuring to the same degree as Mr. Soskovets can be criticized for the fact that the financial- industnial groups that he supervises have not as yet become the motive force of the economy. “They have just been put together.” Oleg Nikolayevich [Soskovets] may counter, and he would be right. But then he should be reminded that no matter how the Economy Ministry tried last year, the Finance Ministry halved state subsidies. while nipping in the bud potentially effective restructuring projects. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 39 Japan adjusted its structural policy in the 1980s while al- ready having a stable economy. Some 680 multinational corporations account for 60 percent of the world’s in- vestments, but we have yet to live to see investments pouring in. After carefully reading Soskovets’ charges against the Economy Ministry, you begin to understand that the first deputy premier is pursuing a plot aimed at beheading the reform headquarters. There are some outstanding personalities in the Central Bank and the Finance Min- istry, but the actual generation of reform has been taken on by the entire “team” from Kalinin Avenue. Yasin, Vasilyev, Urinson, Ignatyev, Kossov, and Materov are referred to as “world class” specialists. The reasons Mr. Soskovets attacked the Economy Min- istry could also be pragmatic. The Economy Ministry fought to the last against state investments in 1996 being cut by 3.7 trillion rubles in favor of Chechnya, which out in the lobbies is referred to as Lobov’s and Soskovets’ “pork barrel.” The resistance was put down, but the first deputy premier is said to be malevolent. It is not ruled out that his attack is related to past and upcoming dis- cussions on the fate of the currency band, which se- riously cut into revenues of exporters overseen by the deputy premier. There is yet another theory why he decided to “shoot” at the Economy Ministry. Soskovets’ fiasco as chief of the presidential election campaign office forced Boris Yeltsin to put him on the “alternates bench.” There is a belief that not being fully confident about his boss's success, Mr. Soskovets is deliberately keeping a low profile. His January rhetoric about strategic mistakes in the reform course and his latest attack on the Economy Ministry should presumably show to the opposition that Mr. Soskovets is not going the same way as the liberals. Incidentally, the well-known economic program by Internal Affairs Minister Kulikov was presented to a government session that was chaired by Mr. Soskovets. That day the premier was away on a business trip. Russia: Soskovets Outlines Objectives for Industrial Policy LD3103090096 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0835 GMT 31 Mar 96 (By Oleg Velichko} {FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW March 31 (ITAR- TASS) — In the light of the limited nature of financial resources, the State “should pursue a differentiated in- dustrial policy in the coming years, thoroughly select- ing objectives for support.” Russia's First Vice-Premier Oleg Soskovets said on Sunday in an interview with leading Russian news agencies This report may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners 0 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Soskovets acknowledged that “at present we demon- strate an extremely low rate of the utilisation of World Bank-provided funds, which is the object of constant reproaches on the part of that organisation”. By now, he noted, Russia has signed 18 loan agreements with the Bank to an aggregate sum of 4,200 million U.S. dollars. As of the beginning of 1996, only 244 million USD, or 8.2 percent of the amount, has been used for investment projects. “This is a reserve for increasing the share of foreign investment in the innovation process,” he emphasised. The First Vice-Premier said that three sectors have taken shape in industry by now. These are a raw-materials sector, where it is essential to achieve its self-financing and ensure assistance from the State in consolidating its hold on the world market. The second sector comprises branches of industry, which turn out potentially competitive produts and which are in need of support to reach out to the wezid market (such as aircraft construction, space icseaich, nu- clear technologies, power engineering products, equip- ment for the fuc! anf power sector, high-tech types of medical equipment, laser technologies, etc.). The third sector (automobile construction, textile, light and food industries) is oriented towards the domestic market and is in need of protection from import. Soskovets believes that it is essential, at last, to deter- mine priorities in the development of science and tech- nology and dual-use technologies. Everything seems to indicate that the First Vice-Premier addressed this re- proach to the Ministry of Economics. Soskovets called for accelerating work on a draft Federal Law “On science and a State science and technology policy”. Russia: Davydov: UN Sanctions Against Libya Cost Russia $4 Billion LD2903180496 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1557 GMT 29 Mar 96 [By Irina Bolshova] {FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, March 29 (ITAR- TASS) — Russia's losses caused by four years of U.N. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 sanctions against Libya are estimated at four billion U.S. dollars, Russian Vice Premier Oleg Davydov told Itar- Tass on Friday. According to Davydov, the figure is made up of Libya's unpaid debt of over two billion dollars to Russia, and the losses entailed by the disruption of trade and the freezing of many joint cooperative facilities. The Russian vice-premier’s recent visit to Libya showed however that the two countries have good prospects for the restoration and development of their trade and economic ties after the sanctions are lifted. Russia: Minister Opposes Privatization of Railroads MK3003094196 Moscow NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA in Russian 30 Mar 96 pl {Report by Aleksandr Zhelenin: “Against Sale of Rail- roads"] [FBIS Translated Text] Minister of Railways Gennadiy Fadeyev told a press conference in Moscow yesterday that Viktor Chernomyrdin, acting on his proposal, put aside “for fine-tuning” a draft government decree under which Russia's railroads are to be privatized and put on a commercial basis. The minister thinks that implementation of this decree, which is part of the IMF's terms for providing a 10-million [dollar] credit, would lead to the total collapse of the country's railroads. report may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination 8 prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 International Affairs Ukraine: Shmarov, Grachev Agree on Transfer of Black Sea Fleet Ships LD2903181896 Kiev UT-1 Television Network in Ukrainian 1700 GMT 29 Mar 96 (FBIS Translated Text) Valeriy Shmarov and Pavel Grachev, defense ministers of Ukraine and Russia, have signed a number of documents on the outcome of the joint sitting of the boards of the ministries in Tysovets. In particular, they approved a plan for transferring Black Sea Fleet ships and vessels to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Russian Federation and a timetable for turning over Black Sea Fleet facilities, armaments, hardware, and property to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Five draft agreements have been signed, including in- tergovernmental agreements on the use of the Thread {Nytka] shuttle system testing ground, transferring ar- maments and military hardware of strategic missile complexes for their further use, and a procedure for transferring Ukraine's heavy bombers to the Russian Federation. It was decided to sum up the results of bilateral cooperation between the Defense ministries of Ukraine and Russia at a working meeting between the two ministries’ leaders in Moscow in October. Ukraine: Kuchma Comments on Black Sea Fleet, Yeltsin’s Visit LD2903190896 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1734 GMT 29 Mar 96 [From the "Presidential Bulletin” feature] {FBIS Transcribed Text} Ukraine's stance over the fate of the Black Sea Fleet “has remained unchanged, being, as before, consistent and predictable,” President Leonid Kuchma has declared in an interview with Interfax. He recalled that in Wednesday's telephone conversation with Boris Yeltsin preparation for a visit by the Russiaa president to Kiev had been discussed, and the visit had been scheduled for early April. “In a sincere and warm talk,” Kuchma said, the two leaders reiterated their desire to meet and sign a full-scale political treaty between Ukraine and Russia and some other accords. In that conversation, Yeltsin reaffirmed his intention to arrive in Kiev on April 4-5. Besides, according to Kuchma, “some unsettled ques- tions, the Black Sea Fieet problem included,” were dis- cussed with Yeltsin. The presidents agreed to ask their prime ministers and defense chiefs to adopt necessary decisions before the visit. Kuchma said, adding that on the whole a smooth working process is under way from both sides. UKRAINE 41 IF Note: Touching upon the Black Sea Fleet, discussed with Kuchma by telephone, Yeltsin remarked in an interview Thursday evening” “We do not change our positions” on the Black Sea Fleet. “They are the same as they were in Sochi and in Moscow. Yet, Ukraine wants to change its position. That's improper.” Asked if Yeltsin's visit to Ukraine may be postponed, Kuchma said that “the main thing is to prevent the opponents of equal mutually advantageous Ukrainian- Russian relations from using the smooth negotiating process for aggravating the situation and heating up political passions.” Such a turn of events “would run counter to the interests of our independent states, Ukrainian and Russian peoples,” Kuchma stressed. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Yevhen Marchuk has told journalists that he does not rule out an early meeting with his Russian counterpart Viktor Chernomyrdin to put the final touches to the Black Sea Fleet division accords. According to Marchuk, such a contact may take place at the end of the current talks between the Ukrainian and Russian Defense Ministers at Tysovets, Carpathia, and after the session of the joint working group in Moscow, chaired by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Vasiliy Durdints [name as received] and his Russian opposite number Aleksey Bolshakov. The working group in Moscow, comprising three sub- groups, is ending work on the earlier drafted documents, Marchuk explained, singling out among these papers, a draft on the status of Sevastopol and on conditions for a Russian naval base in Ukraine, on the size of this base and on the principles of mutual account, connected with funding the fleet. The sides are still at odds over the size of the Russian base and over the period of Russia’s naval presence in Ukraine, Marchuk said. Commenting on the statement made by the defense chiefs in Tysovets that they focus on the purely military aspects of the fleet's division, Marchuk stressed that “the issue concerning foreign military presence in Ukraine cannot be other than political.” It is to define the terms of naval presence that “the most serious work” is under way, Marchuk noted, adding that the issue on the size of the Russian base 1s “very complex, and the positions of the sides are too wide and too far apart.” Asked to comment on a possible failure to complete accords by April 4-5 when Yeltsin 1s due to arrive in Kiev. Marchuk remarked that “not everything is tied This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 42 UKRAINE up with a situation in Russia.” Ukraine “needs to solve problems of its own,” he added. “Methods applied 20 years ago are improper now as the world and the situation have changed since then,” Marchuk said. Meanwhile, consultations continued at Tysovets at an enlarged session of the Russian and Ukrainian defense leaders today. These consultations have been separate, covering the two countries naval and air forces, anti- aircraft defenses, and strategic missile troops. The meeting is expected to be crowned with more than 10 various accords. Russia's Navy Commander Feliks Gromov has told Interfax that “progress” has been reached on the transfer of part of the Black Sea Fleet to Ukraine. If the defense ministers agree on a time-table, Ukraine will get this year about 50 ships on top of the 29 vessels it has already receive, Gromov said, adding that the problem of Russian naval presence in Ukraine has not been discussed at the consultations in Tysovets. Ukraine: Basing of Black Sea Fleet Main Obstacle in Talks With Russia LD2903210396 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1530 GMT 29 Mar 96 {FBIS Translated Text} Moscow — The problem of the Black Sea Fleet basing creates most obstacles in the way of the Black Sea Fleet talks currently being held within the framework of the mixed Ukrainian-Russian Cooperation Commission, Vasyl Durdynets, the head of the Ukrainian delegation at the talks and deputy prime minister for state security and emergency situations, has told UNIAN. He also said that the talks were progressing with dif- ficulty. Durdynets said Ukraine wants the two fleets to be based in Sevastopol separately, in different har- bors, without standing in each others’ way. Meanwhile, the Russian side insists categorically that only its ficet should be based in Sevastopol, the deputy prime minis- ter said. However, “there is a limit to concessions, beyond which we cannot go.” Durdynets said. Durdynets believes there are no grounds whatsoever to accuse Ukraine of deviating from the 1995 Sochi agreements on the basing of the Black Sea Fleet and the naval forces of Ukraine. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Ukraine: Deputy PM Rejects Moscow's Stance on Sevastopol MK3003094796 Moscow NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA in Russian 30 Mar 96 p 3 {Interview with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Vasiliy Durdynets by Viktor Timoshenko under the “Collision” rubric: “Yeltsin's Visit to Kiev Postponed. Defense Ministers Could Not Resolve the Problem of Fleet Basing” } (FBIS Translated Text] Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minis- ter Vasiliy Durdynets, head of the Ukrainian delegation, spoke in an interview for NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA about the negotiations on the problems of the Black Sea Fleet, which are currently under way in Moscow. “Our delegation is quite large — 35 competent profes- sionals representing all ministries and agencies that have a bearing on the settlement of problems relating to the definition of the Black Sea Fleet's status and payments for its basing, who are authorized and capable of con- sidering in a qualifies manner the questions that might emerge.” [Timoshenko] Who is holding talks with you on the Russian side? [Durdynets}] We have had meetings with the delegation of the Russian Federation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Bolshakov. A group of Ukrainian delegation members under Deputy Finance Minister Nikolay Sivulskiy has held talks on payments at the Russian Ministry for Cooperation With CIS States. Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantin Grishchenko has met with his Russian counterparts, Sergey Krylov and Yuriy Dubinin. [Timoshenko] Could you disclose any details of the negotiating process? [Durdynets] | will make no bones about the fact that the talks are proceeding with great difficulty. The most serious snags are bound up with the problem of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's basing. Ukraine has been consistently looking for compromises and seeking to resolve all contentious issues on the basis of principles suiting both sides. Presently Ukraine stands accused of backing away from the Sochi agreements of 1995 on the basing of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy. | think that there are no grounds for such charges Indeed, the Sochi agreements called for separate loca- tions of the fleets’ deployment, but this does not mean at all that Ukraine agreed to withdraw its Navy. The Ukrainian stance is as follows: The two fleets can real- istically be based in separate bays of Sevastopol, without Standing in each other's way. All the more so because This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination ts profabited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 our countries have announced their desire to be strategic partners. The Russian side, however, categorically insists that only the Russian fleet may be deployed in Sevastopol. You should understand that concessions have a limit that we cannot exceed. Ukraine: Kuchma Views Prospect of Joining Customs Union LD3003180096 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1622 GMT 30 Mar 96 ["INTERFAX-UKRAINE” news item] {(FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, March 30 (Interfax- Ukraine) — Russia has been and will remain Ukraine's Strategic partner, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said during the Fifth congress of the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Kiev Saturday. However, “every country acts proceeding from its national interests,” Kuchma said. Ukraine also takes its interests, including economic interests, into account when deciding whether to join OF not to join one or another union, Kuchma said. The Ukrainian leadership cannot decide to join the customs union with Russia at present because the two countries have different banking systems, different legislation and different economic conditions, he said. If Ukraine joins the customs union, a number of Ukrainian companies. including automotive producers and coal industry enterprises will become upcompeti- tive, Kuchma said. Kuchma also urged the Russian leadership to abolish the register of 186 products which are not subject to the treaty on free trade with Ukraine. Five decrees regarding the replenishment of national cr “panies” working capital will be prepared next week, Kuc.ima said. The decrees will in particular contain a proposal to re-schedule the detts of Ukrainian compa- nies “for the same period for which our foreign partners re-scheduled Ukrainian debts.” he said. Ukraine and Russia carlier signed an agreement on re- scheduling the Ukrainian det for a time of up to seven years. Ukrainian companies are also planned to be freed from accumulated penalties over unrepaid banking credits, Kuchma said. Besides Kuchma. the Fifth congress of the Ukrammian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs involves Prime Minister Yevgeny Marchuk. First Deputy Prime UKRAINE 43 Minister Pavel Lazarenko, ministers and the heads of other national departments. The congress is expected to end on Saturday evening. Ukraine: Pipeline Enterprise Suspends Russian Oil Transit to E. Europe WS0104082896 Kiev INTELNEWS in English 0529 GMT 30 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text} Lvov, March 29 — Russian oil pumping through Ukraine's Druzhba pipeline to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary has been suspended since Thursday, according to Druzhba’s main pipeline director, Lyubomyr Buniak. Buniak told INTELNEWS that the three countries have refused to take the oil because their storage facilities are overfilled and there is no room for more oil to be received. However, Druzhba still has to pump 40,000 tons of oil to Hungary before April |. The pipelines director said that about one