S#aaerr (eo: 8 8 ta2agas ARUP s Daily Report— Central Eurasia Daily Report Central Eurasia FBIS-SOV-95-199 CONTENTS 16 October 1995 NOTICE: An * indicates material not previously disseminated in electronic form. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Key Developments Chernomyrdin Interviewed Following NDR Conference in Ufa [Moscow ORT] .0.........c0sc0s0000+ Agrarians Collect 2 Million Signatures for Registration [ITAR-TASS] — .............scssssesesseesseseeseeees Movement Created To Support Agrarian Party Candidates [ITAR-TASS] . oie Disinformation Campaign Seeks To Blacken Lebed, KRO [PRAVDA 14 Oct] ..........ccccccssseeeeee Pensioners Claim Coercion Into NDR Support /[PRAVDA ROSSII 5 Oct] nee Grachev Sets Up Electoral Commission at Defense Ministry [Moscow Radio] ...........s..ssss0000 IZVESTIYA Apologizes for ‘Inaccuracy’ in Earlier Report [12 Oct] .........c.ss00000 , List of LDPR Candidates for Single-Seat Districts /[ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 28 Sep] _............. Election Guidelines Daily Explains Law Regarding Double Candidacies [ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 7 Oct] _ ............. Forecasts & Commentary Zyuganov Interviewed on Elections, Possible Alliances [Madrid EL MUNDO 13 Oct] _............. Daily Comments on Gonchar’s View of Election Scene [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 6 Oct] _......... Kuzbass Miners’ Warning Strike Seen as Election Exercise [NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA 12 Oct] Moscow Residents Polled on Voting Intentions [Moscow ORT] .........cccsccsssessesscecessseeeeescescesseees INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS OSCE Regional Office Opens in Tashkent [NARODNOYE SLOVO 12 Oct] ..cccscssscssosssseseseresnsreneneesers ITAR-TASS Carries Press Review for 14 October — .........secssssersserssssssssssessesnsecsssseseseesscesessnenserereseseeseees RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Gas Contract Signed With Bosnian Muslims, Serbs [ITAR-TASS] ........c.csccsssssssessssseseeessnseeeneseeeesensesees UN Representative Condemns Bosnian Violations [ITAR-TASS] — ........c.sscsesesssseseseesensnsenensnsesseeeseseeees ‘Concern’ on Bosnia Cease-Fire Non-Observance Noted [ITAR-TASS] .......c..ccsccsscesceeesecceeceeeeeeseeseenees Kozyrev Cited on Foreign Policy, Political Future [Moscow NTV] pablasGuicetioianmatnntiimedihermenens Zotov: Contact Group To Rationalize Efforts in Bosnia [ITAR-TASS] .........c.ccsssscsessssseeseseeeesessenseneeees Russian-NATO Meeting Discusses Bosnia Peace Plan [ITAR-TASS] .........scsssscssesseseeseseeensseesesseseseesese NATO Secretary General Interviewed on Bosnia [Moscow ORT] Shumeyko: Stance on NATO Expansion ‘Understood’ [INTERFAX] on sin Official Discusses Joint Oil Projects With Cuba [ITAR-TASS] ........cscsccccessssssseesesssssensessseeseseeseseseensneees Trade Agreements Signed; Visit Ends [ITAR-TASS] — .......c.c.cssssssssssssssesesessesssesesseessensesceseescesesereees Soskovets Trip Seen as Message to U.S. [IZVESTIYA 14 Oct] .....c.ceccssssssesseensesesseersnseseneeseesnsenes Fuel Minister Hails Decision on Caspian Oil Routes /ITAR-TASS] i Two-Pipeline Solution for Azerbaijan Oil ‘Temporary’ [ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 14 Oct] — .........00000: Zatulin: Giorgadze’s Extradition, Azeri Oil Connected [Moscow Radio] .........c.ssssssssssseseseeseeesnsnvenseeees ROK Ambassador Praises Operation To Free Hostages [Moscow 2x2 TV] ...ccccscssessesssesesessesesenseneceees Talbott’s Visit Seen as Narrowing ‘Differences’ [INTERFAX] .......s.c.csssssssssessessesesssesesssssnsnseecnsneesssesees Foreign Ministry Communique on Kozyrev-Udovenko Talks [ITAR-TASS] — ........scscssscesssesesseeesseseseeses -hWWNNK — FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 2 Lysenko Reportedly Threatened by UNA-UNSO [UNIAR] Chita Proposes Russia-PRC Border Dispute Settlement [SEGODNYA 13 Oct] Deputy Foreign Minister Views Relations With Poland [Poznan WPROST 15 Oct] .........0.0s0000 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Political Issues Terrorist Killed in Hijack of Tour Bus Outside Kremlin _................ ITAR-TASS Gives Account of Hijacking Kulikov Pleased With Operation [Moscow NTV] Yeltsin Signs Law on Regulation of Foreign Trade [ITAR-TASS] sestennnsdabenedie Kozyrev Prepared To Resign if Yeltsin So Wishes [INTERFAX] ............s.cssssssssssessssesesseees Zaveryukha: Yeltsin Backs Further Support for Agriculture [INTERFAX] ............s.csssese00 Chernomyrdin Addresses NDR’s Prospects, Rumors, Chechnya [Moscow NTV] _ .........:00 Chernomyrdin Applauds Duma Proceedings on 1996 Budget [Moscow RTV] Panskov, Duma Officials Comment on Draft [Moscow NTV] Premier: Government To Fulfill Obligations to Pensioners [INTERFAX] Cherromyrdin: 1995 Overall Industrial Output To Fall 3% [INTERFAX] ..........scccssseseeeees Agrarian Leader Pleased Premier Dropped Land Referendum [INTERFAX] _ ............00.0++ Skokov Denies Rumors of Yeltsin’s Offer for Premier’s Post [INTERFAX] ...........csscs00000 Baturin Sees Crime, Islamic Factor as Key Security Threats [IZVESTIYA 14 Oct] _ ............ Gaydanov’s Program To Get Procuracy ‘Out of Crisis’ [Moscow NTV] _........ "iat Interviewed on Debate Over ‘Forming’ Upper House [MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS 10 Media Issues Chubays, Others Accused of Misuse of Russian TV Funds [Moscow RTV] ........cs.ccesseesees Military Issues Defense Ministry Augments Groups in Northern Caucasus [INTERFAX] ..........cssescssssseseees Manufacturer Advertises MiG Fighters to NATO Countries [SEGODNYA I1 Oct] _........... Draft Program Envisages Elimination of CW To Begin 1997 [Moscow RTV] _ .........ccssssse00 Federal Assembly Duma Spurns Premier's Olive Branch on Budget [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 14 Oct] _.......... Draft Budget Spells ‘Catastrophe’ for Army [KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 12 Oct] Duma Concessions on Upper House Law Seen as ‘Sham’ /ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 13 Oct] Duma Discusses Resolutions on Rebuilding Chechnya [INTERFAX] Human Rights Commissioner Bill Not Adopted by Duma [INTERFAX] Zhirinovskiy Calls For Curbs on Freedom of Press [INTERFAX] Regional Affairs Chechnya Reportage: Negotiations, Military, Terrorism Lobov Outlines Priorities of Visit [Radio Rossii] Lobov on Need To Continue With Talks [Radio Rossii] _........ Grachev: No Resumption of ‘Hostilities’ [INTERFAX] Basayev Claims To Have Radioisotopes [INTERFAX] Basayev Displays Radioactive Container [INTERFAX] _............ Dudayev Said To Order Chechens’ Captured [INTERFAX] 30 31 FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 3 Kidnapped Vendenskiy Official Found Dead [Moscow RTV] ......scscsssssssssesssssseesneneneneensnes Chernomyrdin Attacks ‘Provocations’ [ITAR-TASS] Kulikov Interviewed on Chechnya [Moscow NTV] Secret Services’ Complicity Hinted /OBSHCHAYA GAZETA 12-18 Oct] eeeeereeeeroes Eyewitnesses Tell of Village Airstrikes [ITAR-TASS] Air Force Denies Bombing Raids [/ITAR-TASS] Military Launches Airstrike Investigation [ITAR-TASS] — ..........cssssssssssssssnsesessesssseesensensesees Spokesman Claims 17 Killed in Airstrikes [INTERFAX] — ......c.cssccsssssssssseserssesseessseeneneneeees seeeeeeeeceree Meszaros ‘Shocked’ by Raid on Roshni-Chu [INTERFAX] .....scsscssssscsssesssssnceessssessenssesees Meszaros: No Alternative to Peace Talks [ITAR-TASS] — .....ccccccecsscsesscesssecscscescececeeeeseeeees Meszaros Involved in Car Accident / INTERFAX] Commission To Meet Outside Groznyy [INTERFAX] Dudayev Delegation Asked To Relocate [INTERFAX] — ......c.scsccssssssssssssesssenssessnssesnsesensneses Baturin: Talks Without Dudayev Possible [Moscow NTV] __ ......... Basayev: No Elections Until Troops Withdraw [INTERFAX] Dudayev Group Against Holding Elections [INTERFAX] — .......s.ssssssscsssercsessssnscsseseeeseseeees Achkhoy-Martan Told To Surrender Arms [ITAR-TASS] — ...c.sccssccsssessesessssessssesssenecnsensesees Gen. Vliasenkov on Chechen Situation [INTERFAX] ....s..cscsccsssssersssssessssssesscssnssersnsensseeeees Chernomyrdin Promises All Help for Romanov [Moscow NIV] .rccccssessssessesesseveesesseeeeees Kuzbass Miners Protest; Strike Does Not Materialize [IZVESTIYA 13 Oct] — .......sscsssssssessesesesseee Ilyumzhinov Reelected Kalmykia President [INTERFAX] ........:.sssssssesssesssessesssnessesnsnseneneseseeenenees Tatarstan’s Premier Notes Stabilization of Economy [ITAR-TASS] ..........ssssssssssssssesssssessecesseeses Transcaucasus Forces Leader Reut Visits Ajaria [KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 12 Oct] Economic Issues Yeltsin Calls For Corrections to Draft 1996 Budget [INTERFAX] .......s.scssssssesessessssssensecersesseeees Livshits Sees Draft Budget as Basis for Compromise [SEGODNYA 14 Oct] .......cssssssesseseeeeesees Comptroller’s Office Questions Budget Assumptions [IZVESTIYA 13 Oct] Chernomyrdin, Vasilyev Cited on Economy, Inflation [ITAR-TASS] Premier: State Employees’ Back Wages To Be Paid [INTERFAX] . ...... seeeeee seeeneeeeces Premier Highlights Positive Developments in Economy [ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 14 Oct] Yasin: Financial Stabilization Process To Continue [ITAR-TASS] — ........sccsssscssssessssssseenseesenesseseess Gathering, Processing of Income Statistics Viewed [TRUD 13 Oct] — ...ccccccsecssssssseseseseseneseeeeeneeees Lack of Fuel May Cause Powerplants To Cut Supplies [SEGODNYA 12 Oct] UKRAINE International Affairs NATO Delegation Meets Ukrainian Officials in Kiev [UNIAN] _ ........:.:ssesssseseee eeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeceee NATO Official on Nuclear Arms Deployment [INTERFAX] _ .........scssesssssseseseesseseeceeeeeees Udovenko, Kozyrev Talks Focus on Bosnia Crisis [INTERFAX] Udovenko: Yeltsin Need Not Visit Kiev To Sign Treaty [INTERFAX] __....... Kiev Insists BSF Issue Be Discussed by Experts [INTERFAX] eeeee BSF Reconnaissance Vessels To Be Transferred to Russia [INTERFAX] Moroz Discusses Ukraine’s Entry to CIS Assembly [UNIAN] Hungarian Speaker Addresses Supreme Council on Cooperation [UNIAN] Speaker Hoping For Ukraine’s CE Admission [INTERFAX] National Affairs Moroz Denies Inability To Cooperate With President [UNIAN] eeeeeeeee 71 FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 4 Central Eurasia State Commission Changes Kiev’s Spelling to Kyiv [NIAN] as 71 Government Opposes Resolution on Subsistence Leve! [INTERFAX] 71 EBRD Proposes Alternatives to Chernobyl Power Plant|/Duesseldorf HANDELSBLATT 12 Oct }- 72 Chernobyl! Closure Discussed With G-7 Experts [UNIAN] 72 Nuclear Waste Depository To Be Built at Chernobyl [INTERFAX] 73 Zaporozhskaya Plant To Increase Generating Capacity \/ INTERFAX] 73 Economic Issues Marchuk Calls For ‘Serious’ Foreign Investment [INTERFAX] ..........:csccsssssssssseescsscesscsseessencesees 73 Cabinet Criticizes Parliament’s Low-Income Threshold |[Kiev TV] ........c.sssssssssssscssercsscsesceeseeeees 74 Parliament Sets Higher Poverty Level [INTELNEWS] .........ssscsssscssssssessssscsssssssesessscssscsssssscssscececs 75 Deputy Premier Specifies Gas Purchases for 1996 [INFDBANK] .......sssscsccssssssosssssssesscsscacsnseesees 75 Payments Crisis Said Not Caused by Assets Shortage [WNIAN] ....scccccsesssssssssssssssssesssseccessesscsees 75 Communists Criticize Government’s Economic Program [Kiev International] .........s.scsessessseeee 76 WESTERN REGION Belarus Lukashenka Orders Resumed Dismantling of Military Armor [ITAR-TASS] .........:ssssssssssessseeees 77 U.S. Experts Check Resumption of Arms Destruction [BELAPAN] .....ccsccssssssssssssssssssssssssessesees 77 Russian Officers Said To Commit Abuses in Bykhovo Garrison [Moscow Radio] .......s.s.s000 77 Chyhir: Economy “May Not Stand’ Increase in Wages [BELAPAN] ........ssscssssssssesssssessescssssncees 77 Constitutional Court Regards Supreme Soviet as Legitimate [SEGODNYA 12 Oct] — ........s.s000 78 Social Democrats Statement Supports Independent TU [BIELAPAN] ..........ccscsssssessescesseeesee seeeee 78 Moldova ~ oa Orientation Toward “Western Values’ [Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE 13 om Snegur, Kohl Sign Agreement To Promote Relations [INFOTAG] sicsccsccuesesusuensesusnene 79 Dniester Leader Says Chisinau Against Constructive Talks JINTERFAX] ....ccccsscssssssssseseerseeeees 79 Snegur Asks Smirnov To Free Arrested Policemen [BASAPRESS] .......cccscsscsssssssssssesceseesceseeeeees 80 CENTRAL ASIA Kazakhstan Russians, Kazakhs To Have Joint Border Patrols [/KARABAN-BLITZ 11 Oct] 81 President Reorganizes Media Authorities [Almaty TV] _....... 81 Kyrgyzstan Bolshakov, Russian Delegation Arrive OM Visit — ........cccssscsssscnsessscssssessssesesssssscsssssesessssasecseceseces 81 Akayev Receives Visiting Delegation [Bishkek Radio] — .....c.sccscssssssssssssssssrenssssesessecencecencees 81 Akayev Receives Deputy Prime Minister [INTERFAX] — ......s.sscscscccssssssssessssssssesssssssencecssnes 81 Cooperation Agreements Signed [Bishkek Radio] — ......c..ccsssessees ne 82 Pres. dent Akayev Launches Election Campaign [KABAR] 82 Tajikistan CIS Peacekeeping Commander Defends Deployment of Brigade [INTERFAX] _ ..........ssssssssesseee 83 Further on Bobryshev News Conference [INTERFAX] _.......... a 83 Opposition Forces Reject Russian Troop Commander’s ‘Lies’ [Voice of Free Tajikistan] .......... 84 Opposition Figure Criticizes Russian Accusations [Voice of Free Tajikistan] .........sssssssssesssees 84 FBIS-SGV-95-199 16 October 1995 5 Central Eurasia Commander of Opposition Group Interviewed [Moscow NTV] _ ....c.c.ssssssessssesesssesessnsnssesersensssenenes 84 Opposition Leader Returns From Talks in Iran, Pakistan [Voice of Free Tajikistan] — ...........0 85 Uzbekistan Cooperation Memorandum Signed With Tajikistan /PRAVDA VOSTOKA 13 Oct] ..........0.s00000+ 85 Seminar on Preservation of Aral Sea Continues [ITAR-TASS] ...........ccccccssssssscssscesceseseeseessseseeees 85 Joint Christian-Muslim Conference Ends in Tashkent /ITAR-TASS] aie 86 CAUCASUS Armenia Ter-Petrosyan To Address UN General Assembly [NOYAN TAPAN] ......ccscscsssesssssssssseessesseeesees 87 Figures Given on Russian Assumption of Debt [NOYAN TAPAN] _ ..........s0ss0s000 87 Visiting Iranian Minister Comments on Relations [NOYAN TAPAN] _....... 87 Meets With Vice President {Tehran IRNA] 88 Azerbaijan President Promises Cease-Fire Observance in Karabakh [INTERFAX] ........cccccccccsscessesseesceeeeeee 88 IMF Plan for Economy Criticized as ‘Scam’ [ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 14 Oct] .....c.cccesseseesees 88 Citibank To Finance Oil Field Development [IZVESTIYA 13 Oct] ....s..cscscsssssesessesessssseseeseseeseenes 89 Legal Proceedings Continue Against Journalists [INTERFAX] ........c.scssscssssssssseseesnseseeesennsreeseees 90 Georgia Former Security Chief Blames Russia for Terrorist Acts [JPRINDA] More on Batiashvili News Conference [Moscow RTV] ......s.sessesessssssssssessesnsenseeneeseseeeneeneees Tbilisi Negotiates Treaty on Cooperation With EU [INTERFAX] a Abkhazia Asks UN To Help Extradite Murder Suspects [Sukhumi Radio] - Polls Indicate Shevardnadze Supported by 55 Percent [CONTACT INFORMATION AGENCY] FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Key Developments Chernomyrdin Interviewed Following NDR Conference in Ufa LD1210145595 [FBIS Editorial Report] Moscow Russian Public Tele- vision First Channel Network in Russian at 0540 GMT on 12 October on the "Teleutro” program carries a six- minute report on Ufa and the Russia Is Our Home [NDR] conference held during a recent visit there by Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin. The program: in- cludes a recording of an “exclusive” interview with Chernomyrdin by an unidentified correspondent during his visit to Ufa on 10 and 11 October. Chernomyrdin is shown speaking to the correspondent at a horse racetrack. He states: "You know, we have this long-standing question, which is now an issue: how much power we should keep to ourselves and how much we should give to the regions. We agree that the Lord God is not going to provide everything, especially with the system that is being developed here. "I have to say that we do have work to do at the federal level and on the regional level. We must not be afraid to make decisions on this, on the contrary. The thing is that it has to be done here and they have to do it themselves, locally. There really is work to be done, and we have to get down to it. The most important thing is that it should be in line with the law. The agreements being signed have to be comprehensible and reasonable and should clearly demarcate the tasks; and must be built up within the framework of the Constitution. "The deal, i.e., the agreement on the demarcation of powers that we are signing today, on what we have to do, is being done in line with the Constitution. We have to do this more quickly, we have to be bolder in doing it. As you know, I am convinced that we are on the right track, that we have people who understand and know what has to be done; but most importantly, what must be done while implementing the Constitution and what we have to do generally for the country, for the great power. Strong regions mean a strong Russia. Do we really have to oppose this"? The reporter points out that Bashkortostan has been a sovereign entity longer than Chernomyrdin has been prime minister. Chernomyrdin responds: “That is right, yes. Of course, I would have liked to have (?gotten there) earlier, but I am convinced that now we have come through the most difficult time. Painful and difficult as it has been for us, the most critical, the crisis, is over. I am sure that 1996 will be somewhat better for us. Right now it all depends on us. We need calm, we need considered, responsible and calm work. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 1 “We need legislation and we need our legislative work to be quicker, we need to constantly improve and review it, and, most importantly, all this will eventually enable us to improve everything else. I am convinced this will improve the growth in output and then there will be political stability. This will, first, be reflected in the economy, although a little improvement in the political sphere would not do any harm either. I would not want one area to harm the other. There are the people. Look." Chernomyrdin’s welcoming ceremony at the airport is then shown followed by a clip of him and Ramazan Abdulatipov addressing a hall of people from the NDR movement. The correspondent explains that for all the debate over the relative positions of the regions and Moscow within Russia, Bashkortostan is one of the most prosperous of the regions in the Federation. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaymiyev is shown addressing the meeting. Over video of people in the foyer, the correspondent explains that Bashkiria is marking the fifth anniversary of sovereignty. Agrarians Collect 2 Million Signatures for Registration LD1410150595 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1414 GMT 14 Oct 95 [By Aleksey Subbotin] (FBIS Transcribed Text] ULAN-UDE, October 14 (ITAR-TASS) — The Agrarian Party of Russia (APR) has completed its signature campaign, collecting two million signatures to registrate for the elections to the State Duma (Russian parliament lower house), which will be submitted to the Central Electoral Commission on Monday, party chairman Mikhail Lapshin said here on Saturday. Lapshin starts a three-day tour of Buryatia today. The APR is ready to put forth an initiative, right after the elections to the State Duma, to start joint consul- tations of left-wing, centre-left and centrist forces on pinpointing a single candidate for the 1996 presidential elections in Russia, Lapshin noted. The Russian Communist Party, parties and blocs of socialist orientation, trade unions and goods producers can be participants in such consultations. The APR leader stressed that left-wing forces cannot permit themselves a luxury to act single-handed during the 1996 elections. Lapshin’s programme of the Buryatian tour provides for visiting agricultural districts and a speech at a republican meeting of agricultural producers, which will open in Ulan-Ude on October 16. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 2 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Movement Created To Support Agrarian Party Candidates LD1310173495 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1536 GMT 13 Oct 95 (By Tamara Ivanova] ([FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, October 13 (ITAR-TASS) — A public movement has been cre- ated to support candidates running elections from the Agrarian Party of Russia (APR). ITAR-TASS learned from the APR faction’s press ser- vice that about 300 representatives of the agrarian and industrial sector and public representatives from various regions of Russia met members of the movement at the Russian Ministry of Agriculture headquarters. APR leader Mikhail Lapshin called the creation of the movement as a “logical step in the development of the Agrarian Party," whose membership, as he said, now stands at 350,000 people. The main task of the move- ment is to lend multilateral support to APR candidates on the party’s general federal list, as well as single man- date electoral districts. The movement’s representatives are expected to form a powerful "supporting group" of the agrarian and industrial sector, manifesting intense activity at all stages of its election campaign from col- lecting signatures to held election propaganda. As far as collecting signatures is concerned, the press service of the agrarian and industrial sector said that this work is about to be over and by the beginning of the next week the sector plans to submit the required number of signatures to the Central Electoral Commission. Disinformation Campaign Seeks To Blacken Lebed, KRO MMI1610141695 Moscow PRAVDA in Russian 14 Oct 95 p4 [Article by Maxim Goloviev: "Shot in the Back. General Lebed Is at War Again. Information War") (FBIS Translated Text) A few days ago the editorial offices of a number of periodicals received some cam- paign leaflets with very curious contents. The leaflets depicted a grinning General Aleksandr Lebed assuring the electorate: "I will teach you to love the motherland." It gets better — the leaflet (if you believe the text) be- longs to the People’s Labor Alliance [NTS], which is apparently appealing to people “to give their votes to deputies who are running for the State Duma on the lists of the Congress of Russian Communities [KRO], and first and foremost for General Lebed." The leaflet ends with a clear-cut statement — "Russia needs his firm hand." FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Given that the NTS has denied that it participated in the preparation of this information material, if you could call it that, the leaflet could be shrugged off as someone’s mad ravings if this had been the only fabrication. Incidentally, the leaflet was quite simply full of errors (maybe deliberate?): It contains an appeal to vote for "deputies running for the State Duma," whereas anyone who knows anything whatsoever about politics knows that only candidate deputies can run for the Duma. However, the surprises do not end with the leaflet. A certain "INFRA-M news research bureau" (to be blunt, we are dealing with an obvious newcomer, at least so far no one had ever heard of this bureau) cizculated a report according to which, "from a well- isformed source close to the top leadership of the KRO," the INFRA-M news research bureau has found something out. According to this something, "a few days ago Gen. A.I. Lebed had a meeting shrouded in secrecy with the leadership of the NTS, which has long been known for its collaboration with the German Wehrmacht during the war (through Vlasov’s army) and the Western special services (the Secret Intelligence Service, the CIA, and the Bundesnachrichtendienst) in the postwar period." The source close to the KRO leadership presented INFRA-M with the information that the NTS’s proposals on the participation of the NTS in Gen. Lebed’s Duma election campaign, with sights set on the 1996 election campaign, were discussed at the meeting. In order to achieve this aim, the NTS center located in Frankfurt am Main allocated an automobile (a lavish present) "for Lebed’s closest aide in the 14th Army," Colonel Anatoliy Platitsin, and "provided for the manufacture in Germany of advertising materials (T- shirts carrying Lebed’s portrait, posters, matches and lighters carrying Lebed’s portrait, and also a special consignment of ‘General Lebed’ cigarettes). [no closing quotation mark] You get the impression that someone very much wants to discredit Gen. Lebed and the KRO. It would seem that the method that has been chosen is not a new one, but one from the 1930’s — pinning on Gen. Lebed the label "spy of all intelligence services." Meanwhile, the target of the forgeries is fairly subtly conceived. The words "I will teach you to love the motherland" attributed to Lebed are designed to frighten away the socialist associations which are part of the KRO. At the same time, the "exposed" tie between Lebed and the NTS would put the patriotically minded voters on their guard and trouble them. In this connection it is worth noting an article in NOVAYA YEZHEDNEVNAYA GAZETA entitled “Whom Did Lebed Call." The article constitutes a This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 report by Police Lieutenant Colonel S.V. Karasev, deputy chief of the RSFSR Service for the Security and Protection of Government Installations, in which A. Lebed is "convicted" of allegedly not protecting the "White House" but wanting to seize it in August 1991. Evidently the article is supposed to drive apart the participants in the August 1991 defense of the House of the Soviets on the one hand and the KRO and Lebed on the other. The first sentence in the article stands out: "People are collecting signatures ‘for Lebed’ and ‘for Rutskoy’ at the Taganskaya subway station." This is a blatant lie — people do not gather signatures for both at the same time, because the KRO and “Derzhava" are political rivals. The conclusion is also very strange — that, having such compromising material on the serviceman, you can order him both to storm the "White House" in 1993 and fight in Chechnya. Meanwhile, Gen. Aleksandr Lebed, as we know, has nothing to do with either because he was commander of the 14th Army in the Dniester Region at the time. We have here the fabrication of compromising material on Aleksandr Lebed, and the forms, methods, and ploys are irrelevant. It will not be at all surprising if, before long, we obtain "information" to the effect that the general traded in poor quality consumer goods or something along those lines. Some people are irritated by the fact that the political rating of the KRO and one of its leaders — the fighting Gen. Lebed — is constantly rising, and that people are turning up at the public reception rooms set up by the KRO, having despaired of meeting with understanding and support in the offices of high-ranking officials. And since it is impossible to shut the congress up, attempts are beginning to be made to discredit its leaders. However, it should be remembered that it is hard to find dirty linen where there is none. Pensioners Claim Coercion Into NDR Support 964F0064A Moscow PRAVDA ROSSII in Russian 5 Oct 95 p3 [Articie by Anatoliy Belozertsev: "Signature or Bread!"] {[FBIS Translated Text] Our correspondent in Chelyabinsk received a telephone call from Salakh Rakhimyanovich Karipov, an invalid of the Great Patriotic War, who recounted the following: "The wife and I are advanced in years. We leave home just to go for a walk. Food is brought to us by Nina Filippovna Bryabina, an employee of the Sovetskiy Rayon social assistance center. We thank her for this. But then last Friday she came to us at home, set out some bread and other food, and suggested to my wife (I was not home) that she sign the signature list for Russia Is Our Home [NDR]. My wife refused to do this. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 3 "The whole thing was repeated again on Monday, this time in my presence. I also categorically refused to sign. Then Bryabina angrily declared: “What, do you not want me to bring you bread in the future?’ It is difficult for me to say what was concealed behind these words— a threat, or fear of losing a job. But the fact that the administration of the rayon is compelling its workers to collect signatures in favor of pseudo-reformers who are ruining our country disturbed me and my wife. We were also disturbed by the fact that, besides the seven names that were already there, our last name, patronymics, and first names, our address, and even passport data had already been written in without our knowledge. All that had to be done was for us to sign. Fine, we understood what was what, but, after all, there are a lot of people among our brother pensioners, and especially invalids, who can be easily duped. I think that it is dishonest and even immoral to collect signatures for the ‘party in power.”" To satisfy myself of the authenticity of what S. Karipov said, I visited the Sovetskiy Rayon people's social assistance center. Assembled in the office of Director G. Dorogovaya were her deputy, V. Kamenev, and the supervisor of the sector for assistance to invalids at home, M. Saprykina. All three saw nothing illegal in the fact that they were obliged to collect signatures for NDR. But they doubted very much that their employee, N. Bryabina, had done this by frightening pensioners. | had to get Karipov’s home telephone number. After a difficult conversation with the war invalid, the managers of the center became convinced that their employee had Stepped over the line. "Well, they collected signatures, but what does that mean? Even so, almost all pensioners declare that they will vote for the communists,” M. Saprykina frankly confided to me. It would be very nice if this note were to be seen by the managers of the Central Electoral Commission and if they would give a legal evaluation in PRAVDA ROSSII of the collection of signatures by workers of the people's social assistance center who are directly subordinate to the local authorities. Grachev Sets Up Electoral Commission at Defense Ministry LD1310154795 Moscow Radiostantsiya Ekho Moskvy in Russian 1300 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] A special commission has been set up at the Defense Ministry on the instructions of Pavel Grachev. The commission will organise the elections in the armed forces, AFP reported. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 4 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES At least 100 high-tanking Russian officers are to stand the December parliamentary elections, and the commis- sion will have to select candidates and then to streamline the voting process in the armed units, a Defense Min- istry source said. Defense Minister Grachev did not sign any documents on the setting up of a commission to organise the elections at the Defense Ministry, Pavel Grachev’s press secretary Yelena Agapova said in an interview with our radio station: [Begin Agapova recording] One document has been prepared and exists in reality. The document concerns the improvement of legal standards among both voters and organizers of the elections in the armed forces. The document mainly describes who should explain what, and it only concerns the technical side of the elections. It is explanatory work, and nothing more. [end recording] IZVESTIYA Apologizes for ‘Inaccuracy’ in Earlier Report MMI1210122795 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 12 Oct 95 p2 {IZVESTIYA Editorial Office "Correction"] (FBIS Translated Text] An IZVESTIYA article on 30 September this year, entitled “Nikolay Ryzhkov Allies With Jordanian Editor of Anti-Semitic Newspaper,” re- ported that Shaaban Khafez Shaaban [name as translit- erated] has not acquired citizenship of the Russian Fed- eration. As S. Altapov, chief of the Moscow City In- ternal Affairs Visas and Registrations Administration, has stated in an official letter to the editorial office, this does not correspond with the facts and V. Tikhomirov, a staffer of the Visas and Registrations Administration, who was quoted in the report, did not provide that in- formation. We apologize for the inaccuracy in our report. List of LDPR Candidates for Single-Seat Districts 954E1511B Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 28 Sep 95 pp 5-6 {List of Liberal Democratic Party Election Association candidates for State Duma deputy in single-seat districts, signed by Congress Chairman A.D. Vengerovskiy and Congress Secretary I.A. Karpukhin, copy notarized by RF Central Electoral Commission Decree 12/94-II of 5 September 1995] (FBIS Translated Text} FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Adyge Republic (Adygea) Adygeyskiy Electoral District No 1 Aleynikov, Viktor Alekseyevich, b. 4 June 1942, coordinator of Takhtamukayskiy Rayon LDPR [Lib- eral Democratic Party of Russia) organization, res. Yablokovskiy, Adygea. Altay Republic Gorno-Altayskiy Electoral District No 2 Tyunin, Nikolay Aleksandrovich, b. 12 October 1957, deputy secretary of kray LDPR committee, res. Bashtap, Ust-Koksinskiy Rayon, Altay Republic. Bashkortostan Republic Birskiy Electoral District No 3 Vishnyakov, Viktor Grigoryevich, b. 22 January 1931, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kirovskiy Electoral District No 4 Iskhakov, Askhat Gammarovich, b. 16 April 1966, coordinator of Ufa public association “Zhirinovskiy’s Falcons,” res. Ufa. Oktyabrskiy Electoral District No 5 Astafyev, Nikolay Pavlovich, b. 26 December 1940, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Lyubertsy, Moscow Oblast. Sibayskiy Electoral District No 6 Shcherbakov, Boris Matveyevich, b. 5 March 1953, worker at Beloretsk Tractor Strip and Coil Spring Plant, res. Beloretsk. Sterlitamakskiy Electoral District No 7 Petrov, Vyacheslav Vasilyevich, b. 26 September 1946, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal As- sembly, res. Ufa. Tuymazinskiy Electoral District No 8 Dergunov, Sergey Fedorovich, b. 1 February 1955, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Zhukovskiy, Moscow Oblast. Republic of Buryatia Buryatskiy Electoral District No 9 Medvedev, Georgiy Aleksandrovich, b. 24 September 1940, chief engineer of Water Management Committee of Republic of Buryatia, res. Ulan-Ude. : t may tain copyrighted terial. C . and disse : . is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 5 Dagestan Republic Republic of Mari El Buynakskiy Electoral District No 10 Mariyskiy Electoral District No 18 Nasrullayev, Asadulla Gamzayevich, b. 20 January 1959, deputy chairman of Usisha Village Kolkhoz, res. Usisha, Akushinskiy Rayon, Dagestan. Makhachkalinskiy Electoral District No 11 Guseynov, Akhmed-Khan Gamzayevich, b. | Septem- ber 1970, driver on Usisha Village Kolkhoz, res. Usisha, Akushinskiy Rayon, Dagestan. Ingush Republic Ingushskiy Electoral District No 12 Bogatyrev, Magomet Debirovich, b. 21 March 1956, head of Ordzhonikidze Village Administration, res. Ordzhonikidze, Sunzhenskiy Rayon, Ingushetia. Kabardino-Balkar Republic Kabardino-Balkarskiy Electoral District No 13 Dragunova, Valentina Ivanovna, b. 5 October 1952, vice president of Republic Cultural-Ecological Benevo- lent Fund, res. Mayskiy, Kabardino-Balkaria. Republic of Kalmykia—Khalmg Tangch _talmytskiy Electoral District No 14 Khosroyeva, Bela Nikolayevna, b. 23 October 1937, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, tes. Moscow. Karachay-Cherkess Republic Karachayevo-Cherkesskiy Electoral District No 15 Davydov, Viadimir Sergeyevich, b. 1 January 1958, coordinator of republic LDPR organization, res. Cherkessk. Republic of Karelia Karelskiy Electoral District No 16 Maksimov, Mikhail Aleksandrovich, b. 17 October 1949, deputy chief mechanic at "Onega Tractor Plant" joint-stock company, res. Petrozavodsk. Komi Republic Syktyvkarskiy Electoral District No 17 Ageyev, Sergey Viktorovich, b. 20 March 1961, chief economist of "Ochag” joint-stock company, res. Moscow. Markelov, Leonid Igorevich, b. 25 June 1963, Interre- public Bar Association attorney, res. Yoshkar-Ola. Republic of Mordovia Mordovskiy Electoral District No 19 Gridnev, Yuriy Sergeyevich, b. 9 June 1947, Saransk Municipal Council deputy, res. Saransk. Sakha Republic (Yakutia) Yakutskiy Electoral District No 20 Pozdnyakov, Yuriy Pavlovich, b. 14 August 1948, deputy chief of Yakutsk Administration, res. Yakutsk. North Ossetian Republic Severo-Osetinskiy Electoral District No 21 Ivanov, Viktor Petrovich, b. 17 March 1938, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Tatarstan Republic (Tatarstan) Almetyevskiy Electoral District No 22 Filimonov, Aleksandr Mikhaylovich, b. 9 September 1948, deputy director of frame molding plant of "Ka- mAZ" joint-stock company, res. Naberezhnyye Chelny. Moskovskiy Electoral District No 23 Tolstopyatov, Vladimir Ivanovich, b. 25 January 1949, editor of PRAVDA ZHIRINOVSKOGO (Kazan edition), res. Naberezhnyye Chelny. Naberezno-Chelninskiy Electoral District No 24 Skum, Dmitriy Aleksandrovich, b. 16 April 1961, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Nizhnekamskiy Electoral District No 25 Atlasov, Mikhail Mikhaylovich, b. 13 October 1946, director of “Laska" private enterprise, res. Naberezh- nyye Chelny. Privoizhskiy Electoral District No 26 Sedinin, Viktor Vladimirovich, b. 3 January 1961, deputy coordinator of republic LDPR organization, res. Kazan. Teport may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 6 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 16 October 1995 Tyva Republic Rubtsovskiy Electoral District No 36 Tuvinskiy Electoral District No 27 Zhogov, Valeriy Leonidovich, b. 20 November Kashin, Aleksandr Yuryevich, b. 12 June 1963, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Kyzyl. Udmurt Republic Izhevskiy Electoral District No 28 Bokhanov, Vitaliy Yevdokimovich, b. 24 August 1944, State Duma consultant of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Udmurtskiy Electoral District No 29 Mavlutdinov, Iidar Amiryamovich, b. 13 October 1964, coordinator of regional LDPR organization, res. Izhevsk. Republic of Khakassia Khakasskiy Electoral District No 30 Prokopyev, Yuriy Vasilyevich, b. 2 October 1943, deputy director of Light-Weight Structure Experimental Plant, res. Chernogorsk, Khakassia. Chechen Republic Chechenskiy Electoral District No 31 Podlipayev, Nikolay Nikolayevich, b. 22 June 1942, department head in LDPR headquarters, res. Mozhaysk, Moscow Oblast. Chuvash Republic—Republic of Chavash Kanashskiy Electoral District No 32 Kuzmin, Gennadiy Sergeyevich, b. 5 march 1939, shop chief at Kanash Electric Loading Equipment Plant, res. Kanash, Chuvashia. Cheboksarskiy Electoral District No 33 Shipov, Aleksandr Borisovich, b. 1 January 1955, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Altay Kray Barnaulskiy Electoral District No 34 Shmakov, Yuriy Anatolyevich, b. 14 December 1957, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Barnaul. Biyskiy Electoral District No 35 Pyakin, Valeriy Viktorovich, b. 7 May 1963, second secretary of kray LDPR committee, res. Barnaul. 1965, deputy editor-in-chief of PRAVDA ZHIRI- NOVSKOGO, res. Moscow. Slavgorodskiy Electoral District No 37 Solovyev, Mikhail Nikolayevich, b. 6 March 1957, first secretary of kray LDPR committee, res. Barnaul. Krasnodar Kray Armavirskiy Electoral District No 38 Zhirinovskiy, Viktor Yuryevich, b. 9 May 1955, editor of PRAVDA ZHIRINOVSKOGO (Armavir edition), res. Armavir. Kanevskiy Electoral District No 39 Lisichkin, Vladimir Aleksandrovich, b. 3 October 1941, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Krasnodarskiy Electoral District No 40 Paliyenko, Vyacheslav Kirillovich, b. 23 October 1940, general director of “Agropromservis" enterprise, res. Krasnodar. Novorossiyskiy Electoral District No 41 Popov, Viadimir Konstantinovich, b. 20 January 1957, coordinator of Novorossiysk district LDPR organiza- tion, res. Anapa. Prikubanskiy Electoral District No 42 Kovalenko, Viktor Vasilyevich, b. 17 May 1938, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Agrokom, Dinskiy Rayon, Krasnodar Kray. Tikhoretskiy Electoral District No 43 Gorovoy, Konstantin Eduardovich, b. 18 Febru- ary 1963, secretary of kray LDPR organization, res. Krasnodar. Tuapsinskiy Electoral District No 44 Kovalev, Sergey Borisovich, b. 19 March 1958, pres- ident of Global Tae Kwon Do Federation, res. Tuapse, Krasnodar Kray. Krasnoyarsk Kray Achinskiy Electoral District No 45 Zhurko, Vasiliy Vasilyevich, b. 15 July 1963, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Achinsk, Krasnoyarsk Kray. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Yeniseyskiy Electoral District No 46 Nechayeva, Larisa Gennadyevna, b. 27 November 1952, general director of "‘Spartacus-Moscow’ Soccer Club" joint-stock company, res. Moscow. Kanskiy Electoral District No 47 Stroyev, Sergey Kuzmich, b. 9 September 1955, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Krasnoyarsk-26. Krasnoyarskiy Electoral District No 48 Ivanov, Vladimir Pavlovich, b. 25 August 1946, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Krasno- yarsk. Maritime Kray Arsenyevskiy Electoral District No 49 Novikov, Valeriy Yakovievich, b. 19 May 1952, Spasskiy Rayon Administration deputy chief, res. Spassk-Dalniy, Maritime Kray. Viadivostokskiy Electoral District No 50 Bolshakov, Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich, b. 23 October 1949, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Vladivostok. Ussuriyskiy Electoral District No 51 Mitusov, Oleg Anatolyevich, b. 27 April 1966, co- ordinator of Nakhodka city LDPR organization, res. Nakhodka, Maritime Kray. Stavropol Kray Georgiyevskiy Electoral District No 52 Novoseltsev, Viktor Nikolayevich, b. 2 September 1955, LDPR press secretary, res. Moscow. Kavminvodskiy Electoral District No 53 Snezhkov, Mikhail Nikolayevich, b. 19 July 1945, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Petrovskiy Electoral District No 54 Panin, Valeriy Paviovich, b. 1 January 1941, senior instructor at Stavropol State Pedagogical University, res. Stavropol. Stavropolskiy Electoral District No 55 Maksakova, Larisa Sergeyevna, b. 29 November 1946, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 7 Khabarovsk Kray Komsomolskiy-na-Amure Electoral District No 56 Marin, Yuriy Nikolayevich, b. 4 April 1950, gen- eral director of “Khingan" joint-stock company, res. Khabarovsk. Khabarovskiy Electoral District No 57 Grishkov, Viadimir Vasilyevich, b. 1 September 1946, deputy coordinator of kray LDPR organization, res. Khabarovsk. Amur Oblast Blagoveshchenskiy Electoral District No 58 Semenov, Yuriy Filippovich, b. 13 November 1945, chief specialist of Amur Oblast Division of RF Tax Police Department, res. Blagoveshchensk, Amur Oblast. Arkhangelsk Oblast Arkhangelskiy Electoral District No 59 Kurochkin, Sergey Vladimirovich, b. 27 December 1960, director of “Sever-Nefteservis" joint-stock com- pany, res. Arkhangelsk. Kotlasskiy Electoral District No 60 Ukhin, Yevgeniy Vadimovich, b. 6 October 1960, chairman of the board of "ROSSNOR" residential construction combine, res. Arkhangelsk. Astrakhan Oblast Astrakhanskiy Electoral District No 61 Babaytsev, Dmitriy Grigoryevich, b. 22 March 1952, instructor at Astrakhan Medical Institute, res. Astrakhan. Belgorod Oblast Belgorodskiy Electoral District No 62 Gabelkov, Yuriy Leonidovich, b. 30 July 1958, coor- dinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Belgorod. Novooskolskiy Electoral District No 63 Sychev, Sergey Vladimirovich, b. 1 March 1962, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Belgorod. Bryansk Oblast Bryanskiy Electoral District No 64 Khramchenkov, Valeriy Grigoryevich, b. 16 Septem- ber 1960, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organiza- tion, res. Bryansk. ppk bp FE ompels in ge bepemtliny I lgpaememy is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 R DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 16 October 1995 Pochepskiy Electoral District No 65 Voronezh Oblast Lemeshov, Gennadiy Vladimirovich, b. 26 Septem- Anninskiy Electoral Dist: ict No 74 ber 1968, deputy editor-in-chief of PRAVDA ZHIRI- NOVSKOGO, res. Bryansk. Viadimir Oblast Viadimirskiy Electoral District No 66 Gvozdarev, Viadimir Zakharovich, b. 3 June 1951, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kovrovskiy Electoral District No 67 Zhukov, Boris Anatolyevich, b. 13 July 1947, co- ordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Orgtrud, Kameshkovskiy Rayon, Vladimir Oblast. Volgograd Oblast Volzhskiy Electoral District No 68 Lobanov, Anatoliy Paviovich, b. 21 March 1955, head of law office of oblast bar association, res. Stepankovo, Pushkinskiy Rayon, Moscow Oblast. Krasnoarmeyskiy Electoral District No 69 Karpenko, Aleksandr Anatolyevich, b. 1 January 1970, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal As- sembly, res. Volgograd. Mikhaylovskiy Electoral District No 70 Tokmakov, Vitaliy Innokentyevich, b. 8 August 1963, administrator of Voroshilov branch of Volgograd "Sots- bank" joint-stock commercial bank, res. Volgograd. Tsentrainyy Electoral District No 71 Karpenko, Oleg Anatolyevich, b. 28 October 1967, co- ordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Volgograd. Vologda Oblast Vologodskiy Electoral District No 72 Churkin, Sergey Aleks§Qndrovich, b. 22 November 1956, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Vologda. Cherepovetskiy Electoral District No 73 Rogozhnikov, Viadimir Valeryevich, b. 28 February 1966, coordinator of Cherepovets city LDPR organiza- tion, res. Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast. Kravchenko, Sergey Ivanovich, b. 20 November 1957, deputy director of State Oversight Department of oblast administration, res. Voronezh. Levoberezhnyy Electoral District No 75 Khvorikov, Yuriy Petrovich, b. 24 May 1959, teacher at Voronezh Secondary School No 76, res. Voronezh. Paviovskiy Electoral District No 76 Glebov, Viktor Ivanovich, b. 20 October 1939, depart- ment head in LDPR headquarters, res. Moscow. Pravoberezhnyy Electoral District No 77 Paviov, Valentin Ivanovich, b. 27 September 1950, deputy editor-in-chief of PRAVDA ZHIRI- NOVSKOGO, res. Voronezh. Ivanovo Oblast Ivanovskiy Electoral District No 78 Shapovalov, Pavel Petrovich, b. 6 April 1953, coordi- nator of Ivanovo city LDPR organization, res. Ivanovo. Kineshemskiy Electoral District No 79 Budnitskiy, Sergey Gennadyevich, b. 7 November 1959, deputy department head in LDPR headquarters, res. Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast. Irkutsk Oblast Angarskiy Electoral District No 80 Dmitriyev, Aleksandr Ivanovich, b. 2 May 1944, deputy head of “Irkutskenergo" relay service, res. An- garsk, Irkutsk Oblast. Bratskiy Electoral District No 81 Makarov, Nikolay Anatolyevich, b. 2 October 1951, director of “Koblyakovskiy" sovkhoz, res. Koblyakovo, Bratskiy Rayon, Irkutsk Oblast. Irkutskiy Electoral District No 82 Noskova, Natalya Viadimirovna, b. 8 March 1971, ed- itor of PRAVDA ZHIRINOVSKOGO (Irkutsk edition), res. Irkutsk. Tulunskiy Electoral District No 83 Kudryavtsev, Sergey Ivanovich, b. 8 April 1960, coordinator of Irkutsk LDPR organization, res. Irkutsk. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Kaliningrad Oblast Kaliningradskiy Electoral District No 84 Moiseyev, Anatoliy Semenovich, b. 26 October 1947, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Zapovednoye, Slavskiy Rayon, Kaliningrad Oblast. Kaluga Oblast Dzerzhinskiy Electoral District No 85 Podmazov, Vladimir Nikolayevich, b. 15 January 1952, department head in LDPR headquarters, res. Mytishchi, Moscow Oblast. Kaluzhskiy Electoral District No 86 Sidorov, Mikhail Nikolayevich, b. 17 April 1947, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kamchatka Oblast Kamchatskiy Electoral District No 87 Korneyev, Vladimir Sergeyevich, b. 4 July 1951, deputy editor-in-chief of PRAVDA ZHIRI- NOVSKOGO, res. Petropaviovsk-Kamchatskiy. Kemerovo Oblast Kemerovskiy Electoral District No 88 Shirokozhukhov, Viktor Rodionovich, b. 16 August 1939, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assem- bly, res. Kemerovo. Leninsk-Kuznetskiy Electoral District No 89 Dorovenko, Aleksey Leonidovich, b. 25 April 1966, expert criminologist in Criminology Division of Leninsk-Kuznetskiy Municipal Administration Internal Affairs Directorate, res. Leninsk-Kuznetskiy. Novokuznetskiy Electoral District No 90 Nesterov, Aleksandr Dmitriyevich, b. 3 September 1957, oblast bar association attorney, res. No- vokuznetsk. Prokopyevskiy Electoral District No 91 Tumnov, Yevgeniy Vyacheslavovich, b. 26 January 1954, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. St. Petersburg. Kirov Oblast Kirovskiy Electoral District No 92 Vakulenko, Mikhail Yuryevich, b. 7 May 1964, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Kirov. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES - Sovetskiy Electoral District No 93 Salikhov, Marat Rivgatovich, b. 8 September 1969, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Kirov. Kostroma Oblast Kostromskiy Electoral District No 94 Sidorov, Anatoliy Stepanovich, b. 18 February 1933, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kurgan Oblast Kurganskiy Electoral District No 95 Moiseyev, Boris Vasilyevich, b. 24 November 1935, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kursk Oblast Kurskiy Electoral District No 96 Ruda, Yuriy Mikhaylovich, b. 28 April 1958, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Boloto, Gorshechenskiy Rayon, Kursk Oblast. Lgovskiy Electoral District No 97 Antonov, Yuriy Mikhaylovich, b. 19 February 1945, composer, res. Moscow. Leningrad Oblast Volkhovskiy Electoral District No 98 Ravdis, Gennadiy Veniaminovich, b. 5 November 1943, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal As- sembly, res. St. Petersburg. Vsevolozhskiy Electoral District No 99 Ulybin, Vyacheslav Vyacheslavovich, b. 19 November 1968, deputy coordinator of St. Petersburg city LDPR organization, res. St. Petersburg. Kingiseppskiy Electoral District No 100 Buzov, Yevgeniy Yakovievich, b. 26 December 1926, chairman of St. Petersburg public council "300th An- niversary of the Russian Navy," res. Pushkin, St. Pe- tersburg. Lipetsk Oblast Yeletskiy Electoral District No 101 Yefanov, Lev Anatolyevich, b. 10 May 1965, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Yelts, Lipetsk Oblast. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 10 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Lipetskiy Electoral District No 102 Puzikov, Nikolay Petrovich, b. 3 January 1946, shop chief at “Novolipetsk Metallurgical Combine” joint- stock company, res. Lipetsk. Magadan Oblast Magadanskiy Electoral District No 103 Bagrov, Valeriy Ivanovich, b. 15 February 1947, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Magadan. Moscow Oblast Dmitrovskiy Electoral District No 104 Zuyev, Aleksey Alekseyevich, b. 11 March 1970, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Istrinskiy Electoral District No 105 Kalashnikov, Sergey Vyacheslavovich, b. 3 July 1951, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kolomenskiy Electoral District No 106 Yenshin, Viktor Nikolayevich, b. 20 September 1949, coordinator of Voskresenskiy Rayon LDPR organiza- tion, res. Voskresensk, Moscow Oblast. Lyuberetskiy Electoral District No 107 Balakhovskiy, Viktor Nikolayevich, b. 19 September 1956, editor of PRAVDA ZHIRINOVSKOGO (Lyu- bertsy edition), res. Lyubertsy, Moscow Oblast. Mytishchinskiy Electoral District No 108 Krylov, Eduard Yuryevich, b. 8 August 1971, tem- porarily unemployed, res. Moscow. Noginskiy Electoral District No 109 Finko, Oleg Aleksandrovich, b. 23 May 1941, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Odintsovskiy Electoral District No 110 Mitrofanov, Aleksey Valentinovich, b. 16 March 1962, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Orekhovo-Zuyevskiy Electoral District No 111 Khlebnikov, Sergey Mikhaylovich, b. 14 September 1961, coordinator of Yegoryevskiy Rayon LDPR organ- ization, res. Ramenki, Yegoryevskiy Rayon, Moscow Oblast. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Podolskiy Electoral District No 112 Shchegiov, Vladimir Vladimir vvich, b. 3 April 1947, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Podolsk, Moscow Oblast. Pushkinskiy Electoral District No 113 Kiselev, Vyacheslav Viktorovich, b. 3 June 1948, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Pushkino, Moscow Oblast. Serpukhovskiy Electoral District No 114 Sokolov, Yevgeniy Yevgenyevich, b. 25 November 1939, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal As- sembly, res. Moscow. Murmansk Oblast Monchegorskiy Electoral District No 115 Kuvayev, Leonid Mikhaylovich, b. 22 May 1947, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Murmansk. Murmanskiy Electoral District No 116 Zhirinovskaya, Lyubov Andreyevna, b. 13 September 1942, department head in LDPR headquarters, res. Moscow. Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast Avtozavodskiy Electoral District No 117 Chirkov, Lev Mikhaylovich, b. 11 December 1934, chief specialist at Nizhniy Novgorod Institute of Eco- nomic Development, res. Nizhniy Novgorod. Arzamasskiy Electoral District No 118 Katrayev, Genrikh Grigoryevich, b. 1 August 1940, test engineer at Arzamas-16 Federal Nuclear Center, res. Sarov, Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast. Dzerzhinskiy Electoral District No 119 Gagut, Luiza Dmitriyevna, b. 28 September 1949, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Kanavinskiy Electoral District No 120 Zakharov, Veniamin Sergeyevich, b. 20 November 1939, assistant professor at Volga State Academy of Water Transport, res. Nizhniy Novgorod. pope ky Ge acta nuiye pope pen hammers is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Semenovskiy Electoral District No 121 Shamov, Viktor Andreyevich, b. 5 December 1956, director of "STEK-N" Investigations Bureau, res. Nizh- niy Novgorod. Sergachskiy Electoral District No 122 Morev, Andrey Vitalyevich, b. 10 October 1961, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Nizhniy Novgorod. Novgorod Oblast Novgorodskiy Electoral District No 123 Kondratyev, Viadimir Aleksandrovich, b. 14 March 1939, general director of “Malyy Volkhovets” joint- stock company, res. Novgorod. Novosibirsk Oblast Barabinskiy Electoral District No 124 Dorovskiy, Andrey Mikhaylovich, b. 12 August 1968, coordinator of Kochenevskiy Rayon LDPR organiza- tion, res. Kochenevo, Kochenevskiy Rayon, Novosi- birsk Oblast. Zavodskoy Electoral District No 125 Prosenko, Aleksandr Yevgenyevich, b. 2 May 1947, department head at Novosibirsk State Pedagogical Uni- versity, res. Novosibirsk. Zayeltsovskiy Electoral District No 126 Pronichev, Sergey Dmitriyevich, b. 23 December 1951, president of “Siberian Balsam" association, res. Berdsk, Novosibirsk Oblast. Iskitimskiy Electoral District No 127 Loginov, Yevgeniy Yuryevich, b. 13 May 1965, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Novosibirsk. Omsk Oblast Bolsherechenskiy Electoral District No 128 Rokhin, Yevgeniy Dmitriyevich, b. 24 January 1947, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Omsk. Omskiy Electoral District No 129 Sidorov, Gennadiy Nikolayevich, b. 26 August 1952, senior scientific associate at Scientific Research Institute of Natural Foci of Infections, res. Omsk. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 11 Tsentralnyy Electoral District No 130 Plotnitskiy, Valentin Panteleymonovich, b. 17 Febru- ary 1947, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Omsk. Orenburg Oblast Buzulukskiy Electoral District No 131 Biskayev, Nikolay Kuzmich, b. 2 November 1937, se- nior scientific associate at Orenburg Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, res. Orenburg. Orenburgskiy Electoral District No 132 Kits, Aleksandr Vladimirovich, b. 11 November 1956, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Orenburg. Orskiy Electoral District No 133 Baturin, Gennadiy Nikolayevich, b. 28 January 1958, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Novoorsk, Orenburg Oblast. Orel Oblast Orlovskiy Electoral District No 134 Isakov, Sergey Vladimirovich, b. 2 July 1961, vice president of "Orel-Avia" airline, res. Mtsensk, Orel Oblast. Penza Oblast Zheleznodorozhnyy Electoral District No 135 Korobov, Sergey Aleksandrovich, b. 31 October 1958, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Penza. Pervomayskiy Electoral District No 136 Dubinin, Sergey Valeryevich, b. 27 March 1963, di- vision head at “Universal” scientific-production center, res. Mtsensk, Orel Oblast. Perm Oblast Bereznikovskiy Electoral District No 137 Novozhilov, Sergey Gennadyevich, b. 25 January 1958, general director of "Ural-Zerno” joint-stock com- pany, res. Berezniki, Perm Oblast. Kungurskiy Electoral District No 138 Sobko, Andrey Garriyevich, b. 7 May 1969, coordi- nator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Perm. Leninskiy Electoral District No 139 Chumachenko, Dmitriy Valeryevich, b. 29 January 1969, director of “Kabel-Optorg" firm, res. Perm. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 12 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Sverdlovskiy Electoral District No 140 Parkhomenko, Stanislav Ilyich, b. 25 January 1945, . head of security service of “Santa” firm, res. Perm. Pskov Oblast Pskovskiy Electoral District No 141 Mikhaylov, Yevgeniy Eduardovich, b. 17 March 1963, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Velikiye Luki, Pskov Oblast. Rostov Oblast Belokalitvinskiy Electoral District No 142 Tyukavkin, Sergey Valentinovich, b. 18 September 1958, editor-in-chief of LDPR: DIALOG-DON, res. Rostov-on-Don. Volgodonskiy Electoral District No 143 Goncharov, Mikhail Yuryevich, b. 4 May 1952, director of "Urozhay" limited-liability partnership, res. Rostov-on-Don. Kamenskiy Electoral District No 144 Kasyanov, Aleksandr Anatolyevich, b. 25 July 1946, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Rostov- on-Don. Proletarskiy Electoral District No 145 Grinberg, Aleksandr Leonidovich, b. 29 April 1953, deputy general director of “Sevkavavtoresurs” joint- stock company, res. Rostov-on-Don. Rostovskiy Electoral District No 146 Kokorev, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich, b. 4 March 1952, chancellor of Economic Security Academy, res. Moscow. Taganrogskiy Electoral District No 147 Akimenko, Vladimir Konstantinovich, b. 7 February 1943, coordinator of Taganrog city LDPR organization, res. Taganrog, Rostov Oblast. Shakhtinskiy Electoral District No 148 Tkachev, Viktor Sergeyevich, b. 2 August 1950, secretary of Novoshakhtinsk city LDPR organization, res. Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov Oblast. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Ryazan Oblast Ryazanskiy Electoral District No 149 Kapustin, Anatoliy Vladimirovich, b. 10 January 1939, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Shilovskiy Electoral District No 150 Rakov, Viktor Nikolayevich, b. 2 October 1949, coor- dinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Ryazan. Samara Oblast Novokuybyshevskiy Electoral District No 151 Salnikov, Sergey Petrovich, b. 8 May 1957, deputy chief of Kinelskiy Rayon Internal Affairs Department in Samara Oblast, res. Bogdanovka, Kinelskiy Rayon, Samara Oblast. Promyshlennyy Electoral District No 152 Opryshko, Andrey Anatolyevich, b. 10 December 1962, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal As- sembly, res. Samara. Samarskiy Electoral District No 153 Kireyev, Anton Valeryevich, b. 23 May 1972, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Syzranskiy Electoral District No 154 Kantariya, Kandid Georgiyevich, b. 28 February 1945, deputy director of “Elion” construction enterprise, res. Samara. Tolyattinskiy Electoral District No 155 Burlakov, Mikhail Petrovich, b. 31 January 1952, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Tolyatti, Samara Oblast. Saratov Oblast Balakovskiy Electoral District No 156 Matveyev, Dmitriy Viktorovich, b. 11 February 1972, coordinator of Balakovo city LDPR organization, res. Balakovo, Saratov Oblast. Balashovskiy Electoral District No 157 Dorovskikh, Andrey Mikhaylovich, b. 2 May 1965, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Balashov, Saratov Oblast. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Saratovskiy Electoral District No 158 Chugunov, Mikhail Fedorovich, b. 25 November 1948, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Saratov. Engelskiy Electoral District No 159 Koryakov, Viktor Nikolayevich, b. 24 November 1957, deputy editor-in-chief of PRAVDA ZHIRI- NOVSKOGO (Saratov edition), res. Marks, Saratov Oblast. Sakhalin Oblast Sakhalinskiy Electoral District No 160 Glazov, Mikhail Mikhaylovich, b. 6 March 1950, coordinator of Sakhalin Oblast LDPR organization, res. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Sverdlovsk Oblast Artemovskiy Electoral District No 161 Mityayev, Gennadiy Aleksandrovich, b. 1 Jan- uary 1946, director of branch of “Rosgosstrakh- Sverdloblgosstrakh" insurance firm, res. Yekaterinburg. Verkh-Isetskiy Electoral District No 162 Kutsev, Aleksey Viktorovich, b. 20 July 1955, tech- nological engineer at "Stalaflon" scientific-production complex, res. Yekaterinburg. Kamensk-Uralskiy Electoral District No 163 Bukhovtsev, Sergey Nikolayevich, b. 3 January 1951, private investigator of "Tranay" private enterprise, res. Kamensk-Uralskiy, Sverdlovsk Oblast. Nizhne-Tagilskiy Electoral District No 164 Merzlyakov, Leonid Borisovich, b. 22 July 1953, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast. Ordzhonikidzevskiy Electoral District No 165 Bulatov, Valeriy Borisovich, b. 10 October 1945, engineer at Main Rail Post Office, res. Yekaterinburg. Pervouralskiy Electoral District No 166 Kamelin, Sergey Ivanovich, b. 31 May 1965, pipe maintenance engineer at "Kompozit" plant, res. Yeka- terinburg. Serovskiy Electoral District No 167 Bareyev, Gaptelbar Abdulfakovich, b. 24 January 1957, director of "Shkolnik" limited-liability partner- ship, res. Kachkanar, Sverdlovsk Oblast. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 13 Smolensk Oblast Vyazemskiy Electoral District No 168 Kozyrev, Aleksandr Ivanovich, b. 30 December 1949, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Smolenskiy Electoral District No 169 Zhamoydo, Sergey Viadlenovich, b. 12 February 1957, coordinator of Smolensk regional LDPR organization, res. Smolensk. Tambov Oblast Michurinskiy Electoral District No 170 Krivelskaya, Nina Viktorovna, b. 10 October 1948, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Tambovskiy Electoral District No 171 Zhuraviev, Vitaliy Yevgenyevich, b. 16 February 1964, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Tver Oblast Bezhetskiy Electoral District No 172 Bolshakov, Vadim Ivanovich, b. 17 July 1930, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Tverskoy Electoral District No 173 Norenko, Aleksandr Ivanovich, b. 9 October 1944, retired from RF Ministry of Defense, res. Tver. Tomsk Oblast Tomskiy Electoral District No 174 Lukashov, Valeriy Nikolayevich, b. 17 June 1960, chief engineer at Tomsk Electrical Engineering Plant, res. Tomsk. Tula Oblast Novomoskovskiy Electoral District No 175 Umnov, Aleksey Aleksandrovich, b. 12 July 1959, deputy coordinator of Tula LDPR organization, res. Tula. Tulskiy Electoral District No 176 Shemyakin, Aleksandr Vasilyevich, b. 14 January 1943, department head in LDPR headquarters, res. Moscow. Poets eee tee of is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. material. Copying and dissemination 14 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Shchekinskiy Electoral District No 177 Kovaiev, Viadimir Anatolyevich, b. 25 August 1959, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Tula. Tyumen Oblast Ishimskiy Electoral District No 178 Vasilishin, Aleksey Viktorovich, b. 11 January 1945, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Tobolsk, Tyumen Oblast. Tyumenskiy Electoral District No 179 Timofeyev, Valentin Borisovich, b. 31 January 1956, general director of Tyumen municipal “Nefteprodukt" enterprise, res. Tyumen. Ulyanovsk Oblast Sengileyevskiy Electoral District No 180 Petrov, Valeriy Valentinovich, b. 13 August 1961, general director of "Energoblok" joint-stock company, res. Odintsovo, Moscow Oblast. Ulyanovskiy Electoral District No 181 Kishkinev, Aleksandr Fedorovich, b. 4 August 1954, general director of "Volga" joint-stock company, res. Ulyanovsk. Chelyabinsk Oblast Ziatoustovskiy Electoral District No 182 Linev, Aleksandr Ivanovich, b. 26 November 1946, coordinator of Zlatoust city LDPR organization, res. Ziatoust, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Kalininskiy Electoral District No 183 Koteinikov, Mikhail Sergeyevich, b. 9 April 1946, chief designer at "Signal" state enterprise, res. Chelyabinsk. Kyshtymskiy Electoral District No 184 Moiseyev, Nikolay Yuryevich, b. 21 January 1950, deputy chief designer of “Rotor” state special design bureau, res. Chelyabinsk. Magnitogorskiy Electoral District No 185 Yakovlev, Valeriy Aleksandrovich, b. 26 March 1947, department head of LDPR regional organization, res. Chelyabinsk. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Sovetskiy Electoral District No 186 Gruzdev, Viadimir Vladimirovich, b. 8 December 1941, deputy coordinator of regional LDPR organiza- tion, res. Chelyabinsk. Chita Oblast Borzinskiy Electoral District No 187 Chesnykh, Ivan Alekseyevich, b. 16 February 1938, chairman of "Zabaykalskiy Khieb" joint-stock company, res. Chita. Chitinskiy Electoral District No 188 Bogatov, Vladimir Vladimirovich, b. 18 December 1960, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Chita. Yaroslav! Oblast Kirovskiy Electoral District No 189 Fedorov, Gennadiy Andreyevich, b. 31 August 1950, coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Yaroslavl. Rybinskiy Electoral District No 190 Zvyagin, Aleksey Alekseyevich, b. 19 October 1936, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. City of Moscow Avtozavodskiy Electoral District No 191 Groza, Aleksey Vladimirovich, b. 19 May 1951, vice president of "Yevroazbiznesbank," res. Moscow. Babushkinskiy Electoral District No 192 Panov, Anatoliy Alekseyevich, b. 20 September 1937, general director of "Moscow Machine Tool Plant imeni S. Ordzhonikidze" joint-stock company, res. Moscow. Kuntsevskiy Electoral District No 193 Vinogradov, Aleksey Germanovich, b. 11 November 1965, economist at "Sukhovey" joint-stock company, res. Vologda. Leningradskiy Electoral District No 194 Lukava, Georgiy Grigoryevich, b. 22 August 1925, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Lyublinskiy Electoral District No 195 Plekhanov, Sergey Nikolayevich, b. 15 August 1949, writer, res. Dzerzhinskiy, Moscow Oblast. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Medvedkovskiy Electoral District No 196 Vorfolomeyev, Mikhail Alekseyevich, b. 10 October 1947, writer, res. Moscow. Orekhovo-Borisovskiy Electoral District No 197 Spirin, Yuriy Leonidovich, b. 21 March 1938, State Duma sector head of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Perovskiy Electoral District No 198 Sinchera, Vasiliy Mikhaylovich, b. 26 February 1940, director of International Institute of Economic Engineer- ing Research, res. Moscow. Preobrazhenskiy Electoral District No 199 Filatov, Aleksandr Valentinovich, b. 16 July 1967, State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Tushinskiy Electoral District No 200 Kuntsevich, Anatoliy Demyanovich, b. 6 August 1934, director of Ecotoximetry Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, res. Moscow. Universitetskiy Electoral District No 201 Aleksandrov, Viadimir Viktorovich, b. 7 May 1928, lead scientific associate at Institute of Scientific Infor- mation on Social Sciences of Russian Academy of Sci- ences, res. Moscow. Tsentrainyy Electoral District No 202 Strygin, Andrey Vadimovich, b. 19 July 1952, as- sistant professor at State Management Academy, res. Moscow. Cheremushkinskiy Electoral District No 203 Zhukov, Dmitriy Anatolyevich, b. 30 August 1927, writer, res. Moscow. Chertanovskiy Electoral District No 204 Igoshev, Lev Aleksandrovich, b. 26 October 1954, State Duma specialist-expert of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Sheremetyevskiy Electoral District No 205 Godin, Viadimir Grigoryevich, b. 28 September 1938, member of Supreme Economic Council of State Duma of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 15 City of St. Petersburg Admiralteyskiy Electoral District No 206 Sadchikov, Kirill Ivanovich, b. 12 June 1967, chair- man of "Pravda" trade union in St. Petersburg, res. St. Petersburg. Vostochnyy Electoral District No 207 Ivanov, Mikhail Nikolayevich, b. 8 November 1948, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. St. Petersburg. Zapadnyy Electoral District No 208 Kuznetsov, Sergey Viktorovich, b. 9 May 1968, driver for municipal first-aid station, res. St. Petersburg. Severnyy Electoral District No 209 Bodrov, Sergey Viktorovich, b. 26 November 1965, coordinator of municipal Afghanistan War Veterans Fund, res. St. Petersburg Severo-Zapadnyy Electoral District No 210 Babich, Yelena Viadimirovna, b. 10 March 1960, co- ordinator of Kronshtadt LDPR organization, res. Kron- shtadt. Tsentralnyy Electoral District No 211 Smirnov, Nikolay Vladimirovich, b. 15 June 1955, general director of "A YMAK" joint-stock company, res. St. Petersburg. Yugo-Zapadnyy Electoral District No 212 Anokhin, Valeriy Denisovich, b. 11 July 1963, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. St. Petersburg. Yuzhnyy Electoral District No 213 Sadchikov, Ivan Aleksandrovich, b. 20 June 1940, president of Leningrad Association of Scientific Soci- eties, res. St. Petersburg. Jewish Autonomous Oblast Birobidzhanskiy Electoral District No 214 Batogov, Aleksey Maratovich, b. 7 June 1946, State Duma adviser of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Aga-Buryat Autonomous Okrug Aginskiy Buryatskiy Electoral District No 215 Tsybendarzhiyev, Bator Shirapovich, b. 26 April 1958, chairman of Duldurginskiy Rayon Consumers Society, res. Uzon, Duldurginskiy Rayon, Chita Oblast. eke hp ee pie ge oped ye b hpenemeamae is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 16 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug Komi-Permyatskiy Electoral District No 216 Popov, Aleksandr Yuryevich, b. 23 August 1956, production chief at Perm State Medical Academy, res. Perm. Koryak Autonomous Okrug Koryakskiy Electoral District No 217 Bachish, Anatoliy Vladimirovich, b. 25 January 1959, deputy coordinator of oblast LDPR organization, res. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. Nenetsk Autonomous Okrug Nenetskiy Electoral District No 218 Churilov, Aleksey Viktorovich, b. 20 June 1972, aide to State Duma deputy of RF Federal Assembly, res. Podyuga, Konoshskiy Rayon, Arkhangelsk Oblast. Taymyr (Dolgano-Nenetsk) Autonomous Okrug Taymyrskiy (Dolgano-Nenetskiy) Electoral District No 219 Levenets, Irina Nikolayevna, b. 11 April 1949, coor- dinator of Norilsk city LDPR organization, res. Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Kray. Ust-Orda Autonomous Okrug Ust-Ordynskiy Buryatskiy Electoral District No 220 Semenov, Sergey Sergeyevich, b. 30 November 1973, State Duma specialist-expert of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug Nizhnevartovskiy Electoral District No 221 Usoltsev, Nikolay Valentinovich, b. 21 October 1953, general director of "Dzhemeni" joint-stock company, res. Surgut, Tyumen Oblast. Khanty-Mansiyskiy Electoral District No 222 Starikov, Viadimir Vasilyevich, b. 6 January 1943, di- rector of "Starikov and Co." firm, res. Khanty-Mansiysk. Chukotsk Autonomous Okrug Chukotskiy Electoral District No 223 Filatov, Viktor Ivanovich, b. 25 September 1935, State Duma consultant of RF Federal Assembly, res. Moscow. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Evenki Autonomous Okrug Evenkiyskiy Electoral District No 224 Nikiforov, Andrey Olegovich, b. 13 August 1962, de- partment head in LDPR headquarters, res. Krasnoyarsk. Yamalo-Nenetsk Autonomous Okrug Yamalo-Nenetskiy Electoral District No 225 Levchenko, Irina Georgiyevna, b. 9 January 1959, psychologist of Novyy Urengoy Grammar School No 5, res. Novyy Urengoy, Tyumen Oblast. [Signed] A.D. Vengerovskiy, Congress Chairman I.A. Karpukhin, Congress Secretary Election Guidelines Daily Explains Law Regarding Double Candidacies MM1110121695 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 7 Oct 95 p6 [{"Explanation of the Procedure for Applying Article 42, Section 10 of the Federal Law ‘On the Election of Deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly,’ Approved by Russian Federation Central Electoral Commission Decree No. 23/198-P of 3 October, followed by commentary by Valentin Maslennikov, under the general headline "Frankly"] {[FBIS Translated Text] Article 5 of the Federal Law "On the Election of Deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly" stipulates that 225 State Duma deputies are elected from single- seat electoral districts and 225 State Duma deputies are elected from the federal electoral district. Under Article 6 of the Federal Law "On the Election of Deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federa- tion Federal Assembly” the right to nominate candidates belongs 1) directly to voters, and 2) to electoral associ- ations and electoral blocs. Under Article 37 of this law electoral associations and electoral blocs can nominate the same person as a candidate both by putting him on the federal list of candidates and by nominating him for a single-seat electoral district. Under Article 20 of the Federal Law "On Basic Guar- antees of Russian Federation Citizens’ Electoral Rights" candidates for deputy nominated directly by voters par- ticipate in elections as independent candidates and can- not belong to any electoral association or electoral bloc. Under Article 37, Section 3 and Article 57, Section 4 of the Federal Law “On the Election of Deputies to the This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assem- bly” a person’s membership of an electoral association or electoral bloc signifies his nomination as a candidate for deputy by that electoral association or electoral bloc. Consequently the requirement of Article 42, Section 10 of the Federal Law "On the Election of Deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly” applies only to candidates nominated for a single-seat electoral district by an electoral association or electoral bloc. A person on the registered federal list of candidates nominated by an electoral association or electoral bloc cannot be registered by the district electoral commission as a candidate nominated directly by voters. Commentary. Law Against Tricks in Fight for Deputies’ Seats The nearer the elections get the more questions their organizers have. The process of sorting out federal lists of candidates for deputy from electoral blocs, associations, and parties is in full swing. By the middle of last week the Russian Federation Central Electoral Commission [CEC] had already registered 78 such lists. At the same time lists of single-seat candidates are being finalized directly in districts. As soon as these registers became the property of the public at large, people were immediately puzzled as to why the same surnames often crop up in both lists. Can that be right? What does the law say about this? The Federal Laws "On Basic Guarantees of Russian Federation Citizens’ Electoral Rights" and "On the Elec- tion of Deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Fed- eration Federal Assembly" say clearly and unambigu- ously that all electoral associations and blocs, as well as voters directly, have the right to nominate candidates. These laws also expressly stipulate who can or cannot be on both lists simultaneously. For instance, the same person cannot be put on federal lists of various associations or parties. A contender for a deputy’s seat cannot be put simultaneously on one list as an independent candidate and on another as the representative of a party. How can that be? Because Article 42, Section 10 of the federal law on the election of State Duma deputies runs: "The same person can be simultaneously as a candidate on the federal list and as a candidate for a single-seat electoral district.” But this provision, the CEC explains, applies only to candidates nominated for a single-seat electoral district by an electoral association or bloc. That is, the column denoting who nominated the candidate must without fail indicate the name of his "parent" association, bloc, DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 17 or party. If instead of this it is indicated that he was nominated directly by voters as an independent candidate, that would be a clear case of deceiving voters. Which the law does not allow. Some elect!on organizers and voter activists are con- fused by the lines of Article 57 of the law on the election of State Duma Deputies which say that an independent candidate can also indicate his party membership on the voting paper. But you will agree that belonging to a party and being nominated by it for the next parliament are different things. The law is against any misrepresen- tation and is against trading on anybody’s authority for mercenary purposes. Forecasts & Commentary Zyuganov Interviewed on Elections, Possible Alliances BR1310123695 Madrid EL MUNDO in Spanish 13 Oct 95 p22 {Interview with Russian Communist Party leader Gen- nadiy Zyuganov by Francisco Herranz in Moscow; date not given: “The Elections Will Be Rigged Massively" — first paragraph is EL MUNDO introduction) ([FBIS Translated Text] Moscow — Gennadiy Zyuganov, a Sl-year-old “apparatchik,” is “num- ber one” in the Russian Communist Party, a powerful organization with half a million members. From his office at the Duma, he spoke with the authoritativeness derived from representing the Russian political force that may obtain the largest number of votes and seats in the general elections scheduled for mid December. {Herranz] Do you think that the 1996 presidential elections will be held without any fighting or coups? [Zyuganov] Everything that has been happening over the past few years is a “putsch," first to destroy the Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation. They have created the basis for a very serious social explosion: 20 million unemployed, 15 million people starving, 6 million refugees. These are not reforms, but fully-fledged genocide. We are witnessing an unstable equilibrium. The Kremlin is aware that it cannot continue implementing these poli- cies, but it is not powerful enough to oust the bankrupt ministers who represent the path of treason: Anatoliy Chubays (privatization), Andrey Kozyrev (foreign pol- icy), and Sergey Shakhray (nationalities). {Herranz] In the event of the elections being rigged, how are you planning to fight back if the people are discontented but are passive? pop pd ng oop material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 18 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES [Zyuganov] The people are tired and discontented, but they are increasingly harboring deep feelings of hatred which may explode violently. Why did Yeltsin the election of the governors and of the regional parliaments? Because he is afraid. The elections will be rigged on a massive scale. This before when they falsified 9 million votes in favor of the new Constitution in the December 1993 referendum. {Herranz] Might Yeltsin postpone the elections, seeing they are doomed to failure? [Zyuganov] He might possibly, but it would be difficult. Our president usually gives his word and then breaks it. However, it is impossible to call off the elections just like that. He cannot do that, but he might be able to do so with a provocation like the one in Budennovsk (a hospital with 1,000 people in it held hostage — EL MUNDO editor’s note). {Herranz] How do you interpret the proposal to unify Belarus and Russia? [Zyuganov] It may be used as a pretext to postpone the presidential elections. There are several possibilities that could be used for this purpose. The first has taken place in the Caucasus; the second in central Asia, through the extension of presidential powers until the year 2,000. There is a third possibility, too: adding up all the violations and irregularities and decreeing that the results are not valid. {Herranz] With whom are you prepared to form an alliance? [Zyuganov]} Our conditions are very simple: Russia’s territorial integrity and peace and well-being in every home. We are prepared to reach a compromise with the Agrarians and the parties of Ryzhkov (patriot), Kokov (centrist), and even Yavlinskiy (liberal). With such a parliamentary majority we would propose a popular- confidence government in order to overcome the crisis. {Herranz) You are accusing the Russian and Western democrats of destroying the USSR, but are you not to blame, too? [Zyuganov] I blame myself for not having had the strength and the time to unmask the clique headed by Gorbachev and Yeltsin, who led the country to disintegration. On the other hand, I used to have a fairly good opinion of Western democrats, but they all kept silent when the tanks arrived and fired on our parliament. They have different ideals. Is Yeltsin a democrat? Look at his features. Democracy never dwelt for a moment on his face. Listening to him talk about the Serbs is a hair-raising experience. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 {Herranz) Are you planning to take part in the presiden- tial elections? [Zyuganov] The Russian Communist Party is in cavor of limiting the president’s powers, but it intends to use this post to strengthen peace in Russia and carry out reforms. What will be my role? Whatever role I am assigned. Daily Comments on Gonchar’s View of Election Scene MK1310145595 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY in Russian 6 Oct 95 p 3 [Commentary by Natalya Arkhangelskaya: "Fried Foods From the Kremlin Kitchen") (FBIS Translated Text) The pre-election landscape painted by the experienced hand of Senator Gonchar would only gain from adding some details and partic- ulars the author was somewhat sparing with. This is quite understandable: What we have here is a political intrigue being discussed only among insiders. Also rather understandable is the outsiders’ burning interest in it: Everyone has to eat the food cooked in the political kitchen. KOMMERSANT-DAILY [KD] offers the readers its own version of what is going on. Beyond a doubt, as a successor to President Yeltsin, Premier Chernomyrdin would quite suit both the United States and Europe. But according to KD information, the West regards as good prospects in this sense two further figures: Moscow Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov and Congress of Russian Communities [KRO] leader Yuriy Skokov. It is said that these variants were the subject of discussion in one of the recent meetings of Western politicians in one of the European capitals. Allegedly even this idea was voiced: If the premier and the mayor can manage their election campaigns with their own funds, the former Security Council secretary could very well be given some help (let’s leave to Western analysts the question of how the latter two, and especially Skokov, could take the helm of the country). The following is curious: the aforementioned exchange of views took place shortly before the well-known press conference at which Yeltsin suddenly came up with scornful remarks about [Russia Is] "Our Home,” which, according to him, will win 7 percent of the votes at best in the future elections. Much has already been said about the president’s being unhappy with the premier’s growing political weight, but by all indications no sharp moves in regard to Chernomyrdin will be made. The president will hardly dismiss the premier, since that would only boost his election chances. The rumors of resignation are ULeing : { may tai ighted ‘ jal. Copying and disse inati is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 vigorously fanned despite the denials, while Skokov is being named as a possible successor. And this may fully explain everything. Rumors about Skokov soon being appointed head of the cabinet are cropping up with enviable regularity; this rumor is the fourth to date. People who know the former Security Council secretary in person do not rule out that these rumors — like those about Skokov and Yeltsin continuing to trust each other — could be spread by Skokov himself (possibly with the support of some persons close to the president). The objective is to sell the desirable for the real. Nor does this version clash with information contained in a recent “Itogi" television program that the KRO leader, when in the United States, promised President Yeltsin guarantees of personal security in the event he came to power. It is very doubtful that the president asked Skokov for any guarantees. Most probably, the latter did this of his own accord. However, the information fuss surrounding Skokov may also have yet another explanation: Rumors of his future premiership are being launched with the objective of causing a split in the KRO leadership. It is not hard to guess who is lannching them. This version is attested to by the zeal with which mass media outlets friendly to the president fell to hyping this story. The main target in this case is no longer Skokov — who would not be able to elbow his way to the helm of power without someone helping him despite the "psychological attack" he is undertaking — but General Lebed. Lebed for Yeltsin is indeed a serious problem to which, persons in the know argue, the Presidential Security Service is struggling to find a solution. According to information from a source close to this special service, one version of the "neutralization" of the general seems to have been around for a long time. KD wrote that Lebed was asked to become head of all Cossack forces in exchange for deciding against running in June 1996. If he agrees, he will have under his command large military subunits without being subordinate to the defense minister, only taking orders from the supreme commander in chief, the president. According to information from informed sources, the general has given his preliminary consent. But this project seems to be held as an alternative because circumstances may emerge under which the authorities would think it good to hold no presidential election at all. This is, by the way, something Gonchar does not rule out either. A pretext for deciding against elections, as has already been hinted at in the press, could be provided by an accelerated process of the unification of Russia and Belarus. Gonchar personally contributed to the implementation of this project: It is on his suggestion that the Federation Council passed a DUMA ELECTION ISSUES 19 declaration the other day calling upon people in Russia to say what they think in a referendum. According to KD’s information, great efforts are being made to have Kazakhstan join the new federation. One can of course treat this with great skepticism. Finally, hints emerged in recent days that the authorities did not quite give up the idea of postponing the parliamentary elections as well. The trial balloon is already up: State Duma Speaker Rybkin noted when he started speaking about extending (by presidential edict) the term of regional bodies of power, that it would be logical to do the same in regard to the federal authorities. And as is known, it is often the Kremlin that we hear when Rybkin speaks. Kuzbass Miners’ Warning Strike Seen as Election Exercise MKI1310091395 Moscow NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA in Russian 12 Oct 95 pl [Report by Yekaterina Deynego: “Miners Stop Work Again. Strike in Kuzbass May Turn Into a Political Show"] {[FBIS Translated Text] A warning strike is in effect today at all coal enterprises of the Kuzbass [Kuznetsk Basin Coal Fields). It mainly differs from such previous strikes in that it is taking place at the height of an election campaign. Therefore, the strikers will hardly limit themselves to the usual set