million tons of Russian oil were pumped to the three countries during March. However, according to a schedule fixed with the Russian Fuel and Energy Ministry, Druzhba should have pumped only 570,000 tons. From April 1, Druzhba will renew the transit of Russian oil in all directions. The Russian side has already effected payments for transit of 200,000 tons of oil in the second quarter, and altogether, about 1.2 million tons of Russian oil will be pumped through Druzhba during April. It is possible that the Czech Republic and Slovakia will receive oil from Yugoslavia through the Adria pipeline, noted Buniak. In January, Druzhba transported 1.438 million tons of oil; in February, 1.227 million tons; and in March, |! million tons. According to Buniak, the decrease in the amount of pumped oil is a seasonal phenomenon related to rise in temperatures. He said that once Russia renews agreements with its East European partners, Druzhba will recommence its transit of Russian oil. Druzhba cooperates with 41 companies. Since the beginning of 1996, all settlements are effected according to a new tariff of $5.2 per ton per 100 kilometers. According to Bumak, “Raising the tariff, we were guided by the average European figures, therefore the taritt increase has not resulted in a loss of clients.” Buniak characterized the current situation as “unalarm- ing This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts profabtted without permissron of the copyright owners a UKRAINE “No demand, no supply,” he added. Antonin Morgac, advisor to the Czech Embassy in Ukraine for political issues, said,"When the oil pipeline running from Hamburg through the territory of Germany was opened several days ago, the Czech Republic was freed from its absolute dependence on Russia oil.” “We buy oil from Russia and are willing to buy it in the future. However, since we pay for the transit cost to the Czech border. we are interested in a low tariff.” Morgac added. Ukraine: Restrictions Imposed on British Beef Imports WS0104095896 Kiev INTELNEWS in English 2256 GMT 31 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text} A fe'al nerve disease believed to be spread from slaughtered British cattle has resulted in severe import restrictions against British agricultural products into Ukraine. The disease, a sort of cattle encephalitis linked to the human Creuzfelt-Jacob nerve disease, attacks brain cells and is known to have a lethal outcome, according to reports in the Ukrainian press. The disease—known by the acronym BSE—was first discovered in November 1986. Since then, over 160,000 head of cattle with its symptoms have been executed, ac- cording to the newspaper KYIVSKIE VEDOMOSTIE. The report also noted that a European Commission meeting scheduled for later this week wil! decide whether to impose a ban on British beef, which has been in the meantime been imposed by 11 European countries, plus New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore and South Korea. A source in the Ukrainian General Veterinary Adminis- tration told INTELNEWS that “verbal” restrictions have led the British Embassy in Kiev to apply on a case-by- case basis for permission to import its country's agri- cultural produce. According to the source, the last such request was made by the embassy on Dec. 22. On Jan. 10, the request was denied in a memorandum signed by Pavio Dos- toyevskyy. who heads Ukraine's Veterinary Admuinis- tration. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Ukraine: Chinese Parliament Speaker ‘Satisfied’ With Meetings LD3003151796 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1802 GMT 30 Mar 96 {By Raisa Stetsyura] {[FBIS Transcribed Text} Kiev, March 30 (Itar-Tass) — “Ukraine and China support each other in the international arena. The negotiating process between the two countries is moving smoothly,” Chinese parliament speaker Qiao Shi said after his talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko on Saturday. Qiao Shi said he was satisfied with the results of his meetings and talks in Kiev. There are no disagreements between Ukraine and China on key international issues. On the contrary, they have good prospects for expanding their scientific, technical and economic cooperation, he said. Meeting journalists after the closed-door talks, Udovenko said that he and Qiao Shi had discussed bilateral cooperation and international relations. “Ukraine supports China's policy aimed at preserving the country’s integrity. We favour a peaceful settlement of problems similar to the one that exists between China and Txiwan. Although the Taiwan issue is most certainly China's internal matter, it should be resolved only by peaceful methods,” Udovenko said. Udovenko and Qiao Shi also discussed human rights in China. "Economic achievements in China and the provision of social and economic rights to the Chinese people are a considerable achievement in the area of human rights,” the iminister said. On Sunday, Qiao Shi will fly to Moscow. Ukraine: Foreign Minister Says Taiwan Issue China’s Domestic Affair LD3003115996 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1130 GMT 30 Mar %6 {[FBIS Translated Text] Kiev [no date as received] — Foreign Affairs Minister Hennadiy Udovenko and Qiao Shi, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, held a meeting on 30 March. Udovenko told journalists that two issues were dis- cussed during the meeting: bilateral Ukrainian-Chinese relations and the current state of Ukrainian-Chinese re- lations. The sides also discussed human rights issues. the minister said. In connection with this, Udovenko said that “Ukraine shows understanding of the fact that This report may contain copynghted matenal, Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permisaon of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 West European human rights standards cannot be ap- plied to China.” The minister also recalled that Ukraine regarded the Taiwan issue as China's domestic affair and proceeded from the fact that this issue should be settled by peaceful means. Qiao Shi said understanding had been reached at the talks on many issues. He said there was an active political dialogue between Ukraine and China. On completion of his visit to Ukraine, Qiao Shi is planning to visit the Russian Federation, Greece, and Canada. Ukraine: Pact Signed With U.S. To Establish Chernoby! Safety Center WS0104075496 Kiev INTELNEWS in English 0528 GMT 31 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text} Kiev. March 29 — Ukraine's Environment and Nuclear Safety Minister Yuriy Kostenko and the U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Minister Terry Lash signed an agreement on Friday to establish an international nuclear safety center at Chernobyl, and Kostenko reported that the U.S. will allocate $3 million toward the project. On April 19 and 20, experts from the highly industri- alized Group 7 nations will meet with Ukrainian spe- cialists in Moscow to discuss the scheduled shutdown of the Chernobyl! nuclear power plant and work out fi- nancing arrangements for the shutdown in conformity with an agreement signed in Canada between Ukraine and the G-7. According to the agreement, Ukraine should receive credits worth $2.6 billion and grants worth $154 million for the plant's decommissioning. Kostenko said that Ukraine will present the leaders with a list of projects related to the shutdown with an outline of how they are to be financed. Speaking about the upcoming meeting, President Kuchma said, “This program will be carried out over decades and it is important not to create a situation in which Chernobyl is shut down and the West loses all interest in the problem. “We have the unique opportunity to relate first hand the whole wuth about all the problems Ukraine is encountering in trying to fulfill this broad program. and the Moscow summit will place a new emphasis on the West's political obligations. UKRAINE National Affairs Ukraine: Cabinet Bans Animal Product Imports From ‘Some Countries’ AU0104102196 Lvov ZA VILNU UKRAYINU in Ukrainian 26 Mar 96 p! {Report by the Press Center of the Lvov Oblast Council and Lvov Oblast State Administration: “To Protect Animals From Diseases” ] {(FBIS Translated Text] The Cabinet of Ministers’ ex- traordinary commission for combating animal dis- eases informs potential partners about outbreaks of diseases in cattle, animals, and poultry in some coun- tries of the world. In particular, hoof-and-mouth dis- ease has been discovered in Azerbaijan's large cattle and smallpox in small cattle; smallpox in camels in Turk- menistan; spongiform encephalopathy in the cattle in Portugal; and pseudoplague in Austrian poultry. To prevent the spread of the aforementioned diseases to Ukraine, imports of animal products from the said countries, as well as of animal feed are banned. Imports of other agricultural products from these countries may only be permitted with an authorization from Ukraine's Main Veterinary Administration. Ukraine: News Contols Adopted for Exports of Nuclear Materials WS0104080396 Kiev INTELNEWS in English 0529 GMT 30 Mar 96 (FBIS Transcribed Text} Kiev March 29 — Ukraine has agreed to refrain from the export of nuclear products which might be used for nuclear weapons production. Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers adopted an order of control this week on the export, import and transit of nuclear materials, technologies and devices, on sources of ionized radiation including radioactive wastes, and on radioactive isotopes such as natural uranium and plutonium. According to the new guidelines, the goods may be ex- ported after receiving permission from the Government Commission on Export Control, however, export of such goods is fortidden to those countries which have no nuclear weapons if there is reason to suspect that such goods will be used for nuclear arms production. The new regulations also cover importation and transit of nuclear materials, and stipulate that importers must submit an application and certificate of environmental satety This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners % UKRAINE Ukraine: New Chief of Armed Forces General Staff on Military Reform WS2903131796 Kiev UKRAYINA MOLODA in Ukrainian 22 Mar 96 p! {"Exclusive” interview with Oleksandr Zatynayko, re- cently appointed chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, by Olena Zvarych; place and date not given: “Oleksandr Zatynayko: “Ukraine's Defense Ca- abilities Will Not Deteriorate If Military Districts Are Disbanded*” (FBIS Translated Text} In light of recent vicissitudes in the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the figure of Oleksandr Zatynayko is remarkable (and not only due to his baskethall-player height, which I have to admit forces some people to step an eleva- tion to decrease the height difference during a con- versation): According to our information, General was to have become first General Staff deputy chief, and almost at the very last moment it was decided to appoint him to the post which — ac- cording to all the forecasts — was to have been taken by Ivan Bizhan. The point is that General Bizhan is one of the principal authors of the military reform program, the responsibility for the implementation of which is now to be undertaken to a major degree by Oleksandr Zatynayko. [Zvarych] Mr. Zatynayko, the program of reform in the Army has not been perceived unanimously by military Officials, in particular by higher military officials. Un- doubtedly, you are the one who must be an active ad- vocate of the program. In your opinion, which aspects of the program need corrections? [Zatynayko] The point is that the program has not yet been approved, and obviously certain corrections will be introduced into it. However, undoubtedly this program is necessary and correct with regard to its contents. Currently the Army is a very bulky structure which needs huge financial allocations. Therefore, it will not be enough to carry out a “simple division” or reduction; it is Necessary to maximally transform certain branches of service; to man the Armed Forces on essentially new principles. which means to transform the Army into a new structure in organizational and personnel terms. We understood a long time ago that such a large Army is not necessary to maintain Ukraine's defense capabilities. Thanks to the reductions, the Army will become better equipped and better provided for in financial terms. Thus, the existing supply of equipment and arms will last for some time... {Zvarych} Does this means that the Army's numerical strength will be reduced more significantly than previ- FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 ously stated — I mean the reduction to 350,000-400,000 men? [Zatynayko} Some 400,000 people, which is also a lot. I think that the Army's numerical strength will be even lower. {Zvarych] The program of reform proposed by your predecessor, Anatoliy Lopata, did not envisage the elimination of military districts. Many people believe that it is dangerous to eliminate military districts, providing arguments that this will lead to a situation in which the Army will not be a national force any longer, and in economic terms, will depend on local administrations. [Zatynayko] Currently, the Army depends in many re- spects on lecal administrations, as well. As for military districts, in my opinion they are relics of the Soviet Army; they were created with an cye toward broad- scale military actions. The question is whether these for- mations are justifiable nowadays. Let us, for instance, take the North Caucasus military district. At the be- ginning of the Chechen campaign Russia's leadership stated that it was going to defeat Dudayev solely us- ing the forces of this military district. Meanwhile, in fact only one regiment participated in military actions! What about the others? This war has shown to Russia the complete clumsiness and low combat capabilities of military districts in general. I would like to assure you that Ukraine's defense capabilities will not worsen if military districts are disbanded. [Zvarych] It seems that personnel reshuffles and cleans- ing awaits the General Staff. Are you not afraid that this wave may do away with the best employees from the General Staff? As we know, after General Lopata’s dismissal many experts from his retinue filed motions seeking resignation or are considering doing so. [Zatynayko] Of course, we will try to keep experts. However, in some cases it will not be easy. We cannot avoid a personnel reshuffle, given that reform will also touch upon the central apparatus of the Army. | think that we do not need unconsidered resolutions with regard to this issue. I have just begun to get to know my colleagues. At the same time, | should say that | met many people from the General Staff earlier — for instance, during my work in the Kiev military district, where I served for seven years, beginning from 1977, and from the Carpathian military district. ts report may contam copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination ts profabited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 Ukraine: Communist Rally in Sumy Calis For USSR Restoration AU2903160596 Kiev HOLOS UKRAYINY in Ukrainian 28 Mar 96 p 5 (Unattributed report from Sumy: “Forward — Back- wards?"] {FBIS Translated Text} The Sumy Town Council au- thorized the town Executive Committee Department for Juridical and Legal Provision to turn to court with an initiative to impose a temporary ban on public undertak- ings by the oblast organization of Ukraine's Communist Party. Such a reaction on the part of the authorities was due to a recent communist rally. Instead of rallying and shouting about social protection of the population, as had been announced the day before, they carried UKRAINE 47 out an antistate action demanding restoration ci the USSR. Several hundred participants in the rally who gathered at the central square of the oblast center welcomed delegates from Russia — members of the Russian Communist Party and State Duma deputies, who permitted themselves insulting remarks aimed against the presidents of Russia and Ukraine and called for “making every effort to have both presidents and borders disappear.” Ukraine: Kuchma Appoints Deputy Premier for Political, Legal Issues LD3003001896 Kiev UT-1 Television Network in Ukrainian 1900 GMT 29 Mar 96 ([FBIS Summary] The Ukrainian president has issued a decree appointing Oleksandr Yemets to the post of deputy prime minister for political and legal issues. This report may contain copynghted matersal Copying and dissemination ts profabited without permission of the copyright owners WESTERN REGION Belarus Belarus: Polish, Belarusian Presidents Meet in Brest Region LD3003145796 Minsk BELAPAN in Belarusian 1300 GMT 30 Mar 96 [FBIS Translated Text} Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski arrived in Belarus on a one-day working visit. The presidents of Belarus and Poland, Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Aleksander Kwasniewski, held nego- tiations in the Viskuli government residence in Brest Region. Sources reported that the presidents discussed the development of the two countries’ border regions; the possibility of further development of bilateral rela- tions, first of all in the trade and economic sphere; and a number of other issues. The Polish president expressed particular interest in the prospects of relations between Belarus and the Russian Federation in the light of recent events. For its part, the Belarusian side expressed interest in the Polish experience in the implementation of effective economic reform. It is noteworthy that the current meeting is the first between the heads of the neighboring states. This meeting must create a basis for Lukashenka’s visit to Poland scheduled for this summer. Since Poland and sovereign Belarus established diplo- matic relations in 1992 they have maintained a highly intensive dialogue. In this period the two countries con- cluded 36 treaties and agreements in the field of invest- ment, trade, science, culture, tourism, etc, including a fundamental document — the Treaty on Good Neigh- bourly Relations and Cooperation. As for the volume of trade turnover, Poland is now the fourth partner of Belarus after Russia, Ukraine, and Ger- many. In addition to that, Poland leads in the number of joint ventures with Belarusian companies and its own companies in Belarus: of 2,000 joint ventures registered in Belarus 560 are between Polish and Belarusian com- panies. There are offices of 47 large Polish companies in Belarus. An intergovernment Belarusian-Polish com- mission for trade and economic cooperation, headed by the ministers of external economic relations of the two countries, was set up three years ago and has been work- ing effectively. Belarus: Lukashenka: Poland’s NATO Membership ‘Warsaw’s Affair’ LD3003175295 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1622 GMT 30 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text} MINSK, March 30 (INTERFAX-West) — Belarusian President Alyak- sandr Lukashenka has reiterated Belarus’ concern about Poland's plan to join NATO. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Belarus has no right to interfere into the issue of whether Poland should or should not join NATO, Lukashenka said during his meeting with Polish President Alek- sander Kwasniewski in Viskuly (Belarus’ Belovezh- Skaya Pushcha) Saturday. “This is Warsaw's affair,” Lukashenka said. However, he spoke out in favor of not forcing Poland's admission to the North Atlantic alliance, an Interfax correspondent reports. The two presidents agreed that their countries were “buffer” states. This can help the two countries find common approaches to the settlement of some political and military problems, Lukashenka said. Lukashenka recalled the statements by Czech President Vaclav Havel and the then Polish president Lech Walesa that nuclear weapons could be deployed in the Czech Republic and Poland. “What will happen if Minsk sus- pends the withdrawal of Russian nuclear weapons from its territory?” Lukashenka asked a rhetorical question. The Belarusian and Polish presidents have agreed to implement all international disarmament programs and “will not play games with weapons,” Lukashenka said. Kwasniewski had an opportunity to see the latest version of the union treaty between Russia and Belarus that the two countries plan to sign on April 2. He said he believed that this treaty would in no way undermine Belarusian statehood. The two countries will build their dialogue proceeding from the fact that Belarus and Poland are sovereign States, Kwasniewski said. The two presidents decided not to use the term “trans- port corridor” for defining the transport system which could be constructed via Polish territory in order to connect Belarus with Russia‘s Kaliningrad region. “The subject of the discussion was that Russia should main- tain relations with compatriots in the Kaliningrad re- gion via Poland,” Lukashenka told a news conference. “Nothing new needs to be created. (We) just need to upgrade transport communications which existed dur- ing the USSR epoch,” Lukashenka said. Belarus: Supreme Soviet Approves Plan To Sign Treaty With Russia LD2903162296 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 150] GMT 29 Mar 96 {By BELTA correspondent Larisa Klyuchnikova for ITAR-TASS] {FBIS Translated Text} Minsk. 29 Mar (Itar-Tass) — The Belarus Supreme Sovict today adopted a resolution is Teport may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 “On Further Deepening and Developing the Integration Processes Between the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and Other CIS Countries.” The parliament approved the practical steps taken by the Belarusian president aimed at achieving a com- prehensive rapprochement between Belarus and Rus- sia, and supported the main principles for developing and deepening integration between the Republic of Be- larus and the Russian Federation as set out in the re- port of the Belarusian president to the 27 March session of the Supreme Soviet. The resolution emphasizes that the integration being carried out on a voluntary basis is based on the principles of state sovereignty, preserva- tion of territorial integrity, equality, mutual benefits for the sides, and noninterference in each other's internal affairs. The delegation of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Belarus in the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly has been recommended to pursue a steady policy aimed at strengthening ties between countries and nations in the fields of state, economic, scientific. and cultural coop- cration. The Supreme Soviet deems it necessary to set up a standing interparliamentary body for cooperation between the Supreme Soviet and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to organize and coordinate imterparliamentary interaction. A version submitted by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet contained a point which the communists have insisted should be included. The point suggested that the actions by the senior Belarus officials which resulted in the collapse of the USSR in December 1991 should be regarded as politically wrong and contradicting the will of the people. However, after a stormy debate, at which it was noted that this point virtually implied support for the recent decision by the Russian State Duma, it was not included on the agenda. Moldova Moldova: Constitutional Court Rules Snegur May Run for Reelection AU3003172596 Chisinau BASAPRESS in English 2100 GMT 29 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text} Chisinau 29/3/96 (BASA- press) — The Constitutional Court ruled today that the first term of the Moldovan president started on 1S January 1992, so that Mircea Snegur. the current president, may run for a second term. The ruling was passed after a petition from deputy Victor Cecan about interpretation of ttem § of Arucle 78 of the Moldovan Constitution. According to the article, 4 Person may He clected president for only two terms in a row WESTERN REGION ae According to Cecan, Snegur was president for two terms — first, between 3 September 1990 and 8 December 1991, elected by Parliament, and second since 15 January 1992, when he was elected by the whole Moldovan people. To defend his case, Cecan referred to the constitutional preamble that stipulates “the continuity of Moldovan people's statehood.” He thinks the previous mandate, originally for five years, ended and was not interrupted. The Constitutional Court argued that Moldova became independent on 27 August 1991, with the proclamation of independence. and before that it was part of another state — the USSR. Also today, the Constitutional Court examined Cecan's petition regarding Article 88 (1). According to it, the president may suspend all government acts that run counter to the law until a final Constitutional Court ruling. Cecan petitioned the Constitutional Court to interpret whether or not the president must appeal to the Con- stitutional Court if governmental acts are suspended. In his opinion, once the president views government deci- sions as not complying with the law, he must appeal to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court ruled that the president may suspend government decisions with a simultaneous petition to the Constitutional Court. Moldova: Snegur Requests Cancellation of Law Limiting Press Freedom AU3003161896 Chisinau INFOTAG in English 1909 GMT 29 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text} Chisinau, March 29 (INFO- TAG) — President Mircea Snegur has stood up with a legislative initiative on canceling Article 203/6 in the Criminal Code which envisages a three- to five-year im- prisonment for offense of human dignity of the president and parliament chairman. Simultaneously, the head of state requested court au- thorities to stop the trial against Nicolae Rosca, editor of MOLODEZH MOLDOVIY, initialled [indicted] under this article, journalists were told on Thursday night [28 March] by Presidential Legal Adviser Anatol Ciobanu, who appeared at the sitting of the Chisinau Press Club. The club discussed problems being faced by the press, in particular the closed-door sitting of the Parliament on 16 March, when journalists had to wait for results tor over six hours practically in the street. Several days later the verbatim of the sitting was published by TARA, This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners so WESTERN REGION the paper of the Christian-Democratic Popular Front of Moldova [FPCDM]. Parliament Deputy Chairmen Dumitru Diacov and Du- mitru Motpan, who took part in the club sitting, offered jes to the journalists for the forum's decision to work behind closed doors. Commenting on Snegur's new initiative, MP Sergiu Mocanu of the FPCDM has characterized it as “a st one, aimed at winning sympathies of the media fore presidential elections.” “Mircea Snegur is always late with his initiatives,” he said, and referred to a recent history of adopting the Constitution, when it was necessary to have only 50 percent of votes to write down that “the official language in the republic is the Romanian language.” “However, at that moment the president did not care to influence the parliamentary majority, though he could. And six FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 months later, when it was necessary to have already two- thirds of votes, the president stood up with his legislative initiative, which was declined by the forum,” Mocanu said. The Article 203/6 issue has been included in the par- liament agenda, Diacov announced. However, Snegur was not the first in raising the problem, for several days earlier such a proposition came from lurie Rosca, the FPCDM leader, and it will be soon considered together with several more amendments to the Press Law. Many journalists were sceptic about Snegur’s chances saying that his new initiative may be again declined, as the recent-month tradition goes. They also stressed that the controversies between power branches have been influencing the media negatively, for the Press Law still cannot be amended and liberalized. This report may contain copynghted maternal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permissten of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Tajikistan Tajikistan: Rakhmanov Welcomes Deeper Integration Within CIS LD2903161596 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1530 GMT 29 Mar 96 {By Galina Gridneva] {[FBIS Transcribed Text) DUSHANBE, March 29 (ITAR-TASS) — The leadership of Tajikistan fully supports the designing of the Agreement on deeper imtegration in the economic and humanitarian spheres among Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan which it sees as a step of importance not only to the historical fate of the peoples of those republics but also of other countries on the territory of the former Soviet Union, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmanov told Itar-Tass today. According to President Rakhmanov, his republic has long been in favour of closer, deeper forms of inte- gration, of its irreversibility and comprehensiveness, of involving all member-countries of the Commonwealth in the process. Tajikistan is worried by the fact that most of the interstate documents signed on a multilateral basis within the Commonwealth of independent States remain unaimplemented. Closer relations will enable the republics to solve nu- merous problems in the political, military and humani- tarian fields much faster and more effectively, he said. Tajikistan has proved not only in words but also in deeds its commitment to integration. Evidence of this can be seen in Tajikistan’s readiness to join the customs union, tO participate in the creation of a currency and payment union and eventually of a single economic space in which to work out a uniform stance of the CIS member- countries on key issues of the World and regional policy. The president of Tajikistan expressed the hope that the signing of the agreement on the consolidation of integration will facilitate further strengthening of the CIS and its evolution towards a more effective and viable inter-state alliance. The step made in Moscow today will encourage other countries to follow the example of the four states, President Rakhmanov said. Tajikistan: Government Forces Reportedly Bombard Opposition Forces, LD3003113996 (Clandestine) Voice of Free Tajikistan in Tajik 0600 GMT 30 Mar 96 |FBIS Translated Text] The press center of the Islamic Movement of Tapkistan has not issued any reports from CENTRAL ASIA 51 its army positions. A Payk-i Khorasan (this program) expert has said that, according to a report from military sources, airborne attacks by the Dushanbe regime [Tajik government} on opposition positions continued on 29 March. According to reports received, Russian helicopters are taking part in the bombardment and 10-14 helicopters are attacking opposition positions every day, as a result of which many houses have being destroyed and a number of civilians have been wounded or killed. An expert from the Islamic Movement of Tajikistan has said that the [Tajik] regime is under pressure from world society due to its attempts to solve the current crisis of the country by political means. That is why the regime has to keep the Tavil Dara and Shuroabad clashes secret. Abdulhakim Foteh [mojahedin commander in Shuroabad] said that the regime's forces, who en- joy the assistance of the Russians, are using chemical bombs. Answering the questions of our correspondent, Abdulhakim Foteh said that after the explosion of this type of bomb the area is infused with an unpleasant smell, and it makes people ill. Continuous use of these bombs could destroy the environment of the region. Our correspondent said that the [chemical] bombard- ment mainly occurred on the territory of Moskovskiy District, and the inhabitants of two districts above all — Moskovskiy and Shuroabad — are breathing the air with chemical poison. Our correspondent reported that the helicopters fear the bullets of the mojahedin, and for this reason try not to come close to them and instead bombard village 2reas. Tajikistan: Rebels Report Russian Air Attacks LD3103110096 (Clandestine) Voice of Free Tajikistan in Tajik 0600 GMT 31 Mar 96 {(FBIS Translated Text] There are reports from Shuroabad District [southern Tajikistan] of airborne attacks by the forces of the sponsors [Russia] of the Dushanbe regime. According to a report from the press center of the Islamic Movement of Tajikistan [IMT], received by the office of the Voice of Free Tajikistan, seven military helicopters of the regime bombed mojahedin positions yesterday. An Islamic Movement press center spokesman said, in reference to the reports received from the frontlines, this air attack was deflected by mojahedin return fire. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copynght owners $2 CENTRAL ASIA There was a report that two helicopters, in spice of rain, attacked the (Choh-i Ob) area. The bombardment, according to a report from the IMT press center, lasted 20 minutes. However, the source did not give any details. According to IMT sources, the air forces of [Tajik President} Rahmanov's government heavily bombed civilian villages in Komsomolabad District a few day ago. It is said that as a result of this attack, a number of houses in villages in the (Hokimi) and (Lugur) valleys were razed to the ground. As the IMT press center reported, more than 10 innocent children in the area were wounded as a result of this brutal act. The report adds that clashes between the mojahedin of the Mullo Abdullo [Komsomolabad mojahedin field commander] group and the forces of the regime are con- tinuing in the area. We have also received a report of hit- and-run clashes between the group led by Abdulhakim Foteh [mojaheddin commander in Shuroabad) and gov- ernment forces. There are no details from these clashes. FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Tajikistan: About 100 Suspects Detained After Journalist’s Death LD2903182796 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1644 GMT 29 Mar 96 [Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian at 1806 GMT on 29 March transmits a service message killing this report, which it says “contains false infor- mation" } (FBIS Translated Text} Dushanbe, 29 Mar (Itar-Tass) — Tajikistan First Deputy Interior Minister Gennadiy Bli- nov said in Dushanbe today that about 100 people have been detained on suspicion of the murder of Russian TV correspondent Gennadiy Blinov. The investigation has been examining a total of six possible scenarios for the murder of Nikulin, with terrorist act being viewed as a possible reason, Blinov said. This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Armenia Armenia: Private Joint-Stock Company To Control Nuclear Power Plant LD2903192896 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1620 GMT 29 Mar 96 {FBIS Transcribed Text) YEREVAN, March 29 (IN- TERFAX) — The Armenian government has put the republic's nuclear power plant in the trust of a pri- vate joint-stock company. Cabinet spokesman Martin Urikhanyan has reported. The reason given for the ac- tion was the need to improve work at the plant, one of the main electricity suppliers in the republic. Ac- cording to the source, the republican Power Engineer- ing Ministry's Nuclear Power Plant Exploitation Depart- ment has been abolished. Meanwhile another source has disclosed that 85 percent of the stock in the plant has been acquired by the Power Engineering Ministry and 15 percent by the republican Property Privatization Department. A ministry expert, who preferred to remain anonymous, has described the decision to put a private company in charge of the Armenian plant as “very strange”. As the power plant is of state significance, it must be run and serviced by a state structure, the expert said. The Armenian nuclear power plant was partially re- opened last November after six years of interruption. But only one of the two 400-megawatt reactors has been reactivated, generating only 90 percent of its potential electricity output. Until now, electric power has been supplied to Arme- nian homes for just two hours a day, but as of April | it will be supplied around the clock. Armenia: Firing Across Azerbaijani Border Resumes NC3003193896 Yerevan SNARK in English 1231 GMT 30 Mar 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] Yerevan, March 30 (SNARK) — A long-lasted lull in northeast of Armenia's border with Azerbaijan was broken in the afternoon of March 29. The Press Office of the Defense Ministry informed Snark that defensive positions of the Voskepar village, Tavush marz (region), were shelled by various weapons. Armenians retaliated to stop the fire. One Armenian serviceman was wounded. No incidents were reported along other parts of the Armeno-Azeri border Relative calmness was observed in the Armenian border on the morning of March 40 CAUCASUS Azerbaijan Azerbaijan: Gasanov, Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Discuss Ties NC0104064396 Baku TURAN in English 1655 GMT 30 Mar 96 [FBIS Transcribed Text} Baku/30.03.96/TURAN — Today Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Gasan Gasanov received a diplomatic delegation of Iran headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Mostafa Morsali. The delegation arrived in Baku late yesterday. During the talks Mostafa Morsali told about wide program of the current visit of the delegation of Iran to Azerbaijan. According to him, the delegation includes representatives of administration of Cilan province of Iran, high-ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry of Iran responsible for interparliamentary relations, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of Iran. According to Morsali, expansion of economic and cultural relations between Iran and Azerbaijan requires Strengthening of consular relations between the two countries. Iranian diplomat offered Gasan Gasanov to discuss the following questions: simplification of the order of crossing the border between the two countries (establishment of visaless regime for citizens of border regions, for businessmen, establishment of privileges for buses, tours, on air and sea lines, tariffs beneficial for Carriages), joint discussion by the court of both countries of cases on violation of rules by citizens at the territories of other country, on extradition criminals, on agreed amnesty of the accused at the territory of both countries. “Azerbaijan is ready to discussion of these questions. The agreements of deepening of relations between the two countries will improve the relations between the two countries,” Gasan Gasanov said. Georgia Georgia: Shevardnadze Welcomes Yeltsin's Chechen Settlement Plan LDO104130196 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1223 GMT I Apr 96 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Tengiz Pachkoriya and Anatoliy Yurkin] {[FBIS Translated Text] Thilisi, | Apr (ITAR-TASS) — “President of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze wel- comes the new peace initiative of Russian President Boris Yeltsin for settling the conflict in Chechnya,” said Vakhtang Abashidze, press secretary of the Georgian president, speaking to ITAR-TASS correspondents to- gay This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners Ss CAUCASUS According to him Eduard Shevardnadze thinks that Boris Yeltsin's plan “has a specific nature.” Georgia is “interested in establishing peace and stability in Chechnya for many reasons including the reason that the Chechen stretch of the Georgian-Russian border is very extensive.” Georgia: Shevardnadze Weekly Interview 1 Apr LDO0104120896 Tbilisi Radio Tbilisi Network in Georgian 0722 GMT | Apr 96 [Regular weekly interview with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze by Nato Oniani on | April; place not given — recorded] (FBIS Translated Excerpt) {Oniani} Mr. President, several events of special interest occurred last week. In particular, a government meeting was held; you met representatives of the World Bank; Germans allocated a new loan to improve our power en- gineering s, stem; and the days of [the western Georgian province of} Racha-Lechkhumi ended yesterday. The main event of the past week was an official visit to Geor- gia by Romanian President Ilie Iliescu, during which agreements, including an economic one, were signed. Romania has become yet another country of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, relations with which have now a legal basis. {Shevardnadze} Good morning. The past week, as well as the whole month of March, was notable for various fruitful meetings at an international level. This, naturally, speeds up internal economic processes. At the same time, this will help Georgia to become before long a jumping-off point for large-scale trasncontinental trade relations. This was once again confirmed during a visit to Georgia by Romanian President lon Iliescu. The main topic of talks with him was cooperation in settling practical issues of running the Europe-Caucasus-Asia transport corridor, the shipping and ferrying of goods in particular. In addition, Romania’s interest has been outlined in oil prospecting, extraction, and refining of oil in Georgia as well as participation in building oil pipelines and gas depots. Romania is also interested iN Cooperation in manganite mining, timber processing, and pharmaceutical production. [passage omitted] A number of agreements on relations in social and economic spheres were signed during the visit, including agreements on tourism, scientific and technical matters, and air, sea, and road transport, as well as other fields. Speaking of the country’s domestic economic develop- ments, | would like to draw your attention to the results of the latest meeting of the Georgian Government. The meeting. which was chaired by the president. consid- FBIS-SOV -96-063 1 April 1996 ered a draft law on budget systems and rights, which envisages changes to be introduced in the regulations on drafting, discussing, and adopting the budget as stip- ulated in the Constitution. The budget system is sup- posed to be shaped on a conceptually new basis. Three independent links of a single system — the central bud- get, the budget of central units, and special state funds, formerly extrabudgetary funds — create a guarantee of the unity of the state funds, which will play a crucial role in a state of federative structure. [passage omitted] At the meeting, a report was heard on implementing the 1995 state budget. Unlike the budgets of the previous years, the 1995 budget was characterized by ensured realistic funding of expenses. At the same time, the 1995 budget, regarded as an initial stage of a budget reform, had a number of shortcomings. These included a shortage in its own revenues, significant amendments introduced during the year into tax and fee plans, a failure to fulfill amended plans, and so on. It is envisaged that these shortcomings will be surmounted in the 1996 budget. The government meeting approved draft regulations on leasing arable land and submitted the draft to the parliament. The adoption of the regulations will be a significant step in the process of the agrarian reform. [passage omitted] The lari has maintained its stable rate. Its official rate on 29 March was |.26 against the dollar. The turnover of the Thilisi Interbank Currency Exchange during the past week was almost $2 million. Of these, the overall volume of interventions by the National Bank constituted $1.7 million. According to the preliminary data issued by the tax inspectorate, 17.5 million lari were collected as tax revenues in March. Altogether, the estimates of tax revenues for the first quarter come to 44 million lari, which corresponds to objectives and is more than double last year’s results. Over 7 million lari were collected by the customs department during the period from the beginning of the year till 29 Marsch, this being three times as much as last year. [passage omitted] The significance of a meeting with the World Bank rep- resentatives was in their acknowledging broad reforms in Georgia and the consistency of the reforms. They confirmed their readiness to participate further in the rehabilitation of Georgia's power engineering system, railways, highways, and sea ports. They said that an of- fice of a World Bank representative will be opened in Thilisi. This, undoubtedly, will be an important occa- sion for Georgia. The velume of credits to be granted to Georgia will be decided by 20 April This report may contain copynghted material, Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyngnht owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Since I mentioned Georgia's power engineering, | would like to add that following a visit by German Vice Chancellor Klaus Kinkel, the German Government, as an official letter from the minister of the economy said, decided to allocate 50 million German marks to Georgia for improving Georgian power engineering system and for increasing the power output. [passage omitted] {Oniani] Since your visit to Moscow, actual steps have been taken with regard to Abkhaz separatists. Today, you are meeting Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev. This is a long-expected visit. In fact, we have been waiting for it since your return from Moscow. Obviously, this visit wili be more interesting against this background. {Shevardnadze} A visit by General Grachev has already started. At 1200, I will hold my first meeting with him. The working groups have already been busy. Of all the issues to be discussed, | would point out two. First of all, issues concerning Abkhazia, and we shall discuss them no matter how acute and complicaied they are. It is difficult to speak about possible results now. All this will, indeed, be done taking into account the proxies of the defense minister and we all are aware that the scope of his proxies is quite large. His visit comes as a result of an agreement between Mr. Yeltsin and me. The other topical point to be discussed is the state of the building of Georgia’s Armed Forces and the expansion of cooperation between the two countries’ defense min- istries. You may acknowledge that it is impossible to bring Georgia's military potential to the required up-to- date condition without Russia's participation and Rus- sia’s serious assistance has been stipulated in accords reached with Russia. Cooperation in this field has been a success so far and I believe today’s dialogue will give it a new impetus. We shall certainly consider issues of a peaceful Caucasus, prospects of developing our mutual initiatives, and, naturally, | shall try to get more precise information on Mr. Yeltsin's initiative with regard to establishing peace in Chechnya. A joint meeting of the collegiums of the Russian and Georgian Defense Ministries will also be held today. The meeting will discuss a number of concrete issues relating to the expansion of cooperation between the two ministries. {Oniani] In two days’ time, your visit to Turkey will start. Can we say that there is a certain logic in the fact that your visit to Turkey follows your Moscow visit? {Shevardnadze} This visit was planned a long time ago. | would say that relations between Georgia and Turkey have heen developing in accordance with the scheme drawn up at the Turkey-Georgia summit. Absolutely CAUCASUS 55 new mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries based on equal rights has developed at a great pace in just about two or three years. To tell you the truth, when Mr. Demirel and I signed the first agreements, we did not expect that the development of relations between our countries would be so dynamic. My visit to Ankara will furnish these relations with new qualities. Quite a few agreements have been prepared. A comprehensive dialogue will be held with President Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, and other Outstanding political and state figures. On the whole, Turkey, Turkey's leadership has lent us a helping hand many times and our people will not forget it. {Oniani] Georgia celebrated the fifth anniversary of the 31 March referendum [on Georgia's independence] yesterday. This date was celebrated at the forum of the Union of Citizens of Georgia. A formal reception was also held yesterday in the building of the Georgian Parliament. Speaking at the forum at the Philharmonic Hall, you said that no matter who comes to power in Russia, Abkhazia, and Tskhinvali [South Ossetia] will remain integral parts of Georgia, that times are different now from when the enthronement of a new Tsar in Russia was marked by the annexation of new territories. Unfortunately, the reality has not always corresponded to our wishes since the referendum on independence. But one way or another, our people expressed their will quite strongly then and confirmed it during the latest election, when, unlike many other post-socialist countries, they did not cast votes for communists. [Shevardnadze] In my view, Georgia celebrated the 31 March referendum with dignity. The citizens of Georgia demonstrate ever growing confidence while building a free and independent country. This could clearly be seen at yesterday's forums, especially at the forum held by the Union of Citizens, at the reception organized by the Georgian Parliament at the initiative of Zurab Zhvania and at some other events. The construction of this free and independent country has been going ahead at such a great pace lately that | am absolutely positive that Georgia will very soon become a country with the developed economy, revived spirit, and reintegrated territory. Inspiration like this reigns in today’s Georgia. Our people and our population are the main force to achieve the goal while strengthening interrelations with other countries. As far as certain changes in other countnes, including Russia, are concerned, even if they occur, | am confident that this will have no impact on Georgia's freedom and independence. This report may contain copynghted maternal Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 56 CAUCASUS Yesterday also convinced us that national and civic vigilance should not be relaxed and we should not doze off. [passage omitted] Georgia: Shevardnadze Makes Independence Day Address to Party Meeting LD3103205696 Tbilisi Radio Tbilisi Network in Georgian 1700 GMT 31 Mar 96 {Independence Day speech by Georgian President Ed- uard Shevardnadze given at a meeting of the Union of Citizens on 31 March in Tbilisi — recorded] {[FBIS Translated Excerpt} Just like my colleagues whe spoke before me, | have come here to pay tribute to everyone who, in rather difficult conditions, expressed their will and voted for the country’s freedom. independence, and democratic development. It was a great day in Georgian history. Had it not been for a number of important developments in various parts of the world, including events in neighboring Russia, there may have been no need for us to meet and remember this day. Everybody knows that what is needed most for freedom and independence today is not talking, but busy work to build a free and strong country for the benefit of the people. However, I believe that the decision made by the Russian State Duma, which effectively calls for the restoration of the Soviet Union, poses a serious threat to the freedom and independence of Georgia, to the choice that our people made a long time ago, many centuries ago, and reaffirmed five years ago. That is why our meeting today has special importance. The unanimity that rules at this meeting is especially important. | am sure that every person of common sense in our country will subscribe to our position. The decision of the State Duma is dangerous because it contains a powerful bomb that may lead to a new explo- sion and further bloodshed in Russia and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. There can be no other possi- ble scenario. Otherwise, their call will remain on paper. But they approved that document in order to ensure that it should not remain on paper. | will repeat what my colleagues, including Mr. Zurab Zhvania, have said: In many countries, the threat of Bolshevism is no longer a specter. It is a significant movement that tries to re- store something to restore that will be another crime against humanity, a most serious crime against human- ity, against all peoples and states. ht may be better for Georgia to be a little less outspoken and make less noise. | know that my opponents will say that Abkhazia needs to be regained. and it will be difficult tor us to do « without Russia. The probiem ot the Tskhinvali region has to be solved as well. We have FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 economic problems and we badly need to maintain ties with Russia and restore many things that were unwisely rejected in the past. Is there any need for a small country like ours to react so strongly to the decision of Russia’s supreme legislative body? Yes, there is. It is necessary. [applause] You know full well from history, especially from our own history, that a disease must be dealt with before it takes hold and spreads and before the flesh starts to rot. I want to express my strong views about that decision today, because it fundamentally contradicts the interests of our people, the interests of all citizens of Georgia. It fundamentally contradicts everything we have nurtured, cherished, and worked on for decades and centuries. I would like to pay tribute not only to the people who voted for Georgian independence five years ago, but also to everyone who fought for the country’s freedom and independence throughout its history. [passage omitted] We may be in real troubie today, because we are among the first in the former Soviet Union to declare that the Soviet Union will not be restored. It will not be restored {applause} | repeat that those who call for that are committing a crime against humanity. [passage omitted] Whoever comes to power in Russia, even if it is someone as radical as Viktor Anpilov [leader of the Russian Communist Workers Party] or my old trend Yegor Ligachev [former hard-line Soviet leader], whom, I know, you love very much [laughs], Abkhazia will sull remain an indelible part of Georgia, whatever happens Russia is no longer a country in which every tsar had to gain new territory for his empire. That time has passed, and it now belongs to history. Abkhazia will stay within Georgia. If the Russian mediation proves fruitiess...[pauses] I still believe that *ve may be able to achieve some results. Tomorrow, | am meeting the defense minister [Pavel Grachev]. The foreign minister [Yevgeniy Prmakov] ts also planning to come here, and we wil! continue our dialogue. However, if it all fails, then the Abkhaz and Georgians, as well as the Georgians and Ossetians will realize that we have to tackle our problems ourselves [passage omitted] Georgia: Russian Defense Minister Arrives To Inspect Troops LD3003173796 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1622 GMT 30 Mar 9% {FBIS Transcribed Text} TBILISI, March 40 (INTER- FAX) — Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev ar- nved at a Russian military base in Georgia-Vaziami Sat- urday This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is profabited without permission of the Copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-063 1 April 1996 Grachev told an Interfax correspondent that he planned to see for himself the situation in the Group of Russian Troops in the Trans-Caucasus and examine the units’ military capabilities on March 30-31. Grachev will also consider a report by the Group of Russian Troops command regarding the situation among the troops and social problems concerning the servicemen, “primarily housing.” “Simultaneously with my work in the troops, experts of the Russian Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces General Staff will conduct consultations with their Georgian colleagues on the final drafting of the doc- uments that are to be signed in Thilisi on April 2." he said. The official conference between the leadership of the two countries’ defense, ministries will begin on Monday, April 1, Grachev said. “A total of between 20 and 25 documents is expected to be considered,” he said. The key documents clarify the plan for military and military- CAUCASUS $7 and-technological cooperation beiween the two defense ministries during 1996-1997, Grachev said. The conference on April 1-2 will be “the largest ever held session between representatives of the Russian and Georgian defense ministries,” he said. Grachev said he also intended to meet with the Georgian leadership “to discuss issues defined by the Russian and Georgian presidents, Boris Yeltsin and Eduard Shevardnadze, during their latest meeting in Moscow.” The Georgian leadership and Grachev will in particular concentrate on the settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia (a breakaway Georgian province) and prospects for changing the status of peacekeepers in this region, + well-informed source in Tbilisi told Interfax. The ussian defense minister and the Georgian leadership we also expected to consider the strengthening of the Russian-Georgian border in its Chechen section, the source said. This report may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination ts prohibited without permiwien of the copynght owners a ee eee ee ree oF mee Foreige Crondcont information Service (FBIS). Its contents in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the U.S. Government. FBIS collects, translates, disseminates, othe Mate ape sic «~~ Bracketed indicators before the first sentence of each item describe the way in which the material was processed by FBIS. ~~ Headlines and all bracketed explanatory notes are supplied by FBIS. -— Personal and place names are rendered in accordance with the decisions of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as adapted by FBIS. Unverified spelled phoneicaly: words and pivass parentheses preceded bya Sed gt oa gu to subscribe to Subscriptions are available from the FBIS publication, or to indicate a National Technical Information Service: pea co of address contact: NTIS FBIS 5285 Port Royal Road P.O. Box 2604 ingfield, VA 22161 Washington, DC 20013-2604 T : (703) 487-4630 Telephone: (202) 338-6735 FAX: (703) 321-8547 FAX: (703) 733-6042 New subscribers should expect a 30-day delay in receipt of the first issue.