of well-known slogans: pay wage arrears, stop rising unemployment, and adopt a government program to end the crisis in the sector. Representatives of the coal industry workers’ trade union, who are taking no part in the election campaign, have stated that they are against "drawing the workers into all sorts of political games." Their opposite numbers in the Independent Miners’ Trade Union (IMTU), on the contrary, are not going to let the moment slip, and, taking advantage of the strike, they wanted to organize an election meeting in Prokopyevsk, where canvassing would be carried out for the IMTU leader, Aleksandr Sergeyev, a candidate for State Duma deputy from Svy- atoslav Fedorov’s Party of People’s Self-Government. Furthermore, it is assumed that the Communists and Liberal Democrats intend to put forward their own slo- gans at some mines. A study of the political alignment of forces in the Kuzbass conducted by the Institute of Comparative Studies of Labor Relations has indicated that the high- est popularity rating of 11.7 percent is enjoyed by the “Women of Russia" sociopolitical movement, followed by the CPRF [Communist Party of the Russian Fed- eration] with 6.2 percent, and Svyatoslav Fedorov’s party in third position. According to the same study, Kemerovo Oblast Soviet Chairman Aman Tuleyev has This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 20 DUMA ELECTION ISSUES the greatest chances at 36.5 percent, followed by Svy- atoslav Fedorov with 9.7 percent, and the leader of the “Congress of Russian Communities" electoral associa- tion, Aleksandr Lebed [as published], with 4.9 percent. Moscow Residents Polled on Voting Intentions LD1410070595 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 0600 GMT 14 Oct 95 [From the "Novosti" newscast] [FBIS Translated Text] The media compare the current run-up with a pilgrimage to sacred places: over 70 var- ious associations and countless numbers of independent candidates have begun to storm the political Olympus. Less than one week is left until the deadline for the sub- mitting of signatures’ list. However, the Central Elec- toral commission has received the lists of only the Com- munist Party, the Congress of Russian Communities and the Liberal-Democratic party. At the same time, according to the results of an opinion poll by the sociological service Opinion, every fifth resident of the capital has not yet decided whether to FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 take part in the elections at all. However, 60 percent of the capital’s residents are very likely to take part in the voting. Were the elections held today, a total of 15.8 percent of votes would be cast for the Communist Party. Russia Is Our Home and the Congress of Russian Communities would gather 15.2 percent each. About 25 percent of the respondents in Moscow think that if the Communists come to power, their life would change for the worse. However, one-fifth of respondents have an opposite opinion. About half of the respondents expect similar changes if the LDPR comes to power. Only one person in 100 disagrees with this opinion. Only Russia Is Our Home has a certain positive balance. It is not uninteresting that even the most politically minded Muscovites have a far from complete idea about the participants in the pre-election run-up. A total of 19 percent do not have a clue that Ivan Rybkin has set up a bloc, and 22 percent do not know anything about the Congress of Russian Communities. As of today, another association will join the pre-election marathon. An assembly of the Men of Russia movement will be held at the parliament’s center on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. ppyde obey ney Conan mpeeed pan [gleams is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 OSCE Regional Office Opens in Tashkent LD1210123795 Tashkent NARODNOYE SLOVO in Russian 12 Oct 95 pl (Unattributed article: “Regional office of the Organiza- tion for Security and Cooperation in Europe opens"} {FBIS Translated Text] The official opening ceremony of the regional office of the Organizaticn for Security and Cooperation in Europe [OSCE] for relations with the Central Asian states, took place in Tashkent on 10 October. Abdulaziz Komilov, foreign minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that the opening of the OSCE regional office in our country will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the republic and this prestigious international organization. OSCE Secretary-General Wilhelm Hoeynck said that cooperation with the states of the region has great significance in insuring security and stability in Central Asia. Khalid Malik, the UN permanent representative in Uzbekistan, participated in the opening ceremony of the OSCE regional office. ITAR-TASS Carries Press Review for 14 October LD1410070095 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0551 GMT 14 Oct 95 ("Press Review" — ITAR-TASS headline] (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, October 14 (Itar- Tass) — The press comments on a report delivered by Russian premier Viktor Chernomyrdin at the State Duma (Russian parliament lower house) on Friday on the social and economic situation in the country. “Chernomyrdin’s speech is distinguished for self- criticism, unusual for a politician who recently stated that he did not see serious rivals of the Our Home is Russia movement he heads," the IZVESTIYA newspa- per notes. The premier admitted a serious drop in real incomes of population. In the daily’s opinion, “Chernomyrdin’s statement that the government plans to set up a compen- sation fund to make payments to investors who suffered from the operations of financial companies where they deposited money, sounded as election propaganda". Under the headline "Government changes tactics", the TRUD newspaper carries an article on Chernomyrdin’s speech in parliament. The premier’s flexible position graphically showed to all “interested people": the gov- ernment changes tactics. Time will show whether this was prompted by the election campaign, the daily notes. INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS 21 Examining the premier’s speech, the army newspaper KRASNAYA ZVEZDA draws a conclusion that he and his cabinet are ready to appropriate big funds for the upkeep of the army, payments for fuel, foodstuffs and logistics, while housing construction for servicemen will continue from funds of stock markets. “This is an encouraging position. The only thing is to follow what percentage of good intentions will be translated into life," the newspaper notes. The press devotes much space to the coming parlia- mentary elections. IZVESTIYA runs an article, quoting facts about real expenses of people seeking to win the elections. The most generous fees are guaranteed by candidates from commercial structures. However, the quantity of money put into the election campaign and chances to a success of the campaign are not in direct proportional dependence, the article notes. In the opinion of the NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA newspaper, millions of voters will not be able to materialise their rights at the coming elections. The newspaper prints a document which, as it writes, was compiled specially for the Russian president by former legislator Anatoliy Mostovoy. He carried out a textual examination of normative acts on citizenship, which operated and are now operable in the Russian Federation. The KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA newspaper be- lieves that the election campaign resembles very much “a mass pilgrimage to holy places. Over 50 movements, parties, blocs and legions of various "independents" started scrambling for the political Olympus”. The attitude of voters to a queerly-born multiparty system now is very critical, the daily notes. IZVESTIYA economic analyst Mikhail Berger reports that power-wielding structures join efforts to bring taxes to the federal budget. Special teams, consisting of representatives from the Prosecutor-General’s Office, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the State Tax Service and Tax Police, are to go, next week, to those who were put on the list of persistent defaulers. The total sum of debts defaulted by taxpayers to the federal budget hit an astronomical figure of 28,000 billion roubles, the daily writes. Since supporters of separatist leader Dzhokhar Dudayev made a blatant stake on terror, Moscow must display not oniy goodwill but also firmness and resoluteness, claims KRASNAYA ZVEZDA. "The coming days should end the situation of ‘neither nor war’ which, as we see, develops into war after all," the daily stresses. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 2 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Gas Contract Signed With Bosnian Muslims, Serbs LD1310170895 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1416 GMT 13 Oct 95 (By ITAR-TASS correspondent Igor Ivantsov] (FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 13 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — About 100 million cubic meters of natural gas will reach Sarajevo from Russia by the end of the year, ITAR-TASS was told by Yuriy Zaytsev, acting managing director of the Russian foreign-trade company Gazeksport. A contract for this amount of gas was signed today after talks in Moscow, at which Bosnian Muslim and Serb representatives were present, he said. During the four days of talks, the sides confirmed the total amount owed for Russian gas supplies since 1991, which, Yuriy Zaytsev said, was put at $105 million. A protocol on how and when the debt will be paid off was also agreed during the talks. Each side quantified its share of the debt, but it is thought that the Bosnian Government will foot most of the bill. Payments are expected to begin as early as this year. Russian gas started flowing to Sarajevo again on 9 October. It was cut off last August at the request of the interested parties. Sarajevo is currently being supplied with sufficient gas to match consumers’ needs. UN Representative Condemns Bosnian Violations LD1410053495 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0211 GMT 14 Oct 95 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Boris Sitnikov] {FBIS Translated Text] United Nations, 13 Oct (ITAR- TASS) — At the consultative session of the UN Se- curity Council which was held on Friday, the Rus- sian representative resolutely condemned the violation of the ceasefire agreement by the government forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina which are continuing military ac- tions in western Bosnia. Subunits from Croatia and of Bosnian Croats have been taking part in military actions in this region over the last few days. In keeping with the proposal of the Russian delegation, which was supported by other members of the council, the Security Council chairman will inform the UN representatives of Bosnia and Croatia of the demands of the members of the Security Council. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 ‘Concern’ on Bosnia Cease-Fire Non-Observance Noted LD1410112595 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1116 GMT 14 Oct 95 (By Valeriy Sevryukov] {[FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, October 14 (ITAR-TASS) — “Russia has more than ample grounds for serious concern over the non-observance of the ceasefire agreement in Bosnia, reached on October 12," the Russian president’s special representative in former Yugoslavia Aleksandr Zotov said in an exclusive interview with ITAR-TASS here on Saturday. The Russian side is one of the most active members of the Contact Group, thanks to the actions of which it was possible to reach the agreement, the diplomat noted. For instance, it was largely achieved thanks to a quick and constructive decision on Russian gas deliveries to Sarajevo. The special envoy stressed that "it would have been next to impossible to reach this agreement without this circumstance”. Its disruption threatened to be a considerable roll-back from the viewpoint of prospects for a peaceful settlement, which neihter Russia, nor other members of the Contact Group wanted to happen". Although the combat operations in Bosnia are of a local nature, the diplomat continued, they are developing in a very dangerous direction, resulting in an additional number of casualties and refugees. The sides, especially the Moslem-Croatian coalition, try to gain “additional points" by expanding the scale of the tragedy at this stage of a settlement. As for Croatia, the Russian side cannot understand, in principle, the presence of that republic’s troops in Bosnia after the agreement was reached. A great danger of provocations persists under these circumstances. Taking this into consideration, Russia is extremely worried over a prospect for a unilateral reaction of the world community in the form of a force pressure only on one side in the conflict. Zotov expressed hope that Zagreb, although it did not participate in concluding the agreement, will eventually display the necessary will to achieve peace in former Yugoslavia. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Kozyrev Cited on Foreign Policy, Political Future LD1510232695 Moscow NTV in Russian 1800 GMT 15 Oct 95 {Studio interview with Foreign Minister Andrey Kozyrev by Yevgeniy Kiselev from the Itogi newscast — live) (FBIS Translated Text] [Kiselev] Andrey Vladimirovich, how would you explain your po- litical longevity? [Kozyrev] I think, by the fact that I arrived with definite political views and have stuck by them. Both now and at the time these views, taken together, have been connected with the name of Yeltsin, who at the time was chairman of the Supreme Soviet and then president of the Russian Federation. Herein lies the secret. I'm aware of the fact that many people here in Moscow don’t like this fact, and our open foreign policy makes them cringe. [Kiselev] Who, for instance? [Kozyrev] Well, you’ve seen the State Duma’s and the Supreme Soviet’s sittings, you’re aware of the positions taken by entire parties and factions. [Kiselev] You’ ve been criticized not only by the irrecon- cilable opponents of the president but also by his sup- porters. After all, the president himself criticized you last week, incidentally. We all remember the news con- ference in early September and now again there was a conference of aides after which we learned that there, too, had been strong criticism levelled at you. What would you say about that? [Kozyrev] Well, a conference of aides is not synony- mous with the president, and I too have different sources and haven’t yet understood what the problem was there. {Kiselev] But perhaps the strongest criticism of the Foreign Ministry is related to the situation in former Yugoslavia. Many people are speaking about a complete fiasco of Russian diplomacy in connection with Bosnia, although you have always rejected such statements. A truce in Bosnia was attained last week. Do you see it as a success of Russian diplomacy? Has Russian diplomacy made considerable contribution to it? (Kozyrev]} Of course. The truce has shown the material aspect of Russian diplomacy, too, as nothing would have come of it without our gas. [Kiselev}] So our gas was a decisive factor? [Kozyrev] Yes, our gas was of decisive importance. [Kiselev]} But aren’t you afraid that a few years later this whole situation will be consigned to just a few lines in RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 23 history textbooks and these lines will read as follows: after the Bosnian Serbs shelled the Muslim districts of Sarajevo resulting in a high number of casualties among civilians the United States and its NATO allies lost patience and started to implement a very tough policy vis-a-vis the Bosnian Serbs, subjected their positions to heavy bombing, and it was this tough policy precisely that made peace possible. Only Russia was against this tough line but its position was, in essence, ignored. {Kozyrev] It’s not that I’m not afraid but I must say that this is precisely the view of the world around us, perhaps except one or two countries. It’s precisely the view which is prevalent in the world around us. [Kiselev] Yes, take any newspaper and it says that Russia is being ignored by both the United States, its NATO allies, and the Bosnian Serbs. {[Kozyrev] Absolutely. Moreover, it’s true. And what conclusion can be drawn from this — that our views are being left unheeded? No, the following conclusion should be drawn — we have a point of view of our own but many people disagree with it, and such is the nature of the democratic process. And nevertheless we’re seen today as a great power, and nevertheless we’ ve made a contribution ... (Kiselev, interrupting] Are you serious? [Kozyrev] Yes, yes, that’s the way we’re seen, nobody sees us differently today. [Kiselev) In my view it’s wishful thinking. [Kozyrev] No, I’m speaking about things that I know. [Kiselev] In my view the world sees Russia now as a colossus with feet of clay which, in addition, is a potential source of crime export to the West and many other unpleasant things. [Kozyrev] It’s not quite so, although it’s true for some spheres. Well, look, we and the United States continue to be co-sponsors of the Middle East peace process. But one must not forget that, in addition to its political contribution which is quite comparable to ours and we aren’t inferior in any way on this account, the United States is annually paying about $5 billion as gratuitous aid to the countries of the region, whilst we can hardly provide for our embassies, in fact, let alone give $5 billion as aid to these countries. The whole thing comes up against several hundred thousand dollars, perhaps, which the state would not give us, perhaps because it doesn’t have them. [Kiselev] Maybe sponsors should be found? [Kozyrev] Maybe, but we can’t take from sponsors because we’re a foreign ministry, not just an office. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 24 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Over four years we’ ve failed to find money here whereas Mr. Holbrooke, who is mediating in Yugoslavia together with our [Igor] Ivanov, for instance ...[changes thought] ...they are in the following situation, approximately: our Ivanov with two or three aides is travelling by regular flights between all these... [Kiselev, interrupting] ...While Holbrooke has a huge retinue and is flying... [Kozyrev] ...two aircraft, even two aircraft packed with radio equipment which provides immediate communi- cation. In these aircraft he has with him — and doesn’t think about money, he pays for first-class hotels every- where — he has with him cartographers, ethnographers, historians and so on and so forth. You see? [Kiselev] Soon you are to take part in the elections to the Duma. According to law, it will be prohibited to combine ministerial and parliamentarian duties in the next Duma. What does your decision to take part in the elections mean in this case — a premonition of dismissal? [Kozyrev] Well, the same question could have been asked two years ago, too. [Kiselev] But it’s the first time in five years that the president has publicly criticized you so strongly and that all the press of every political hue, from left-wing to extreme right, has started attacking you. In fact, as foreign minister and political figure you have to rely on a certain political base, as is the case everywhere, and the president and his confidence in you were your political base. In this situation when there is so much criticism, you’ve stopped bringing dividends to the common political saving account, you’re bringing nothing but troubles. [Kozyrev] If and when I turn into nothing but a negative phenomenon for everybody, I'll leave of my own accord and the president will tell me so, most likely, because we have quite straightforward relations with him. Generally speaking, it’s his prerogative entirely, he is the president. [Kiselev] And still what’s your forecast about Andrey Vladimirovich Kozyrev after 17 December? Will he be a deputy, still the minister or, perhaps, a professor at a prestigious Western university like Harvard or Stanford? [Kozyrev] You know, for five years I’ve been foreign minister and not a forecaster so I don’t think I should change the role now. Time will tell, I think I'll be the same as I am now. But ‘#f someone wants to try a different policy — not a ~ «rent minister because a minister is not a problem — not a different person but a different policy it’ll be very regrettable, and perhaps FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 we'll pay quite dearly for this as citizens of this country but let’s leave this outside our conversation. [Kiselev] Thank you for the interview. Zotov: Contact Group To Rationalize Efforts in Bosnia LD1510140595 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1335 GMT 15 Oct 95 [By Valeriy Sevryukov] (FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW October 15 (ITAR- TASS) — A Contact Group meeting in Moscow, sched- uled for October 16-17, is expected to rationalise efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, Aleksandr Zotov, the Russian pres- ident’s special representative for the former Yugoslavia, has told ITAR-TASS in an exclusive interview. Zotov said Contact Group members may discuss such documents which “would round off the period of the critical development of the situation and would mark the beginning of peaceful construction and gradual re- integration of the entire region into the European struc- tures". The point is, in particular, to seal and develop principles for a state set-up of Bosnia-Herzegovina and to tackle the humanitarian aspects of a settlement of the situation in the former Yugoslavia. Since each member of the Contact Group would like to become the organiser of one of the elements in a series of such activities, it can be expected that the next phase of working meetings will take place in the United States at the end of October and be held under the talks- at-close-quarters formula, Zotov said. This means that the sides involved in the conflict will be able to devote attention not so much to clearing up relations with one another as, upon gathering in one place, to discussing constructively peaceful settlement problems with international community members as represented by Russia, the U.S. and the European Union, Zotov pointed out. France and Britain also actively advocate the holding of Contact Group meetings in their capitals, with the French side being intent on securing that the Paris meeting sums up political measures within the framework of the peace process. As far as military aspects of the peace process are concerned, Russia’s stand comes to a sufficiently clear- cut determination of a U.N. mandate, under which exclusively multinational forces would be used with an explicit task assigned to them. Provided such conditions are met, Russia would be prepared to send its military contingent to the former Yugoslavia, Zotov said. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 "On the whole, we regard the peace process with cautious optimism, bearing in mind that it is still too fragile so far. This is why the Russian side would like to quicken its pace and expects that the Moscow meeting of the Contact Group will stimulate to the utmost and signify the practical start-up of accords and actions to promote peace in the former Yugoslavia," Zotov pointed out. Russian-NATO Meeting Discusses Bosnia Peace Plan LD1510171695 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1656 GMT 15 Oct 95 [By Aleksandr Mineyev] {FBIS Transcribed Text] SHAPE [Supreme Headquar- ters Allied Powers Europe], October 15 (ITAR-TASS) — A delegation of the Russian General Staff came to the headquarters of NATO Allied Command Europe to- day to attend the planning of the multinational peace implementation operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The delegation is led by Lieutenant-General Leonty Shevtsov. U.S. allied commander General George Joulwan intro- duced to the Russians NATO commanders and military delegates to its headquarters of the alliance’s 16 mem- ber nations. Joulwan led Shevtsov into his office to show him the map of the former Yugoslavia, saying that the region will be their common concern in the winter ahead and that he hopes for Russia’s cooperation in establishing peace in the region. Joulwan told reporters that NATO welcomes at its headquarters the delegation of Russia, a country with important roles in Europe and in the world. “We truly are one team focused on one mission — peace in all Bosnia," Joulwan said. General Shevtsov voiced the hope that the joint planning would result in "an acceptable mechanism for participa- tion of non-members of NATO" in the peace implemen- tation effort. Shevtsov said he and Joulwan had a general discussion of the military aspects of the future peace-policing operation in an initial hour-long talk. He stressed that this will be “an operation of multina- tional peace implementation force in Bosnia and Herze- govina", not just NATO’s action. The talk was attended by Russian Ambassador to Belgium Vitaliy Churkin. RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 25 Diplomatic and military sources informed ITAR-TASS that the delegation of the Russian General Staff is to Stay at the NATO headquarters for at least five days, with a busy schedule already available for this span. NATO Secretary General Interviewed on Bosnia LD1510235095 Moscow Russian Public Television First Channel Network in Russian 1900 GMT 15 Oct 95 (From the "Sunday" program] ([FBIS Translated Text] In an exclusive interview with our program earlier this week, NATO Secretary General Willy Claes insisted that the probability of a dual command and the subordination of peacekeeping forces in Bosnia were out of question. [Begin recording] [Aleksey Pushkov, head of the ORTV press service, in English with superimposed Russian translation] Mr. Secretary General, what is your opinion on the proposal made by Russian Defense Minister Grachev that rotating command of the multinational forces by the NATO and Russia should be established in Bosnia? (Claes, in English with superimposed Russian transla- tion] Our military are not very enthusiastic about the idea. They think that such a command will not be very effective. They prefer cooperation between the military structures to the principle of rotation. This is the mil- itary viewpoint. Personally, I am not a military expert and can only tell you what I have heard from our gen- erals. [Pushkov] At present the question of Russia joining the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia is being discussed. What options do you see? [Claes] First of all, let me say that in order to implement the peace agreement in Bosnia, which I hope will soon be concluded, Russian participation is necessary in all cases. There is a number of reasons for that. Russia is a member of the UN Security Council. It also actively Participates in the work of the Contact Group. Finally, Russia has long had close links with at least one of the sides participating in the conflict. Therefore, there is nothing to argue about. We are prepared to cooperate with the Russians. You must also not think that we got involved in all of this simply to support one of the sides in Bosnia. We intend to play a neutral role, but impose our rules of the game on all three warring sides. If one of the sides breaks the agreement, and I do not know who that might be, we will immediately take measures to ensure a complete compliance with the rules of the games and a successful implementation of the peace agreement. So, we are prepared to cooperate. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 26 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS But I would like to make it perfectly clear. The peace agreement cannot be implemented on the principle of a dual key. We also insist that the peacekeeping efforts must be carried out according to the NATO rules of the game. [Pushkov] Do you think that at present Russia represents a danger to the Western alliance or to Central and Eastern Europe? [Claes] No, we do not consider Russia as being a threat. Not at all. This is why we are trying to strengthen cooperation in various fields, bearing in mind Russia’s size and its potential as a European country, although a large proportion of its territory is in Asia. (Pushkov] Do you accept the idea of Russia becoming a member of NATO, and if so, what will happen to NATO? [Claes] Frankly speaking, we have not discussed the question of which particular countries will be accepted into NATO. So, the inclusion of Russia into the bloc cannot be ruled out. But I cannot give a positive answer to your question. I simply do not know the answer. If you ask me about the possibility of including any other country into NATO, I will give the same answer. But, as far as I know, full membership in the NATO is not on Moscow’s agenda at the moment. [Pushkov] In its latest documents NATO does not rule out accepting in its ranks countries bordering with Russia. Does it mean that there is a possibility of, for example, the Baltic republics joining the NATO, and that in such a case, and in certain conditions, of NATO troops or even nuclear weapons possibly being deployed on their territory? [Claes] Once again, I would like to stress that we have not studied the question of which countries will be accepted into NATO. Because this question has not been discussed, one cannot rule out the possibility of any country. And another point. The more some politicians in Moscow criticize the expansion of NATO, the less results it will bring, and the more some countries will knock on my door and ask for the expansion process to be speeded up. I am not sure what is the reason, maybe because of fear of Russia. [end recording] Shumeyko: Stance on NATO Expansion ‘Understood’ LD1310205095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1927 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) VIENNA, Oct 13 (IN- TERFAX) — All officials who met with Vladimir Shumeyko, Russian Federation Council speaker and head of the upper house’s official delegation to Ger- FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 many and Austria, understood explanations of Russia’s position on NATO eastward expansion. However, by no means all of them share Russia’s point of view on the issue, Shumeyko told a news conference in Vienna Friday. Earlier, President Yeltsin said that as a retaliatory measure to the admission of Central and East European countries to NATO Russia may initiate the creation of a bloc of CIS countries, which allowed Western experts to speculate about the renewal of the Cold War. "The only thing inspiring hope is that German Chancel- lor Helmut Kohl has understood Russia’s point of view, and if Germany as our partner wants Russia to pursue democratic development, this point of view will be com- municated to Germany’s other partners in Europe and in the world," stressed Shumeyko. The speaker visited Germany on October 9-11 and Austria on October 11-13. Official Discusses Joint Oil Projects With Cuba LD1610093495 (FBIS Editorial Report) Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian at 0317 GMT on 16 October carries at 500-word report on Russia and Cuba setting up a joint venture for wholesale distribution of oil and petroleum products. ITAR-TASS was told this in Havana by Petr Nidzelskiy, Russian deputy fuel and power engineering minister. The venture, in which the Russian partners are state oil company Rosneft and overseas oil and gas infrastructure specialist Zarubezhneftegazstroy, will also aim to attract more foreign investment to the island. Nidzelskiy, who was in Havana as part of a government trade delegation, told the agency of other oil-related collaboration plans laid by the two countries. A Russian delegation is due in Cuba later in October to study offshore oil survey opportunities. “If the analysis looks good, then Russia is ready to start extracting oil in the region, sharing the risks and the profits,” the agency said. In 1996, Russian specialists will help complete construc- tion of a pipeline linking Matanzas port and a refinery being built at Cienfuegos. Also, “in the coming months" Russia will help plan the completion of the Cienfue- gos refinery and the refurbishment of another refinery at Santiago de Cuba. A number of Russian banks and oil industry organiza- tions are interested in these projects, Nidzelskiy said. The Cienfuegos refinery alone, which he said will be This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 able to meet half of Cuba’s petroleum needs, is expected to cost about $100 million. The Cubans are offering fiex- ible finance terms and might let third countries join in the work, he added. Trade Agreements Signed; Visit Ends LD1610052095 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0022 GMT 16 Oct 95 (By ITAR-TASS special correspondents Oleg Velichko and Konstantin Zhukovskiy] (FBIS Translated Text] Havana, 16 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — The official visit of to Cuba of Oleg Soskovets, first deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation, ended on Sunday [15 October] with the signing of eight documents aimed at the development of bilateral commercial and economic relations. In Havana’s Palace of Congresses that evening Soskovets and Carlos Lage Davila, vice president of the Cuban Council of State, signed a protocol on trade for 1996-98 envisaging reciprocal supplies under the oil-for-sugar scheme, an intergovernmental agreement on tourism, and also a memorandum on the results of the talks which took place. The Russo-Cuban documents testify to the qualita- tively new stage of cooperation between the two states, stripped of ideological basis, Soskovets said at the solemn ceremony. In his opinion, the Cuban Govern- ment’s desire to embody the idea of integrating the is- land into the world economic system is today finding real fulfillment. Reviewing the outcome of the Russo- Cuban talks, he stressed that the sides had fulfilled the instructions given by the leaders of the two states. In the last few days Russo-Cuban relations have expe- rienced very important moments, Carlos Lage Davila said. Both countries are showing a resoluteness to ful- fill the signed documents. Close economic ties and their complement — commercial relations, feelings of friend- liness, and respect — are the basis of successful devel- opment of bilateral relations. A number of inter-departmental documents were also signed at the ceremony, concerning cooperation in the fields of commerce, transportation, power engineering, and scientific and technical cooperation. The sides signed letters of exchange extending a 30 million credit (units not specified] allocated by Russia for mothballing the atomic power station being built here in Juragua. RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 27 Soskovets Trip Seen as Message to U.S. MMI1610085795 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 14 Oct 95 p3 [Report by Yevgeniy Bay: "Soskovets Brings to Havana Our Response to Washington"] (FBIS Translated Text] Toasts can once again be heard in Havana in honor of indestructible Cuban-Russian friendship. Oleg Soskovets declared Castro a strategic ally and everyone said in unison that the former misunderstandings are a thing of the past. Soskovets brought with him to Havana a personal message from Yeltsin and a 40-man team of government Officials, bankers, businessmen, and military personnel. They spent almost a week touring and clambering around the whole island, visiting all the monuments to past cooperation that have been cast to the will of fate and begun to rot — the unfinished nuclear power station, the abandoned nickel plant, and the neglected super-harbor. During their travels the Russian leaders recalled that during the era of fraternity, Russia also got things from Cuba. And that was the plain truth. In addition to a wide range of citrus fruits Cuban "Partagas" cigarettes, along with three-year-old and one-year-old “Havana Club" rum (the latter was, admittedly, rather like methylated spirits), were sold in our country for those with a cast- iron palate. There were also candies and marmalade made from the tropical guava. However, there should already be an abundance of all these products in Russia’s stores! Because back in late 1993, the creation of the joint "RosKuba” superconcern was announced, comprising all the giants of national industry, including the Siberian oil giants, a major Russian airline, leading banks, and food importers. But two years on the joint Russian-Cuban economic front is only represented by one small joint enterprise manufacturing chocolate candy, and it’s the Spanish who call the shots there. What about marmalade! The two countries have for years been unable to perform the simplest of barter operations — swapping oil for sugar. Russia hopes to receive in October 1995 some of the sugar that we should have gotten in early 1994, while this year’s contract will be deferred to late 1996. Those responsible for the deal, who won the right to buy raw sugar from Cuba — Menatep-Impeks and Alfa-Ako — put in a tremendous amount of effort and money to persuade the Russian press that Cuban raw sugar is the cheapest in the world. Now they cannot agree the price at which the sugar bought from Cuba will be sold to the state. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 28 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS In 1993 Cuba was allocated a $350-million loan to complete the unfinished installations abandoned by the Soviet Union for natural reasons. So far the Cubans have not received a cent of this money. Finance Ministry leaders shrug their shoulders: The problem of Cuba’s debts to Russia has not been resolved. Nor was Castro prepared to resolve this problem during his meeting with Soskovets. The visitor was only told: We will talk when Cuba has restored its economic potential. But he was asked to talk about Russia’s debts immediately. Defense Minister Raul Castro reminded Soskovets that Moscow has to pay the lease on the electronic tracking station, whose task is to keep an eye on the Americans. The Cubans are demanding $200 million, but Russian leaders cannot even so much as hint that this money should be offset against Cuba’s debts, which run to over $20 billion. They cannot do so because the whole scenario for Soskovets’ visit would be upset. I remember that Russian leaders not so long ago tried to persuade the world that there would be no return to military cooperation with Cuba. Now there is talk in Havana of the resumption of military ties. Indeed, when NATO is declaring its readiness to move eastward, why should we not go westward and reinforce our previously abandoned redoubts? Fidel is happy that the Russians who betrayed him have returned to once again offer friendship. Soskovets also feels good: We are not obliged to do as the United States says, we are doing what we want. Needless to say, that is the main thing, and we will somehow manage without the sugar, the citrus fruits, and the rum. Fuel Minister Hails Decision on Caspian Oil Routes LDI1610112295 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian U939 GMT 16 Oct 95 (By ITAR-TASS correspondent Igor Ivantsov] (FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 16 Oct (ITAR-TASS) A win for Russia is how Yuriy Shafranik, Russian minister for fuel and power engineering described the decision of the international oil consortium to transport the “early Caspian oil" along two routes — Georgian and Russian. He told ITAR-TASS that this decision properly takes into consideration Russia’s interests and provides the chance to realize the capacity of the Baku- Groznyy-Novorossiysk Pipeline, which has already been built. “This is a good decision for Russia because we have the pipeline, it is in working order, and is already being used partly to pump oil from Chechnya”, said the FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Shafranik repeated what he had said earlier, that there was no other alternative to the Russian option of transporting oil and the economic benefit for all is obvious. He added that the Russian option has much in reserve and thus “it has a realistic chance of being used for transporting the bulk of the oil from the Caspian.” The minister also said that there is no need to reassess the consortium’s decision. "We should not call it historic because this consortium of international oil companies will not be the only one in the region." According to him, plans for several more consortia to develop other oil fields on the Caspian shelf are already being worked on by Azerbaijan and foreign partners. This is why Russia has responded with reserve to the “raging passions” on the eve of the consortium’s deci- sion, Shafranik said. “Russia is still a great power, we have a ready option for transportation, great influence, and wide-ranging contacts in this region so we do not need to worry,” he added. Two-Pipeline Solution for Azerbaijan Oil ‘Temporary’ MMI1610112295 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 14 Oct 95 p15 [Article by Aleksandr Krasulin: "Where There’s a Whiff of Oil You're Bound to Find Americans. The United States Wants to See a Steady, Uninterrupted Supply of Azerbaijani Oil to Western Markets") (FBIS Translated Text] As has been reported before, the leaders of an international consortium engaged in developing oil deposits in Azerbaijan reached a compromise on Monday — the Azerbaijani oil will be transported by two routes: a northern, via Russia, and a western, via Georgia and Turkey. The initial stage of development will be served by a Russian pipeline to Novorossiysk, while the second pipeline will be commissioned later. Essentially the decision on oil pipeline routes was dic- tated by Washington. U.S. administration representa- tives have repeatedly insisted of late on the need for several options for the delivery of Azerbaijani oil to Western markets. Not long before the session of the Azerbaijan International Operating Company [AIOC] steering committee, at which this question was tack- led, U.S. President Bill Clinton recommended that the consortium approve the aforementioned routes, and on 2 October he had a nearly 30-minute telephone conversa- tion with Azerbaijan President Geydar Aliyev. The U.S. President urged Aliyev to support his proposal on the choice of these two routes, actually stressing that this might help reduce political instability in the region. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Officials in the White House refused to tell journalists what Aliyev said in reply. At the same time, THE NEW YORK TIMES saw the U.S. President’s appeal as an attempt to pressure the Azerbaijani leadership, which has to ratify the decision. The new stage in the struggle for Caspian oil unfolded following the discovery of three deposits containing an estimated 511 million tonnes of recoverable stocks. This is more than has been extracted in Azerbaijan in the past 45 years. One result of this was Azerbaijan’s signing last September of a contract with the international con- sortium which took three years to prepare. Participants, terms, interest rates flickered past as in a kaleidoscope, mirroring the succession of rulers and ruling clans.... The project was conceived under President Mutalibov. It was given a political flavor by President Elchibey, leader of the People’s Front. From the very beginning he entertained the idea of laying a pipeline across Turkey, and his plan was that Western companies would extract the oil. But when Aliyev came to power he demanded a new look at the terms of the contract, which, in his opinion, was detrimental to Azerbaijan’s national interests as it stood. The region’s countries naturally had no intention of standing by while the enormous oil pie was divided up. Turkey became involved in the great political game for Caucasian oil immediately after the breakup of the USSR. It was prompted by the rather complex economic Situation in that country. Iran also had pretensions to participation in the contract. Azerbaijan was intending to transfer five percent of its block of shares to it for supporting the new interpreta- tion of the status of the Caspian. But the United States was resolutely opposed to its participation, so Iran was left out of the deal of the century. Analysts in Washington believe that the fate of the Azerbaijan project will now determine whether the development of the region — one of the world leaders in the energy supply sphere in the next century — is going to be pro-Western or something else. On the pretext of protecting U.S. interests, therefore, the Clinton Administration is publicly opposing Russia in the Caspian basin and trying to accuse Moscow, which currently has control of all the pipelines linking this region to the Western market, of wanting to establish control over the former Soviet republics. According to those behind the project, on the one hand the compromise involving the construction of two pipelines on different routes will guarantee continuous supplies of oil to Western markets irrespective of Kur- dish activity in Turkey and the situation in Chechnya, RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 29 where the northern branch will pass. On the other hand, it is a gracious gesture to Russia, which still has strong influence in the region and could hinder or even stall the consortium’s activities for many years. Nonetheless, the compromise is more of a temporary nature, and once they have gained a foothold in the region Western firms will find it easy to abandon it. As consortium head Terry Adams said immediately after the decision, in the long term an oil pipeline via Georgia and Turkey to one of the latter’s Mediterranean ports will be the preferred option. Zatulin: Giorgadze’s Extradition, Azeri Oil Connected LD1410173295 Moscow Radiostantsiya Ekho Moskvy in Russian 1600 GMT 14 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text] Konstantin Zatulin, head of the Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, said in an interview with our radio station that Igor Giorgadze, former member of the Georgian security services, would not be handed over to the Georgian side. [Begin Zatulin recording] The reason, it seems, is that judging by everything, Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze managed to trick Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin into having the oil pipeline in Georgia, as was decided in Baku, and even more so in Washington. Clinton has personally recommended this route for the oil pipeline. He is our expert in Soviet geography. In connection with the fact that despite all Russia’s objections, this oil pipeline is expected to go through Georgia, I do not think Giorgadze will be found in Moscow now. [end recording] ROK Ambassador Praises Operation To Free Hostages LD1510153195 Moscow 2x2 Television in Russian 1400 GMT 15 Oct 95 [FBIS Translated Text] After passing a sleepless night at the scene of the hostage-taking incident, Kim Sok- kyu, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea, kindly agreed to give an interview to "2x2 News." Kim Sok-kyu highly praised the actions of the Moscow authorities as a whole, and, particularly, the special units involved in releasing the South Korean hostages. He said that by carrying out the operation the unit observed the principle of the value of human life, therefore, none of the hostages had been harmed. The actions of the various law enforcement units and the authorities were uncommonly well coordinated. The ambassador voiced the opinion that the incident had a purely criminal basis and could happen io tourists from This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. x» RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS any country. Kim Sok-kyu said that the incident might reduce the number of people wishing to visit Russia, but on the whole, it would not affect the country’s international tourist market. Talbott’s Visit Seen as Narrowing ‘Differences’ LD1310171595 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1602 GMT 13 Oct 95 [By diplomatic correspondents Aleksandr Korzun, Igor Porshnev, Yevgeniy Terekhov, and others: From the "Diplomatic Panorama" feature] (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — Russia and the U.S. are intensifying coop- eration in the Balkans. In connection with this two U.S. deputy secretaries of state will participate in the Moscow session of the Contact Group on Bosnia, to be held on October 16-17, a high-ranking Russian Foreign Ministry official told INTERFAX Friday. According to the diplomat, Richard Holbrooke, in charge of peaceful settlement in former Yugoslavia, and also First Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, known to be President Bill Clinton’s top adviser on Russia, will come to Moscow. The diplomat believes this demonstrates that Washing- ton intends to maximize efforts in Bosnia so that an international conference on the issue may be possible as early as this year. This "fully corresponds with our own interests," he added. In addition, the Foreign Ministry official said that Tal- bott’s visit is an attempt to narrow differences between Russia and the U.S. "It is no secret that relations be- tween Moscow and Washington have noticeably cooled after NATO air strikes in Bosnia carried out regardless of the Russian position,” said the diplomat. He sug- gested that in the run-up to the U.S.-Russian summit scheduled for late October Washington decided to set- tle the disputes peacefully. Foreign Ministry Communique on Kozyrev-Udovenko Talks LD1310193995 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1821 GMT 13 Oct 95 [FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 13 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — Detailed talks between Andrey Kozyrev and Hen- nadiy I. Udovenko, the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers, took place today in an atmosphere of frank- ness, friendship, and mutual respect. This is stated in the official joint press release whose text reached ITAR- TASS from the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Feder- ation. The document says: FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 "Questions of the development of Russian-Ukrainian co- operation in accordance with the accords reached dur- ing the recent meetings between Russian President B.N. Yeltsin and Ukrainian President L.D. Kuchma, and also between Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yevhen Marchuk took pride of place in the talks. "It was noted that it was in the interests of both states and their citizens to improve working relations, to de- velop cooperation, to set up and operate joint ventures, financial and industrial groups, and to consolidate the agreements and legal basis of their relations on border issues, in the humanitarian sphere, culture, science, and education. "While discussing the problem of the Black Sea fleet set- tlement, the sides advocated a concrete and constructive dialogue on the subject in order to resolve the problem on the basis of the agreement signed by the presidents of the two countries in Sochi. "The sides stated a proximity of positions regarding the process of formation of a new European political landscape and the need to work out a model of common and comprehensive security in Europe in the 2lst century. "It was stressed here that is it important not to permit new dividing lines to emerge in Europe and to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the interests of ensuring peace and stability on the continent. "After examining the development of the situation in former Yugoslavia, the sides agreed to consult constantly regarding efforts to support the development of the political process, proceeding from the firm conviction that only such a path leads to a balanced, just, all-embracing, and lasting settlement. Movement toward achieving a political solution must proceed in parallel with the lifting of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. "A.V. Kozyrev and H.I. Udovenko advocated the deep- ening of Russian-Ukrainian interaction in international affairs. In this connection it was decided to draw up a specific plan for consultations between representatives of the foreign policy departments of the two countries in accordance with the protocol on consultations and co- operation between the Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministries, signed in Moscow on 26 July of this year." Lysenko Reportedly Threatened by UNA-UNSO LD1510174995 Kiev UNIAR in Ukrainian 1930 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Moscow [no dateline as re- ceived) — Nikolay Lysenko, people’s deputy of the This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Russian State Duma, who tore up a Ukrainian state flag in the Russian Parliament in August, has told the mass media that his life and safety is being threatened by the Ukrainian National Assembly-Ukrainian National Self- Defense organization [UNA-UNSO]. According to Ly- senko, in the last few days he had received a letter from the commander of UNA’s first company. The document says in particular: "You are a Ukrainian but behave like a Muscovite. In tearing up the blue and yellow flag you betrayed the memory of hundreds of thousands of Ukraine’s best sons and daughters, under which they gave up their lives for an independent fatherland. For hundreds of years Moscow and the Muscovites were oc- cupiers on holy Ukrainian land." The letter contains a death penalty which, in the words of the Russian deputy, was imposed on him by the Ukrainian organization. Ly- senko said that he was taking seriously the threats from the UNA-UNSO and intended to take measures for his personal safety. Chita Proposes Russia-PRC Border Dispute Settlement MKI1410150795 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 13 Oct 95 p3 [Report by Oleg Kryuchek: "Chita Is Proposing Its Own Way of Settling Border Disputes Between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. Joint Economic Activity is Proposed on the Russian-Chinese Border") {[FBIS Translated Text] The Chita Oblast administra- tion, on its own initiative, has proposed to the Russian Foreign Ministry its own way of settling territorial dis- putes that arise in the course of demarcation work in the eastern section of the Russian-Chinese border. Having given up the practices of its Khabarovsk and Maritime neighbors, who keep claiming that the current demarca- tion is a mere ceding of age-old Russian lands to China, Chita is suggesting that a framework intergovernmental agreement be worked out and signed on joint economic use of the territories of Russia and China that are given to either of the sides as a result of demarcation. Specif- ically, it is suggested that an experiment be carried out on Mengeseli Island (70 km long, seven km wide, with an area of 17,500 hectares) on the border river of Ar- gun, which is to be transferred to Chinese jurisdiction under the demarcation terms. According to the latest information, the Russian For- eign Ministry has paid very serious attention to Chita’s proposal, and recently Russian diplomats sent a note to PRC officials containing a justification for joint eco- nomic use of Mengeseli Island. The note emphasizes that experimental joint economic activity on the dis- puted territory should further promote good-neighborly RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 31 Russian-Chinese relations and preserve the forms of economic activity traditional for people living near the border. Russia is pointing out that this territory should be used entirely for traditional economic purposes, such as haymaking, cattle grazing, farming, and wood cut- ting, with all kinds of commercial and intermediary activities banned. To simplify the procedure of cross- ing the border, the Russian Foreign Ministry suggests that local dwellers be admitted to the island with their national domestic passports and identity cards or with single-entry or multi-entry passes. Your SEGODNYA correspondent has been told at the Chita Oblast administration that the Chinese side has treated the Russian proposals "with great attention and understanding,” since the proposed model could become a universal one in the settlement of all territorial disputes. The text of an intergovernmental agreement is already being worked on in Beijing. Deputy Foreign Minister Views Relations With Poland WS1610145695 Poznan WPROST in Polish 15 Oct 95 pp 69-70 {Interview with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Krylov by Waldemar Gontarski and Iwona Parchimowicz in Moscow, date not given: "A Lesson In Democracy"] (FBIS Translated Text] [WPROST] Does Russia, by suggesting new principles of economic integration to former CEMA members, intend to turn Poland and other countries in our region into a sphere of influence? [Krylov] These suggestions should not be seen as an attempt at recreating CEMA in its former shape. There are neither the circumstances nor the will. We are not considering the establishment of a new domineering structure. Poland and Russia both want to develop eco- nomic cooperation. Your embassy in Moscow, headed by Stanislaw Ciosek, whom I greatly respect, is very ac- tive in this respect. If 80 percent of our relations were economic and 20 percent — political, we would have the proper balance. I wish to ask my Polish friends: Are you against developing economic ties? Do you not want Polish products to have easier access to the Russian mar- ket? Would you not prefer for more Russian products to reach Poland and Europe? I am talking, naturally, of competitive goods which cost less because they do not have to be exported a long way and their production is cheaper. Tell me, are you against developing huge joint economic projects? If you do not agree with all this, why do you want to purchase fuel carriers from Russia which are less expensive than those offered by other states, for instance in the Middle East? Why was This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 32 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Poland so eager to approve of the idea of the Russian vil and gas pipeline worth $2.5 billion which also cre- 2 >s a huge number of new jobs? [WPROST] Do you not think that the document is vague and thus invites the danger of far-fetched interpreta- tions? It deals with the economy, ecology, and cul- ture but fails to provide suggestiqns for creating mutual banks and does not say a word on protecting transac- tions and investments against risk, political included. {Krylov} If you claim such solutions are lacking, let your experts prepare them. Perhaps we really have overlooked something. Let us talk. [WPROST] How do the suggestions of economic rela- tions between the Russian Federation and former CEMA members fit in with GATT, the Central European Free Trade Agreement and contacts with the EU? {Krylov} They fit in very well. Poland’s and Russia’s top priority is to approach the EU. Approximately 40 percent of our economic turnover is with EU states. Once the agreement on cooperation and friendship becomes effective, this figure may rise to 60 percent. Initial talks ave under way on the establishment of a free trade zone by states of the Central European Initiative. The combined population of these states is 110 million, plus 160 million people in Russia. Just think of the benefits of a free exchange of goods and services on this territory. [WPROST] The proposal of the Russian Foreign Min- istry coincided with the signing of “Russia’s Strategy Towards CIS States" by President Boris Yeltsin. The Russian press claims this strategy consists of combin- ing economic and military cooperation, and its ultimate objective is to create a counterbalance to NATO. [Krylov] It is well known that we are against the expansion of the alliance; we do not want it to approach our borders. Considering that until recently our closest neighbors were part of the same state, their tendencies to restore the ties that were broken off over the last few years are natural. [WPROST] The new provisions combine the economy with military cooperation, security issues and the secret services. [Krylov] Security has thus far been seen exclusively from the military perspective in line with the belief that the more tanks and planes there are the imore solid the foundations of peace. In reality, we can speak of real security when we do not have organized crime, drug and arms trade, robbery. The secret services deal with that. The secret services of our countries should cooperate in these fields. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 [WPROST] What political concessions is Russia expect- ing from Poland in exchange for tightening economic cooperation? [Krylov] We are not even alluding to any political concessions. Please understand that times have changed completely. There is no longer the type of cooperation we had 20 years ago, when Moscow dictated the rules. [WPROST] Is the Russian veto to the enlargement of NATO not an example of the old form of contacts? [Krylov] No. The Poles are saying: NATO should expand. We reply we do not want the alliance to accept new members. Currently, unlike during the 1970s, both sides can voice their opinions openly. ([WPROST] During his visit to Warsaw, President Yeltsin first agreed to NATO expansion — only to radically change his opinion later on. [Krylov] Years go by and the Poles always focus on the same problem, endlessly repeating the same question. A year and a half ago I had the pleasure of talking to President Walesa. He asked me the very same question and added: "I will not ask Moscow whether Poland is to enter NATO." I replied: "Thank you very much for these words, for taking the burden of deciding about Poland’s membership in NATO off Russia’s shoulders." [WPROST] Nearly all political persuasions in our country want Poland to join the alliance. Why is the Kremlin against these aspirations? [Krylov] I can agree all the Polish political forces want to join NATO, but I cannot agree with the opinion that all Poles share this wish. You have not yet calculated the costs of joining the alliance. Do you know how much it costs to support one soldier in the Western states? Equipping, training and supporting one soldier in the alliance costs an average of $100,000 annually — far more than is spent in Poland on the same purpose. [WPROST] How much will we have to pay for the Russian mafia? [Krylov] To counteract it you do not necessarily have to enlarge NATO. It is enough if [Polish Interior Minister] Milczanowski visits Moscow and [Russian Interior Minister] Kulikov revisits Warsaw more often. You cannot restrict yourself to talks between politicians and the military. Economists and experts in various fields should be invited to take part in the debate, together with demographers — who would say what the social structure shall be 10, 15 years from now. [WPROST] The Russian papers have been suggesting lately that in exchange for concessions made by NATO to Russia on the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 [CFE] treaty, Moscow will agree to the enlargement of the alliance to include the states of Central Europe. [Krylov] A few months ago we presented our sugges- tions on the CFE treaty because the document had been developed back in the days of the USSR. The political geography of the time was quite different. We are sat- isfied that our suggestions have finally been heard. We have no intention of showing off our muscles to anyone. We do not wish to threaten anyone. We have gathered too many tanks in Siberia, so you can have them if you want, providing you transport them at your own cost. Speculations that NATO might back out on the issue of the conventional armed forces or that Moscow might change her opinion on the enlargement of the alliance do not lead anywhere. RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 33 [WPROST] Is Russia democratic enough not to be suspect of evil intentions? [Krylov] Democracy is most important, real democracy and not chaos. We do not yet know what democracy is. We have never lived in a democracy. That is why we also resort to imperial methods. Yet we will definitely learn. The learning process could be shortened if we did not have to be irritated by various issues, for instance whether Poland is to join NATO and what the president had said on the topic two and a half years earlier. We will learn about democracy more quickly if we concentrate on constructing pipelines, fighting the mafia, or guaranteeing that more Hortex [Polish food processing company] products reach Moscow. is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. ce RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Political Issues Terrorist Killed in Hijack of Tour Bus Outside Kremlin ITAR-TASS Gives Account of Hijacking LD1510081795 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 0633 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW October 15 (ITAR- TASS) — All the four South Korean tourists, who were freed as a result of an anti-terrorist operation here last night have spent the night at the Embassy of their country in Moscow and are due to move to a hotel on Sunday morning. They declined any comments, Lee Sok-bae, Press Attache of the South Korean Embassy in Moscow, has told ITAR-TASS. Both Russians — the bus driver and an interpreter are also having a rest. The South Korean diplomat commended the high pro- fessionalism of Russian commandos who stormed the bus. "The entire operation took not more than one minute. The terrorist fired several shots from a pistol. But, luckily, they were not aimed. None of the hostages was hurt. They all are safe and sound, although morally fatigued," the diplomat said. The bus was hijacked on Saturday at approximately 17.30 [1430 GMT] in downtown Moscow, 150 metres from the Kremlin residence of the President of Russia on Saturday. An unidentified armed gunman forced his way into the bus which carried 25 South Korean tourists and two Russians — a driver and a tour guide, and, upon declaring all of them to be hostages, demanded a ransom of 30 million U.S. dollars and an unimpeded ride to one of Moscow airports. During the ensuing talks, in which Moscow Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov and Federal Security Service Director Mikhail Barsukov took most active part, the atmosphere was considerably eased. The terrorist agreed to free all women and then some of the men and reduced the demanded ransom to one million USD. By midnight on Saturday, ambulance cars were brought to the bus which had been blockaded for eight hours by the commandos from among elite anti-terrorist units OMON [Special Purpose Militia Detachment) and SOBR, a special rapid-reaction unit under the authority of Moscow Main Police Department. At approximately one a.m. on Sunday, the terrorist demanded that the ransom be paid to him immediately and that the bus be freed to ride, threatening, otherwise, to blow up the bus and kill the hostages. He was told that the bus was lacking fuel to reach any airport and FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 was Offered another bus. The gunman declined it. The Situation was getting strained with any passing minute. At about 02.50 the Most-Bank security van rode up to the bus. After a bag (with money, as journalists believe) was handed over to the terrorist, a powerful blast occurred near the bus. That was the beginning of a storming operation, during which the terrorist was killed. None of the hostages and Alpha group commandos were hurt, although the terrorist managed to fire several pistol shots. Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov, who was at the site of the drama, confirmed to Tass that nobody among the hostages and the commandos had "received a single scratch". Luzhkov said the nationality of the terrorist had not been identified so far, but that he spoke "a southern Russian accent”. The Vasilyevsky spusk (bank slope) became world- known when German pilot Mathias Rust landed his Cessna sport plane there on May 28, 1987, in the perestroika times of former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. Rust succeeded to illegally cross the Soviet border and escape from the Air Force. However, he did not escape a Soviet jail, but was soon amnestied and returned home. Kulikov Pleased With Operation LD1510213095 Moscow NTV in Russian 1800 GMT 15 Oct 95 [From the "Itogi" program] (FBIS Translated Text] [Correspondent Yevgeniy Kise- lev] Today’s main event is the seizure of 26 hostages by a terrorist near the country’s main symbol, the Moscow Kremlin, an act unprecedented in its cheek. Let us re- call the shock daring pilot Matthias Rust gave the whole country. Now yesterday a new drama was played out at virtually the same spot where Rust landed his air- craft eight years ago. This morning we went to Gen- eral Anatoliy Kulikov, the Russian interior minister, to talk to him about the situation in Chechnya. However, the events of yesterday evening and last night on Vasi- lyevskiy Spusk of course compelled us to start our con- versation with the minister with that topic. [Begin recording] [Kiselev, speaking to Kulikov in offices] Anatoliy Sergeyevich, I expect that very many people sat up very late last night watching television for news of the fate of the hostages seized on Vasilyevskiy Spusk. How did you spend the night? {Kulikov) For the internal affairs bodies, chiefly those of Moscow, it was also a very restless night, for the is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 same reason. But I want to say that as a result of precise actions between the special services of Moscow Region and the Federal Security Service, the operation was Cafried out successfully, as you know. I think that Mikhail Ivanovich Barsukov, Federal Security Service head, is also satisfied with his subordinates because the main burden of the mission fell upon them. I am pleased with my subordinates, too. This demonstrates once again that measures were taken in good time to set up the anti- terrorist center and the training for it, and proves need for such forces. [Kiselev] What was your role in this operation? [Kulikov] In this operation, the internal affairs bodies blockaded the approaches, took part in the negotiating process, and ensured the success of the snatch group’s action. [Kiselev] A great many questions undoubtedly arise. How could such a thing, such an unprecedented inci- dent, happen literally under the walls of the Kremlin? I recall there was a time when virtually every other passerby in the Red Square area was a special services staffer in plain clothes, monitoring law and order. Is it possible to give warning of such acts? Or is this not the function of the militia or the internal affairs bodies in general? [Kulikov] Ensuring security and ensuring public order is observed does come within the functions of the militia. As for such an incident, you understand it is virtually impossible to keep track of every bus and every citizen: We do not have total surveillance, times have changed. Access to the Kremlin is completely different now. In short, there are questions to be asked in this regard. But in the case at issue, it was discovered after the criminal signalled he had taken the hostages by firing in the air. The signs of a terrorist act can only be detected if it is signalled in some way. But this act was localized in good time, and measures were taken in good time, and on that score here I do not think there are any questions to be asked. [end recording] Yeltsin Signs Law on Regulation of Foreign Trade LD1310221195 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1929 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 13 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — President Boris Yeltsin today signed a Federal Law on the State Regulation of Foreign Trade Activity. This was passed by the State Duma on 7 July and approved by the Federation Council on 21 July. This legal act defines the basis of state regulation of foreign trade activity, how it is carried out by Russian and foreign entities, the rights, duties, and responsibility of state bodies of the Russian Federation and state authorities for RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 35 members of the Russian Federation as regards foreign trade. ITAR-TASS received the text of the law from the com- puterization and documentation department of the ad- ministration of the president of the Russian Federation. Kozyrev Prepared To Resign if Yeltsin So Wishes LD1610124095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1117 GMT 16 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 16 (INTER- FAX) — Russia’s Foreign Minister Andrey Kozyrev is prepared to resign, if an appropriate decision comes from the Russian president. "This is President Boris Yeltsin’s full prerogative," Kozyrev declared in a televised interview on Sunday. “The matter is about foreign policy rather than who is minister. If policy changes, all of us as citizens of Russia will pay a high price for it," Kozyrev noted. Zaveryukha: Yeltsin Backs Further Support for Agriculture LD1310194095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1639 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Trauscribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — President Yeltsin has agreed it is necessary to step up government support for the agro-industrial com- plex, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Zaveryukha has said. He was speaking at a news conference on Friday following a meeting with President Yeltsin the day be- fore. Zaveryukha, who is in charge of agriculture in the Cabi- net, briefed Yeltsin on the serious situation in the agrar- ian sector. He asked him to persuade the government to increase investments into the agro-industrial complex to allow farmers rent and purchase farm machinery, fertil- izers and other material and technical resources. Zaveryukha also discussed with President Yeltsin the need to extend a government order for fuel and lubri- cants to farm-workers on credit against goods. A draft decree on the issue was handed over to Yeltsin. A memorandum submitted to the president briefed him on progress in the implementation of the federal program Russian Farmer, which has been financed a mere 26.1%. Fundamental measures were discussed to settle social problems in rural areas. Zaveryukha disagreed that agrarian reform in Russia had stalled and added that it should not be regarded only as the “wholesale buy-out of land from moneyless farmers.” Ph hp Loy ln eo pefleppen thi 4 hag hpagammgmasy is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. %6 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS He dismissed the rumor that funds earmarked for agriculture were being used for other purposes and said that a recent inspection had found no such violations. Chernomyrdin Addresses NDR’s Prospects, Rumors, Chechnya LD1510223495 Moscow NTV in Russian 1800 GMT 15 Oct 95 {"Exclusive” interview with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin by correspondent Yevgeniy Kise- lev; place and date not given; from the "Itogi” program — recorded] {[FBIS Translated Text] [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, this week you met the president in your capacity as leader of Our Home Is Russia [NDR]. Tell me, did the president confirm his memorable prediction made at a news conference in early September, that NDR will attract relatively few votes — 8, 10, 12, percent? {Chernomyrdin} You know we did not especially dis- cuss this, how many votes, what percentage there will be. We discussed what needs to be done. [Kiselev] But all the same how do you assess your chances today? [Chernomyrdin] I think that the chances are somewhat greater. [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, this is history, but it is interesting to know nevertheless: When at that news conference the president was quite reserved in assessing your chances, how did you take these words of the president? Do you agree that the situation is not a standard one? At the beginning, the president himself came out as an initiator of the creation of NDR and then several months later suddenly spoke so coolly about this movement. {Chernomyrdin} You know I cannot speak for the president. He himself will talk about this. [Kiselev] But how did you take it? [Chernomyrdin] In purely human terms I understood that I needed to increase my work. [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, after that meeting with the president on Wednesday [11 October], Sergey Belyayev, your electoral campaign leader, put forward the hypothesis in a conversation with journalists that all these rumors that have been circulating recently — that allegedly your relations with the president have cooled, that allegedly Yeltsin has lost interest in NDR, that replacing Prime Minister Chernomyrdin with Prime Minister Yuriy Skokov is in the air — that all these persistent rumors were in fact initiated by Skokov FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 himself or the leadership of the Congress of Russian Communities as a whole. Do you agree with this view? [Chernomyrdin] I can say only one thing here, that when I heard such hypotheses — there are even two here, you mentioned the first one and I will cite a second, that the rumors may be from Skokov and his entourage, or from the government apparatus. Someone perhaps needs to stir things up, heat them up, try this out again. I have to say that, as for the government apparatus spreading rumors, it is ruled out. The government apparatus is not so politicized and it is really a long way from these matters, that is the first point. They could not sink so low. I will just say it again, it is ruled out. [Kiselev] You favor the second version then? [Chernomyrdin] Someone, someone is insinuating this, someone who needs to. As for our relations with the president, I can say that nothing at all has changed with us over two months, three months, half a year, and at present. We work in the way we used to work. [Kiselev] But people say that some powerful figures in the president’s entourage are ill disposed toward you. [Chernomyrdin, after a pause] I cannot see them. Simply, if they exist, I can only regret it. I am sorry for them. If there are such people in the presidential structure, then I am simply sorry for them. [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, you met the president a second time this week. Your second meeting with the president was devoted to Chechnya in particular, the question of introducing a state of emergency there. We recall that the government supported the introduction of a State of emergency in Chechnya after the assassination attempt on General Romanov, the relevant document was published, but the decision has not been made. What arguments did the president put forward against a State of emergency? [Chernomyrdin] I will first explain how this transpired. The assassination attempt on General Romanov, the commander, shook the whole of society. Of course, probably the emotional outburst and to some extent the government's statement was linked to the fact that something has to be done. [Kiselev] You were in Canada at the time. [Chernomyrdin] Yes. [Kiselev] Was it agreed with you? {Chernomyrdin} I was telephoned in Canada and told and I was simply, well, one can expect anything but not against such a person, simply not against such a person. Romanov in every way, in his approach, his intellect, is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 his culture, what did he do for someone to make an attempt on his life? [Kiselev) But who made an attempt on his life? [Chernomyrdin] I think, I believe that there was al- legedly a conversation when [Shamil] Basayev congrat- ulated someone on the act that had been carried out against Romanov. There cannot be anything else there. In the meeting with Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin we — I agreed with the president’s arguments that state of emergency measures do not resolve the issue. [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, colossal federal resources are at present being sent to Chechnya for the restoration of the economy but at the same time, you see, there is a great deal of talk about corruption. Some people even link the unsuccessful assassination attempt against Oleg Ivanovich Lobov with the fact that he was allegedly trying to investigate misuse, including among Chechen allies with Moscow. But on the whole from the political viewpoint, what profit can there be in investing capital in such figures as Umar Avturkhanov, Beslan Gantemirov, and Salambek Khadzhiyev if they cannot maintain basic order in just one place, Groznyy? [Chernomyrdin] Well, first of all I cannot say that Oleg Ivanovich Lobov began his activity with an investigation, he began by activating restoration work in Chechnya. So it is not connected with this. That is the first point. Second, I cannot say unambiguously that there is no deviation there, or corruption, it will not be very sensible as I see it for me here in Moscow to say such things without an investigation. Many resources are going to federal ministries, those who are working, then basically a lot is tied up with ministerial departments, they receive resources directly from here and not via Chechnya or via the Chechen government. So this is an issue, too. [Kiselev] But as for the political profit? {Chernomyrdin} But as for profit, what can I say. It is desirable to have better results. Not everything has been done, not everything is being done, so the effect is small, the efficiency of Khadzhiyev’s government is small, I agree with you. They should not be sorting out things between themselves today, but need to cast off everything, ambitions and grudges, and think about their people and undertake this work. So they must do this and either understand and draw their own conclusions or we will draw our own conclusions. [Kiselev] Viktor Stepanovich, the last question: The problem of Chechnya is of course one of the key themes of the electoral campaign. If the current situation, RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 37 neither peace nor war, is maintained until December, how do you assess the chances of your movement? [Chernomyrdin] More is expected from us. Of course we should have done and should do more, not only in Chechnya. Russia is not only Chechnya, our activity is not concerned only with the region of Chechnya, although it is the most complex region today and inost complex spot that we are responsible for, and that we are bound to bring into a state of normality. But I do not think that it is the main criterion by which we will be assessed. I do not think it is the main criterion. I think that our people are sufficiently wise and will understand, will assess everything and everyone. [Kiselev] Are you sure that it will be possible to achieve progress at the peace talks? [Chernomyrdin] I am sure and convinced. I will say again, Chechnya is Russia. It does not require much to wipe something out, we would have wiped it out a long time ago, it would have been possible to turn it into a desert a long time ago. This is the issue today. It is another matter that everything has to be done on a small scale, with small losses, but it would be best of all without losses. Only by peaceful means, only through talks will this process be resolved. {Kiselev] Thank you very much, Viktor Stepanovich. Chernomyrdin Applauds Duma Proceedings on 1996 Budget LD1310222795 Moscow Russian Television Network in Russian 1725 GMT 13 Oct 95 [From the "Details" program] {[FBIS Translated Excerpt] [Correspondent Svanidze] The Russian State Duma today considered the govern- ment’s draft budget for 1996. A report was delivered by Finance Minister Vladimir Panskov. The prime minister also delivered his quarterly report. Those who expected a bloody battle and excesses in the Duma today were disappointed. [passage omitted] [Begin recording} [Svanidze] Do you think the budget will be adopted this year? {State Duma Speaker Ivan Rybkin] I should like it to be. Considering the points being proposed by the finance minister it should be adopted. He is proposing compromises, which he has agreed with the Federation Council and with the Duma’s committees. [passage omitted] [video shows Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin standing among a crowd of deputies, alongside Ivan Rybkin} This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 38 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS {Svanidze] Viktor Stepanovich, could you comment please on how the discussion went today? [Chernomyrdin] I must say that I was very pleased by what was said in the State Duma today. It was solid and constructive. Let me say bluntly that there was some anxiety and concern over the short time remaining to finalize work this year, but I am very satisfied over the fact that we are all today concerned with just one thing — namely, those plentiful worries and problems that exist in our country. It is now up to everyone to pull their weight. I need to say that, if on average we are provided with only something like 50 percent of the necessary normative legislation, how then can the situation be put right? I think that all of us together — and I am not divesting myself, meaning the government, of its responsibility — but if we all pull together on this, we will be able to accomplish a lot more. Look, much has been adopted at the first or second reading. We have drawn up a list of priorities. The Duma has done so. Now we are doing it again and making some adjustments to it. The most important thing in my view is everything possible is done to adopt the budget. This year we have been suffering, and the budget has suffered. We can now say that during the first quarter we paid out a colossal amount of money in the form of credit, but we ourselves had nothing. In point of fact the first quarter is now a thing of the past. But why should we suffer again? There is an opportunity to do further work on the budget — it is an issue of great importance — and adopt it this year and begin normal life and a normal year ia 1996. This is needed by the country and the people. I very much hope that Ivan Petrovich Rybkin will support me in this. I think that we will continue these discussions in the same tenor as today’s discussions in the State Duma. [Rybkin] I have just been talking to Nikolay Karlovich Svanidze about this. The State Duma’s priorities are: The 1996 budget, the Civil Code, the Land Code, and laws to provide social protection for people, especially for the elderly. These are being given the green light and these are the priorities that we have adopted for our work. [Svanidze] Were you not surprised today by the very calm, constructive, and unaggressive tone of the discus- sion? {Chernomyrdin} You know, I was not merely surprised, but indeed I was delighted. It seems to me we are now emerging onto the correct path. No one alone — I mean neither the government without support, nor the State Duma without the government, nor the legislative, representative, or executive power alone — can achieve anything of real value. Why are we at present tormenting FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 the country? We have so many problems to solve. Let me say once again, far be it from me to tell them about the budget...[pauses] There will be a conciliation commission to...[pauses] We need to work and work hard together and in real earnest, and then we will produce results. This is what the State Duma deputies are preoccupied with at present and I am delighted by this. If we maintain this tempo — we need to maintain it. (Rybkin] It will not be an easy job, but in my view it will produce results. [passage omitted] [end recording] Panskov, Duma Officials Comment on Draft LD1310120395 (FBIS Editorial Report] Moscow NTV Television in Russian at 2120 GMT on 12 October during the "Ver- sions" program carries a 15-minute report by Sergey Dorenko, including recorded comments by the finance minister and Duma faction leaders on the 1996 draft budget. Mikhail Lapshin, head of the Agrarian Party, states that the budget is “anti-people." Yekaterina Lakhova, leader of the Women of Russia, states that the budget would impoverish people. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Zaveryukha states he would ask his faction, the Agrar- ians, to support the budget for 1996, but to listen care- fully to the report on implementation of the 1995 bud- get in the last three months of the year; and that if the Finance Ministry was not planning to pay the amounts envisaged in the budget, then the Agrarians could not be expected to agree to the 1996 budget. Grigoriy Yavlin- skiy, leader of Yabloko, states that the most important issues were that 37 million people were not receiving pensions and workers were awaiting payment of their wages. State Duma Chairman Ivan Rybkin states that the Duma would work on the budget and improve it. Rybkin states: "We cannot accept it in the form presented by the government." “I will say further that consideration of the budget must definitely be prefaced with a new tax code. Taxes must stop playing the role of a strangler, a tax hangman. This was agreed at a plenary sitting.” He continues: "The essence of the problem is that if the 1996 budget is left for the new Duma, then it will not be discussed until after the spring, in June or July in other words, and it will turn out again that one-fifth of expenditures on many clauses will be made over seven months and four-fifths, 80 percent, over the remaining months. Of course, it will be impossible to implement the budget.” Federation Council Chairman Vladimir Shumeyko states that more would be lost than gained if the This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 budget was not adopted. Presidential adviser Aleksandr Livshits recommends that the 1996 budget be adopted in its first reading and then passed in full by the current Duma. Interviewed in the studio by Dorenko, Finance Minister Vladimir Panskov states: “There are no substantial reserves. The budget is tight. The only question is whether we create a conciliation commission with the State Duma and get down to work, but any increase in expenditures must be accompanied by an appropriate increase in income." Panskov states that it would be possible to increase income, but deputies would probably say that budget income was already too high and that expenditures should be increased. He added that he had spoken to the Prosecutor’s Office about investigating nonpayment of taxes and that the procuracy would work with the tax police to ensure that payments were made into the budget. Asked about expenditures on Chechnya, Panskov states: "This is the situation in Chechnya: We are not increasing military expenditures. War is being waged within the limits of the resources we give the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs. Of course, this has an effect because food rations have been increased there, money allowances have been increased, so there is an increase in the money that was envisaged for normal, peaceful conditions. There is a debt in paying money allowances in the Army and in the internal affairs bodies. This problem exists. We are resolving it, trying to resolve it somehow. Of course, Chechnya has eaten up money, eaten up part of that money.” Asked whether there was any money in reserve next year for "a new Chechnya," Panskov replies: "No, there cannot be. Are we supposed to plan a new outbreak of war in the budget? No, of course not, although the budget envisages 2,000 billion rubles for restoration of the social sphere in Chechnya.” Dorenko comments that the budget might get caught up in politics and fail to be passed. Panskov replies that the Finance Ministry has worked without a budget for most of 1993. "It is easier for me as finance minister not to have a budget," he states, and adds that, of course, he was concerned that there should be order in the country and therefore a budget. Panskov concludes: “If someone accuses the budget of being a Our Home is Russia budget, then how will this be seen, since we propose increasing specific expenditures on the social sphere in 1996, or on investment in order to build our home?" RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 39 Premier: Government To Fulfill Obligations to Pensioners LD1410145795 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 14 (INTER- FAX) — The Russian government will fulfill all of its obligations regarding the country’s pensioners, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin promised at a meeting with representatives of the Union of Russia’s Pension- ers today. "If there are obligations, they have to be fulfilled,” Chernomyrdin said. He said funds for implementing a number of decisions concerning the indexing of pensions had not been fixed in the 1995 federal budget. "To carry out all what was promised, we will have to find additional 7-8 trillion rubles by the end of this year and we will certainly find this money," Chernomyrdin said. Chernomyrdin said the government would also bring in line with inflation wages of the public sector's employees. He said the government had taken special control of the situation concerning delayed payment of pensions “which considerably improved the situation during the last month and a half." "Much depends on the Russian regions, as far as this problem is concerned," he said. At the meeting, the Union of Russia’s Pensioners proposed that “homes of pensioners” be built in Moscow and other Russian cities and that financial support be provided to the Union. Chernomyrdin was also introduced a program for creating in Russia a unified system for paying pensions drafted as an alternative to the program proposed by the Ministry for Social Security of the Population. The Union of Russia’s Pensioners said the implementation of its program would help raise the size of average pensions by two times due to a more rational use of existing funds without attracting additional money for resolving this problem. ; Chernomyrdin said the government would examine the proposals in detail. He said “we will use all which is useful, all which is needed." Chernomyrdin, who heads the Our Home is Russia, hailed the Union of Russia’s Pensioners joining this electoral bloc. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. a RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Chernomyrdin: 1995 Overall Industrial Output To Fall 3% LD1410144795 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 14 Oct 95 {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 14 (INTER- FAX) — Decline in Russian °95 annual overall indus- trial output will be 3% instead of the expected 6-8%, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin said at a meeting with representatives of the Union of Russia’s Pensioners in Moscow today. Chernomyrdin said he believed that in 1996 Russian industrial production would rise. Chernomyrdin said Russia had managed to bring monthly inflation down from 18% in January to 4.5% in September. "We will come close to the planned figures at 1-2% by the end of this year," he said. With regards to measures for supporting duped in- vestors, Chernomyrdin said a special fund was being created for compensating investors a part of their finan- cial losses caused by such companies as the MMM infa- mous pyramid-type investment fund, the Russkiy Dom Selenga and the Khoper-Invest. He said the government would also financially support investment companies which "respect all state regulatory requirements” when working with the population’s money. With regards to the flight of capital, Chernomyrdin said from $6 billion to $8 billion were annually removed beyond Russia’s borders. He said these were mostly funds of exporters which left part of money abroad to pay for future contracts. Chernomyrdin said he believed that the Russian popu- lation currently had $15-20 billion in cash. Chernomyrdin also praised the discussion of the °96 draft federal budget in the State Duma Friday. "If we had worked like that earlier, we would have progressed much better. This was a normal, constructive and business-like conversation,” he said. Chernomyrdin confirmed the government’s intention to look for compromises with the State Duma on the °96 draft federal budget within the scope of the reconciliatory commission. Agrarian Leader Pleased Premier Dropped Land Referendum LD1310190195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1639 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — Mikhail Lapshin, leader of the Agrarian Party of Russia and its faction in the State Duma, told IN- FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 TERFAX that Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin’s speech in parliament Friday seemed to be "an electoral advertising of the Our Home Is Russia election bloc" he heads. According to Lapshin, economic decline is continuing and living standards of most Russians are deteriorating, while the prime minister "in his speech tries to demon- strate some microscopic positive tendencies in the work of his government." However, Lapshin pointed out certain positive changes in Chernomyrdin’s stand on agrarian issues. Under significant pressure from farmers the prime minister had to make the statement that the government will not initiate a referendum on private land ownership or on the purchase and sale of lands of agricultural use, said the APR leader. Lapshin also believes that Chernomyrdin will not op- pose the adoption of the Land Code, which has already been passed by the Duma on the first reading and which bans purchase and sale of lands used for agricultural needs. Skokov Denies Rumors of Yeltsin’s Offer for Premier’s Post LD1410144095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 14 (INTER- FAX) — In an interview with INTERFAX, leader of the Congress of Russian Communities Yuriy Skokov, has flatly refuted rumors that during a private meeting in Sochi President Yeltsin offered him the post of prime minister. Skokov recalled in this connection that in fact he had been in Sochi for the last time ten years ago. He said that as a politician he aimed to help the nation to survive as a single integral state. "And in what capacity I will do it — as president, prime minister or some other official, time will show that," Skokov said. He noted that he was not worried by the hearsay that he has been overshadowed by General Aleksandr Lebed. "I am Lebed’s mate in the Congress of Russian Communities, and there is one thing that troubles me — whether together we will create the backbone of the team that will manage to attain the goals set to it," Skokov declared. Speaking about his attitude to Yeltsin, Skokov voiced confidence that the president had really wanted to do something good for his people, who had elected him. "Boris Yeltsin is our contemporary history. And I am against spitting on our present history alike," he said. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Baturin Sees Crime, Islamic Factor as Key Security Threats MMI1310154695 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 14 Oct 95 pl [Report by Vasiliy Kononenko on press conference given by Presidential National Security Adviser Yuriy Baturin at RIA NOVOSTI in Moscow on 13 October: “League of Criminals and Civil Servants Threatens National Security") [FBIS Translated Text] Perhaps for the first time since Russia acquired state sovereignty, it has been stated at official level that we have no national security concept and none can be expected in the near future. This statement was made by Presidential National Security Adviser Yu. Baturin at a meeting with journalists at the RIA NOVOSTI agency on 13 October. He explained his thinking by saying that it is no use formulating our Strategic goals and tasks in a hurry, as certain State Duma deputies are proposing. Realistically, the basic provisions of such a document could be formulated over the next five years. Yu. Baturin named among the main problems that con- cern Russia’s top political leadership today the indica- tions of a crisis in relations with the West, NATO’s eastward expansion plans, the country’s defense capa- bility, economic crime, and the Islamic factor. As for the first two problems, according to the adviser, much will be clarified as a result of B. Yeltsin’s upcoming visit to New York and his contacts with leaders of Western countries, and also at the Conference on Nuclear Secu- rity which is to take place in Moscow next year. Dwelling on the problem of defense capability, Yu. Baturin drew attention to the fact that there is still no certainty on the main issue: How big an army do we need — 2 million men or 1.7 million? In his opinion we must save the unique production facilities that could collapse due to underfinancing. It would then take decades to restore them. As for the numerical strength of the army, even if the policy of reducing it prevails, mobilization could be carried out very rapidly should the need arise. Economic crime — that is the most real threat to national security today, the president’s adviser went on. Some 30,000 enterprises under different forms of ownership are controlled by criminal associations. Bribed civil servants provide assistance to one in every four criminal groups. Bribes sometimes run to hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is no all-purpose means of combating this evil, just as there is no money for combating crime. In this situation, Yu. Baturin noted, we could make use of the experience of certain foreign RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 41 countries to expose those who take bribes, namely: not only look for the illegal sources of their income, but also work backward, i.e. from how much a person spends. If, say, a Civil servant with a miserly wage builds a luxury cottage, the tax police and the special service should take an interest in him. Asked what size of bribes have been offered to him personally, Yu. Baturin replied: "I am happy to say that nobody has offered me anything yet." The Islamic factor as a threat to national security is viewed by the authorities in the light of their complex relationships with certain Muslim countries. It also played a part in the Chechen crisis — Dudayev was given support by several such countries in the form of money, weapons, and fighters. Nonetheless there is no religious or ethnic principle underlying this crisis. As for the problem of a political settlement of the Chechen crisis, Yu. Baturin stressed, D. Dudayev cannot be excluded from the talks process. Gaydanov’s Program To Get Procuracy ‘Out of Crisis’ LD1210124295 {[FBIS Editorial Report] Moscow NTV in Russian at 2120 GMT on 11 October on its "Versions" program Carries a recorded interview with Oleg Gaydanov, acting Russian prosecutor general, by Sergey Dorenko, place and date not given, and carries comments from various figures on the likelihood of President Yeltsin proposing Gaydanov as a permanent candidate for the post. The program lasts 15 minutes. Presenter Sergey Dorenko notes that if Gaydanov could solve one of the country’s high-profile murder cases in the run-up to the elections, then he would earn the gratitude of Yeltsin and his government. Gaydanov begins by saying: "An operation was carried out in Moscow, but we did not say that it was being Carried out as part of the Listyev case on the strength of specific circumstances. During the course of one day we conducted 100 searches in Moscow, using a considerable number of forces, and we hoped, we were convinced, that we would detain people who would have charges brought against them, but unfortunately it turned out that when procuracy investigators and operational staff arrived at a number of flats intending to arrest people, they found no one there. It was clear that there had been a betrayal." Gaydanov goes on to say that he has asked both Interior Minister Anatoliy Kulikov and Mikhail Barsukov, head of the Federal Security Service, to investigate this. Asked whether society can be expected to believe in the existence of justice in Russia when so many This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 42 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS murder cases remained unsoived, Gaydanov replies: "Unfortunately there is neither sense nor any point in denying your allegation. The only thing I can say is that everything is not as bad as it may seem from what you have just said. I am citing these figures from memory rather than reading them from a paper, but this year alone procuracy investigators sent to court more than 25,000 criminal cases concerning murderers, and the average rate of cases of premeditated murder solved in Russia is 75 percent; that is, 75 out of 100 murders are solved." Gaydanov notes that this compares favorably with European figures. "But," he continues, “we are very concerned at present at the fact that the rate of premeditated murders solved in the Moscow area is approximately 40 percent or slightly lower." The rate at which contract killings were solved was “unacceptably low", Gaydanov says. He ascribes this to the economic situation in the country and the modern psychology of Russian citizens. To remedy the situation the acting prosecutor general says it is most important to stop the departure of compe- tent, committed professionals from the law-enforcement bodies. He said that "quite a lot" of people had left over the past four years but by no means everyone. In order to stop the flow of people, “sacrifices are needed. What kind of sacrifices? Not in the physical sense, but sac- rifices by society and the state in the economic sense, the material and technical sense, the financing of this sphere of state activity." This would be mentioned in an appeal being prepared for the Federation Council and State Duma. What worried the procuracy, Gaydanov says, was not crime in general but the professionalism of organized crime and the fact that "criminals have crept in amongst deputies, into politics, into the state structure; this is the most terrible thing. Even money will not help in this regard tomorrow; the goodwill of society as a whole is needed. Society, and of course the government carrying out the will of society, must set aside some kind of social programs, but we’ll assume a limit of course, and transfer resources, financial and human, to this area." Dorenko then moves on to Gaydanov’s relations with Telman Gdlyan, an investigator on behalf of the USSR Prosecutor’s Office when Gaydanov was deputy head of the Uzbek procuracy. Interviewed in an office, Gdlyan says: “I must say that on account of his professional and moral qualities this person should have passed once and for all into oblivion, after all that happened. But these times are clearly such, a time of troubles in Russia, that people like that who are two-faced, who serve the interests of the strong, always come to the top, especially at this time of troubles. And FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 of course he has patrons behind him in whose interests it is to have such an India rubber procurator.” Gaydanov responds that when he had been deputy pros- ecutor in Uzbekistan, both he and Uzbek Prosecutor Aleksey Buturlin wrote to the USSR Prosecutor’s Of- fice, asking them to take action to remedy what was going on in the republic as a result of Gdlyan’s inves- tigation there. In conclusion, Gaydanov says that in a speech to a special Russian Federation government sitting on 7 August, he outlined the views of the procuracy system as a whole on what needed to be done to improve their work. "We have a program, a primary program of what needs to be done today, a program of what needs to be done tomorrow and a long-term vision for the way out of the crisis for the procuracy.” Filatov Interviewed on Debate Over ‘Forming’ Upper House MK1410130995 Moscow MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS in Russian 10 Oct 95 p2 {Interview with Sergey Filatov, presidential chief of staff, answering MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS’ ‘Question of the Week:’ "Can a Russian Federation Citizen Do Without the Federation Council?"} (FBIS Translated Text] (MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMO- LETS] Is a compromise between the president's and the Duma’s versions of the law on forming (electing) the Federation Council possible? [Filatov] The most important thing is clear: Generally speaking, elections for the State Duma make no sense without a Federation Council. The issue is a matter of principle. In this regard it is probably impossible to find a compromise because the Constitution stipulates: The Federation Council is to be "formed" from representatives of the executive and legislative branches of power. The State Duma, for its part, is to be “elected.” These are two different terms — “elected” and "formed." If one article of the Constitution uses two different words, it is fairly obvious that they have different meanings. Now as for the representation itself. The Fundamental Law says: “one representative from each executive and legislative branch of power." I think the Constitutional Court’s interpretation will help us understand the precise purpose of this article, but “one representative each" means that only the executive body and the legislature can decide whom they should delegate to work on the Federation Council. This representative in fact pursues the interests that are put into practice by the legislative and executive bodies of “his” Federation component. The State Duma’s version This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 says: These representatives should be elected by the people on the recommendation of the executive and legislative bodies. This means that they will no longer represent the executive and legislative branches of power, but the component itself, that is to say, the people. This makes a considerable difference: We have often had cases when having received or confirmed one’s authority by popular vote, they in fact do not pursue the line that is adopted on the ground in the Federation component itself. What is the idea behind the Federation Council? We have 89 Federation components. There was a time when we managed to agree upon laws that applied to all Federation components with 40 of them at best. Under the current Constitution, all 89 components, who have representatives of both their legislative and executive bodies on the council, must say if the law in question is good or bad for them, if they need this law or not. The main objective is to assess what the Duma has passed, naturally, accounting for the fact that the Duma is formed mostly according to the partisan principle. This is how clear-cut, direct communications between a Federation component, the federal parliament, and the Russian Federation president are exercised. If we opt, let’s say, for electing the chamber "by the people," we will lose the connection between the central authorities of the components and the federal level. [MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS] What is bad, in your view, from the point of view of internal political complications, about forming the Federation Council without elections, by presidential edict, or extending the incumbent Federation Council’s term of office pending the definitive creation of a legislative framework? [Filatov] How will developments evolve? I think that since the Constitutional Court has accepted this request for consideration, it will give its interpretation of the Constitution on this matter, and there is hope that in accordance with this clarification the State Duma will adopt a law that will be in line with the Constitution and will not have to be sent to the Constitutional Court right away, regardless of the Duma’s overriding the presidential veto. We have considered all these options. It seems that there are three main options here. I mean not our options, these are the options of the legal elite who analyzed the situation proceeding from the fact that we may in fact end up with a nonworking Federal Assembly. Law students have suggested moves that could be taken with the least, let’s say, losses in legal terms. The best option would be to pass the law. It seems doubtful that, as is sometimes said, passing a law within two months would be impossible. We know that yesterday (6 October) the RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 43 State Duma yet again passed a law in three readings at once. The first option is the simplest one: The president or a law extends the Federation Council’s term of office starting 12 December. The operating practice of any state agency shows that it does not cease to exist be- fore it turns its business over to its successor or to an- other generation for the purpose of continuity. In fact, the Constitution does not call for the second convoca- tion of the Federation Council. There was only the first one. Subsequently it should be formed as if regardless of dates, as the legislative and executive authorities in the Federation components are reelected. Naturally, the problem arises of replacing a delegate with one who is authorized to represent the component in the Fed- eration Council. This can happen repeatedly within a year because there is no convocation for the Federation Council as such. But what is bad about this option is the fact that it will not facilitate lawmaking work owing to the constant turnover. Generally speaking, this can con- tinue for a long time to come, this is one thing. Another thing is that representatives of the components will not be able to take their seats in the Federation Council be- fore the law is passed in order to start representing their Federation component at the federal level. Third, there is no direct reference in the Constitution to the Fed- eration Council’s operation on a continuing basis until a new one is formed — one can only draw on indi- rect constitutional references. The second option boils down to forming the Federation components by presi- dential edict, drawing on the direct action of the Consti- tution. But the vulnerable spot here is that the Consti- tution says “from legislative and executive authorities," which means that they themselves appoint their repre- sentatives. For this reason the president can either invite them to nominate someone to the Federation Council or himself appoint certain officials, let’s say, executive branch heads and chairmen of legislative bodies. On the whole, there are deviations here that may give grounds for turning to the Constitutional Court and questioning the Federation Council’s legitimacy. As for the third op- tion. Since the article of the Constitution stipulates that it is legislative and executive bodies that must make the appointments, they could themselves determine who can represent them on the Federation Council without wait- ing for the law. In this case it would be easier to form the Federation Council itself from among already exist- ing representatives by presidential edict. [MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS] Is a situation pos- sible where the deputies would deliberately drag their feet on the law so as to force the president to issue an edict and to accuse the head of state of unconstitutional actions? This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 44 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS [Filatov] I do not rule out the possibility that there are political forces wishing to exploit that. You see, the more material on deviations from the Constitution or overstepping one’s powers it accumulates, the better off, naturally, the opposition will be. Then there will be the impression that legislation is being violated at the very top — although we all realize that the opposition itself often prods us to take such steps if only because many laws are still nonexistent. Generally speaking, our legislative framework is riddled with gaps; moreover, the laws already adopted are often at variance with one another and even with the Constitution. For this reason this cannot and should not be ruled out, but I think that ways out should be sought. It is not by chance that Boris Nikolayevich was the first to take such a step and was the first to go to the Constitutional Court in order to help the deputies find the right solution. ([MOSKOVSKIY KOMSOMOLETS] When the text of the Constitution was being drawn up, was the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly conceived as a directly elected one? [Filatov] No, it wasn’t. Moreover, I can tell you that literally a few days before Yeltsin signed the text to press, the words “head of the executive branch" and “head of the legislative branch of power" were removed from the draft Constitution. It was specified in abso- lutely clear terms there that it is they who shall represent their Federation components on the Federation Council. These words were removed because constitutional re- form in the Federation components was announced and the process of forming the structures of authority began. It was not similar everywhere: In certain components the executive branch was headed by the presidents; in others, by the heads of the republics; in still others, by the chiefs of the State Councils, and so forth. For this reason, SO as not to create confusion and so that it will be su tly easier to sort it out we removed these words from the draft Constitution. Had they been re- tained, there would have been no argument now and, maybe, there would have even been no need to pass the law because everything would have been clearly defined in the Constitution. Presently, however, natu- tal questions arise: Who should be a representative, and how should the representative be appointed? Nonethe- less, the “how" is defined by the Constitution, namely, by decision of the executive or legislative authorities of a Russian Federation component. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Court Fines Chubays for Failure To Appear at Hearing LD1610134395 Moscow INFORMATSIONNOYE AGENTSTVO EKHO MOSKVY in Russian 1130 GMT 16 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Moscow Echo Radio station was informed by the state legal administration of the mayor’s office of the capital that the Khamovnicheskiy Intermunicipal People’s Court of Moscow had fined Anatoliy Chubays, first deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation, for failure to appear at a hearing on the action being brought against him by Yuriy Luzhkov, the mayor of the capital. The head of the city’s administration brought an ac- tion in Khamovnicheskiy court on defending the honor, worth and business reputation of the Moscow Govern- ment after Chubays said that "if prices on food products rise in Moscow after the customs duty on imported food- stuffs rose on Ist July, that will be as a result of a deal between the government of the capital and monopoly suppliers.” Media Issues Chubays, Others Accused of Misuse of Russian TV Funds LD1310163495 Moscow Russian Television Network in Russian 1700 GMT 12 Oct 95 (From the "Vesti" newscast] {[FBIS Translated Text] It is likely that Anatoliy Chubays himself has some problems with the law. In any case, this is the opinion of State Duma deputy Mikhail Poltoranin, with whom our correspondent met today. [Correspondent A. Samoletov] During nine months of this year alone the All-Russian State Television and Radio company has not received 258.6 billion rubles from the state budget. This information has been supplied by the Committee for Information Policy and Communications. Chairman of the committee Poltoranin showed us an extremely interesting document, which throws light on many problems of Russia’s Television and Radio company. But before that, let us have a look at some archive material. [Begin recording] [Samoletov] A rumor has been spread that the Russian Government intends to resolve the Rus- sian Public Television’s financial problems at the ex- pense of the budget of our All-Russian State Television and Radio company. {Poltoranin] Technically it is possible to do this but frankly speaking it is hardly worth doing so. As far as This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 distribution between separate companies is concerned this is an issue, which in general is being resolved by our Committee for TV and Radio Broadcasting. I do not think that there will be any unfairness. {Samoletov] Moscow, 13 September, the protocol of the session on financing Russian Public Television, Paragraph 2. Russia’s Finance Ministry, Federal Service for Tele- vision and Radio Broadcasting of Russia and Russian Public Television will be instructed to jointly work out possible options of financing Russian Public Television by the end of 1995, taking into account partial financing at the expense of unpaid budget funds destined for the Russian Federal Service of Television and Radio Broad- casting. Signed Chubays. (Poltoranin] They have misled the president. They told him that by creating Russian Public Television at the same time we will be reducing the burden on the Russian budget. That is why the president took this decision as there is a shortage of money. In fact they do not have the money, at least the volume of money that we promised. They are always exerting pressure on the government and now a decision has been adopted to switch money to the Russian Public Television by underfunding state television and radio companies — ARSTRC — in particular, the All-Russian company and regional companies [sentence as heard]. We adopted decisions yesterday at the Duma: First to instruct the chief prosecutor’s office to institute criminal proceedings against those who have been engaged in the theft and squandering of this property and second to urgently check violations of the law on the budget and on the financing of Russian Public Television. [end recording] Military Issues Defense Ministry Augments Groups in Northern Caucasus LD1410144395 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 14 (INTER- FAX) — Russia’s Defense Ministry has decided to re- inforce its group of troops in North Caucasus. As a military source has disclosed, Colonel General Viadimir Semenov will fly to the North Caucasian Military District on October 24 on a Defense Minister Pavel Grachev’s instruction. “The general plans to see on the spot whether the district is complete with troops and arms because of plans to elevate its status (completeness must be no less than 70%)," the source reported. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 45 “The military leadership pays special attention to the district because of the grave situation in Chechnya and instability in North Caucasus as a whole,” the source explained. Talking to an INTERFAX reporter, Semenov said that his trip to the district was not "extraordinary by nature." He said he regularly inspected troops. For this reason, he added, there is no need “to create a sensation over my trip to North Caucasus." Semenov reported that the North Caucasus Military District was now manned better than other districts. However, he admitted that the military leadership paid special attention to this district above all because “of the complex situation in North Caucasus." Manufacturer Advertises MiG Fighters to NATO Countries MK1410091595 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 11 Oct 95 p4 {Report by Anna Andrianova: “Chances That MiG Fighters Will Be Ordered by NATO Countries Are Slim. ‘MAPO-MiG’s’ Advertising Campaign Has Not Brought Any Results Yet") {[FBIS Translated Text] An official representing the press service of "MAPO-MiG [Moscow Aviation Production Association—Mikoyan and Gurevich]," a production association manufacturing Russian fighter planes, has said that, despite the fact that the FRG’s military agency has recognized Russian MiG-29 fight- ers as superior to the U.S. F-16 and F-4F and the French Mirage-2000, no new contracts for the sale of MiG’s are expected. According to information made available by "MAPO- MiG’s" press center, the German Air Force voiced a preference for the Russian fighters after routine NATO air force exercises in which the MiG-29 won all air battles with U.S. and French fighters. It will be recalled that the German Air Force is armed with 24 combat and training MiG-29 fighters, inherited by the FRG from the former GDR’s Air Force. Quite probably, these fighters will take part in NATO’s military operations in Bosnia if hostilities there are resumed. The dissemination of information about foreign experts’ high opinion of Russian MiG’s and the publication of such materials in Western media are regarded by some observers as an advertising campaign conducted by "MAPO-MiG.” Incidentally, this production association is not denying the fact. As is known, "“MAPO-MiG" is one of the few Russian defense industry enterprises given the right to export its products independently, not pk ob Deeg ogy Material. Copying and dissemination inati is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 46 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS via "Rosvooruzheniye." Thus, the advertising campaign seems quite logical. Despite the high appraisals, such as by the German Air Force, and the efforts of the Russian manufacturer and special exporter, chances that in the near future orders for the delivery of MiG’s will be received from NATO countries are very slim, for political reasons. Therefore, most probably, third countries — India, Malaysia, etc. — will continue to remain "MAPO- MiG’s” main foreign customers. It will be recalled that "MAPO-MiG’s” latest deal was the sale of eight MiG-29 fighters to Slovakia, estimated at $200 million. Before that, last year, Slovakia had purchased five such fighters, worth $150 million. In both cases, deliveries were made against the settlement of Russia's external debt. Draft Program Envisages Elimination of CW To Begin 1997 LD1410193895 Moscow Russian Television Network in Russian 1700 GMT 14 Oct 95 [From the "Vesti" newscast] (FBIS Translated Text] According to a new drafi federal program Russia is to start a large-scale elimination of the stocks of chemical weapons [CW] in 1997, and 40,000 tonnes of toxic substances are to be eliminated by 2010. (Correspondent A. Knyazev] The program is a third version drawn up by the Russian Defense Ministry. The previous versions were rejected since they did not guarantee the safety of the process to destroy the chemical potential. The Russian-U.S. conference of nongovernment organizations on the problems of eliminating chemical weapons held in Moscow today voiced doubts that the new program will include such guarantees. One of the sites where chemical arsenals are to be destroyed is situated 10 km from the village of Gornyy, Saratov region. [Begin O.Pitsunova recording, director of the center for promoting ecological initiatives] The population of the village is against the construction of the installation now untii all the issues of safety have been solved. [end recording] [Knyazev] The participants in the conference will hold public hearings in Saratov next week on the problem of safe disposal of toxic substances. [video shows rows of metal containers with "iprit" [mustard gas] markings; news conference] FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Federal Assembly Duma Spurns Premier’s Olive Branch on Budget MK1410150495 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY in Russian 14 Oct 95 pp 1-2 [Report by Boris Boyko under the "Budgetary Process" rubric: “From the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact to the Chernomyrdin-Rybkin Pact") (FBIS Translated Text) After a fortnight’s preliminary clashes between parliamentarians and the government over the 1996 draft budget, the budgetary process was finally given the official go-ahead yesterday. After the traditional reports — a “political” report by the prime minister and an “economic” one by the finance minister — the State Duma meeting discussed the draft in its first reading. Despite peacemaking statements by the premier, who proposed that "a nonaggression pact, or — better yet — a pact on peaceful coexistence” be signed with the State Duma, the parliament's attitude to the document did not change and remained hostile: No faction proposed that the budget be approved. For this reason even the fact that no decision at all was made as a result can be seen as a considerable achievement. Premier: To Proceed From Reality, Not From Wishful Thinking The prime minister’s report on the socioeconomic situation in the country in the first nine months of the year was detailed and, according to its concept, intended to have a hypnotic influence on the deputies on the eve of the upcoming budgetary battles. At the same time Viktor Chernomyrdin made a point of emphasizing his love for peace from the outset, stressing that the decision to brief the deputies on the emerging economic situation will enable them “not only to analyze jointly the economic situation, but also to account for the Duma’s viewpoint in current government policy." Calling on deputies to be balanced in their judgment ("while assessing the situation, it is necessary to proceed from reality, not from wishful thinking, comparing what we had and what we have achieved"), the prime minister paid particular attention in his speech to the positive trends. In short, the premier sees such trends in the following areas. The scale of this year’s production slump turned out to be much smaller than last year’s and even smaller than forecast. In the first nine months GDP shrank by only 3 percent as compared to the same period last year, while in 1994 it fell 12 percent. In September of this year the overall production volume remained unchanged against last September's, while a number of sectors even registered growth. As for is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 prices, their growth has been slowing down with every passing month — from 18 percent in January to 4.5 percent in September. Noting that in October inflation will not exceed 5 percent, Chernomyrdin urged everyone io realize that "the economy is not just pulling through — it is beginning to live by market laws." In the premier’s words, a 17-percent reduction in capital investment compared to last year should not be seen only in black and white — in the meantime, housing construction increased by 13 percent during this period. What the premier mentioned as an important lesson of the past nine months was the fact that the noninflationary mechanisms of financing the budget deficit started operating fairly effectively; regarding the banking system, he said in a rather metaphorical fashion that “it is convalescing, removing the dross of currency speculation from its body." Dwelling in detail on the government’s objectives, ranging from the repayment of delayed wages to assistance for the countryside, the premier noted that, first, it is necessary to “consolidate and stabilize the positive trends of economic development” and, second, "to disentangle the key knots that cause instability.” Having thus put up the requisite propaganda support for the government's plans, the premier proceeded to present the budget. In his words, the philosophy of the budget entails continuity in politics and the retention of the current pace of change: “Otherwise we will stumble once again and trample underfoot everything positive and reasonable that has already been made.” At the same time, what is much more important is that Chernomyrdin admitted that “the draft budget is not dogma” and that the government is ready for compromise. Still, it followed from Finance Minister Vladimir Pan- skov’s speech that the government is, of course, ready for compromises, but only ones that do not jeopardize its key macroeconomic targets, particularly, its forecast of an average monthly inflation rate of 1.2 percent. Pan- skov reiterated yet again that the 3- to 5-percent level proposed by the deputies will only fuel the growth of the budget deficit and inflation. Nonetheless, the finance minister expressed a readiness to start "a constructive dialogue” with the State Duma. Budget Committee: Turn It Down Without Rejecting It The government’s peaceloving initiatives were not re- ciprocated by the deputies, however. Not only did Mikhail Zadornov, chairman of the Duma’s Budget Committee, level harsh criticism at the budget, but he moreover effectively distanced himself from his own committee’s decision. It should be recalled that a few days ago Viadimir Panskov said that the Duma Bud- RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 47 get Committee decided in its draft resolution against rejecting the draft budget, but called for a conciliation commission to be set up without passing any verdict on it. This viewpoint appeared to suit the government. But upon making the committee’s opinion public, Zadornov proposed — this time on behalf of his "Yabloko" fac- tion — that a different draft resolution be passed, under which the budget must be first rejected (this is precisely what the law on the procedure for considering the bud- get provides for), and only then would the conciliation commission be created. As for the committee’s main complaints about the draft budget (a number of these complaints were also repeated by representatives of Duma factions in their statements), they are as follows. The committee’s main thesis is simple: The 1996 draft budget does not differ in any way from the 1995 budget. The underestimated inflation rate forecast will once again generate a surplus of revenues that will nonetheless be devalued by a faster pace of actual inflation. Therefore. real revenues will prove to be lower. Zadornov supported this thought with a fairly trite argument to the effect that financial stabilization in the country is being achieved at the expense of a drastic reduction in expenditures on all key budget items. Moreover, the committee is opposed to government- proposed changes to the tax legislation; thinks that the expected proceeds from privatization are overestimated (in the committee’s view, it will be impossible to earn 12 trillion rubles), while social expenditures are set too low (the government thinks, however, that their share will increase); and also doubted the correctness of the government-proposed methodology of calculating transfers from the federal budget to the Federation components’ budgets. Khachim Karmokov, chairman of the Counting Cham- ber, who took the floor after Zadornov, stunned the par- liamentarians with the statement that the foreign debt, which grew from 25 trillion to 50 trillion rubles com- pared to the 1995 budget (a number of foreign debt payments are due next year), may exceed the size of the budget deficit. An Open Final Representatives of nearly all factions echoed the Budget Committee’s view. The leitmotiv of virtually all staie- ments was the assertion that the 1996 budget does not differ from the 1995 budget in any way, while given all the negative consequences of an austere policy one can no longer trust the government or subscribe to the continuation of the same policy. The "Yabloko,” Com- munist Party of the Russian Federation, and Democratic Party of Russia factions leveled the most scathing crit- icism at the government budget. Oksana Dmitriyeva, is prohibited without permission of the copyright owncrs. 48 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS member of the "Yabloko" faction, proposed a number of budget policy alternatives, but doubted the current cabinet’s ability to realize them. Anatoliy Gordeyev, member of the Communist faction, said that the gov- ernment is following the worst traditions of the former Gosplan [State Planning Committee] of “first seeking low plan targets and then exceeding them.” Naturally, the factions insisted on rejecting the budget. The other factions, although they echoed the criticism, called for a conciliation commission to be set up as soon as pos- sible and pointed out that the budget must be adopted by the current State Duma. Their arguments were not in the government’s favor all the same: "One should not give the government a free hand.” The sole faction that agreed with the need to continue the austerity line pro- vided for in the draft budget turned out to be "Russia’s Choice" — Yegor Gaydar, its leader, even launched into a polemic with "Yabloko,” flatly rejecting its proposal on paying off the budget deficit by issuing more money and credits: In his view, this would boost the deficit, which “is already set in the draft budget at an imper- missibly high level." To all appearances, the deputies were so tired after the lengthy debate that they never adopted a definite deci- sion. The proposal to reject the budget was supported by 180 deputies — and the one that a conciliation com- mission be set up without turning the draft down, by 143. As a result, the final vote was postponed until next week. [Article includes the following boxed commentary by the Political Department] Viktor Chernomyrdin has changed his style of commu- nicating with State Duma deputies. His statement yes- terday was imbued with the desire to avoid yet another confrontation by fair means or foul, while instead of the usual metal (with which he used to pronounce his trade- mark phrase "don’t interfere in the ministers’ work") there were conciliatory tones in his voice. Citing the complexity of the transition period, when “the interests of the electoral struggle run counter to economic policy objectives," Chernomyrdin called on the deputies not to carry the political struggle into relations between the branches of power and urged the Duma to sign "a nonag- gression pact for a period until the December elections.” After these words, a budget was submitted to the Duma that was in for a curious fate. No coherent decision on the bill could be made: It was neither rejected, nor sent to a conciliation commission. The only thing the Duma approved was the Budget Committee’s proposal that a draft resoiution be drawn up by the next meeting. This is puzzling. A majority of those who were present at the Duma — deputies, government members, journal- FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 ists — expected the budget to be unequivocally spurned. But only 180 deputies voted to reject (out of the requi- site 226), among whom there were no Zhirinovskiyites, Gaydarites, or members of the "Stability" and "Rossiya" groups. This impasse can be attributed, perhaps, only to the approaching elections. Agrarian Party leader Lap- shin straightforwardly likened the premier’s speech to “an electoral advertisement of the NDR [‘Russia Is Our Home’) electoral movement,” but at the same time pointed out with satisfaction that the government is be- ginning to face up to the countryside’s problems. It is also noteworthy that the premier thought it necessary to dwell on the nationalities issue in his report devoted to the economy, calling for the diversity and uniqueness of peoples living on Russian soil to be taken into ac- count when tackling this problem so as completely to rule out ethnic conflicts. It should be recalled that his NDR pins its main hopes precisely on ethnic republics, where it expects to win the highest percentage of the vote. The premier’s promise to increase future spending on the army and the military-industrial sector did not go unnoticed either. In a word, the premier is bracing for elections and is adopting a corresponding line of con- duct. So are the deputies. Having finally realized that at this stage any vigorous moves against the prime minister can only improve his electoral chances, they did not un- equivocally reject the budget. But nor can they embrace his call for the hatchet to be buried and the budget tc be passed on the eve of a decisive showdown. It seems that the room for maneuver has narrowed to the limit, and the war between the premier and the deputies is taking on the nature of sluggish, positional warfare. Draft Budget Spells ‘Catastrophe’ for Army MM1310134495 Moscow KRASNAYA ZVEZDA in Russian 12 Oct 95 pl [Article by Vladimir Yermolin: "Budget for 1996 Does Not Meet Defense Needs. To Adopt It Would Be To Push the Army Into the Abyss"} {[FBIS Translated Text] On Monday the State Duma Defense Committee held an enlarged session with the participation of Andrey Kokoshin, Russian Federation first deputy defense minister, Colonel General Ana- toliy Solomatin, deputy defense minister and chief of construction and billeting of troops, Colonel General Vladimir Churanov, deputy defense minister and chief of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Rear Services, Colonel General Anatoliy Sitnov, chief of armaments of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, Lieutenant Gen- eral Vasiliy Kuznetsov, first deputy chief of the Military Budget and Funding Main Directorate, and also repre- sentatives of the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Econom- ics, Ministry of Atomic Energy, and State Committee This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 for Defense Industry. The implementation of the 1995 defense budget and the draft defense budget for 1996 were discussed. The session was closed, but in practice the essence of all the speeches boiled down to the same point: Unless the approach toward funding the Russian Federation Armed Forces is cardinally changed, next year will be a year of irreversible disintegration processes in the Army and Navy, the defense industry, and essentially the state’s security system. What are we seeing for the fourth year now during formation of the federal budget? The Defense Ministry prepares a detailed case for expenditure on maintaining the Armed Forces, on arms purchases, on military science, on capital construction, and on the payment of pensions to servicemen, gives the ultimate total for the necessary expenditure, and passes all this to the government, which eventually cuts the requested sum by at least 50 percent. The cuts are usually made so swiftly that you cannot help doubting the validity of the government’s calculations. It all looks more like a purely mechanical operation to tailor the defense budget to the procrustean bed of the budget deficit. Furthermore, it transpires that the government unhesitatingly understates the anticipated inflation rate. This produces a kind of reserve fund of income which may give the government room for maneuver, but the first people to pay for this policy are budget-funded workers, including servicemen. The past year has been a vivid illustration of this. Not only was the level of inflation for 1995 on which finan- cial thinkers based the budget out of step with the actual figure, but entirely legally validated increases in pay, the war in Chechnya, and the full amount of last year’s debts were also “left out of account." Typically, the Army it- self is blamed for these “extras” on top of the expen- diture headings of the defense budget. It is argued that pay should not have been increased if the budget made no provision for this expansive gesture. However, the Army never acts arbitrarily. All the increases stem from Russian presidential edicts and State Duma decisions. Moreover, contrary to the law, the following practice has been introduced: Wages are increased for civilian budget-funded workers, while the military are told to await this joyous event on the sidelines. Tens of thou- sands of officers and contract personnel are currently serving without having received their pay for August- September. The payment delays are snowballing. Fi- nance Ministry representative Andrey Astakhov, who addressed the session, gave an assurance that, in accor- dance with a Russian Federation presidential edict, the Armed Forces will receive before the end of the year as a matter of priority extra payments to cover expen- RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS ) diture on food and pay. In other words, it is a question of exceptional measures — emergency measures, so to speak. Although everything was calculated a year ago and it would have been sufficient merely to base the budget on real figures — real figures, not wishful think- ing. As a result of this practice the Armed Forces are today at the end of their tether. I will quote a number of points from the State Duma Defense Committee’s findings on the draft law "On the Federal Budget for 1996": "For the first time in the last four years debts in respect of expen- diture on maintaining the Armed Forces have reached the level of quarterly spending, despite the fact that the Russian Federation Government has allocated appropri- ations for these purposes in the amounts planned in the budget (61.6 percent). Furthermore, delays in issuing pay to servicemen have reached a month or more, the money for food supplies planned for the year has been totally spent, and payment defaults in respect of mu- nicipal services and other operational spending are 50 percent greater than the annual level of appropriations for these purposes." What does that mean — the money for food supplies has been totally spent? It means that emergency rations are now being consumed. It means that money is being taken from other, already meagerly funded categories of expenditure and used for food. Few Russians uncon- nected with military service realize that TODAY THE ONLY TASK RESOLVED BY THE ARMY IS HOW TO FEED SOLDIERS. How to clothe them and provide footwear are now secondary problems. Stores have not been replenished for years. In 1995 rear services specialists calculated how many pairs of boots and sets of uniform and what quantity of food according to existing norms and of fuel will be needed for an army of 1.5 million. They gave the lowest possible sum as 12 trillion rubles [R]. The motherland (in the shape of the government!) allocated R5.7 trillion, but the sum that actually reached Army coffers was even less than that. Those are the figures. What lies behind them is people. Defenders of the fatherland who are being denied proper food and warm clothing by that fatherland. And that assertion is in no way an exaggeration, it is a simple statement of fact. It is a question of something basic — the health of the people whom the state has drafted for military service. And what about purchases of arms and the renewal of the pool of equipment and arsenals of weapons? During the current year this category of expenditure has been funded to the tune of only 39.8 percent. Incidentally, the U.S. President is allocating $25 billion for a technological breakthrough to leave other countries This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 50 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS (not least Russia) behind in the arms sphere. Whereas given the present attitude toward defense, according to specialists, by 2005 we will have one and a half motorized infantry divisions with new equipment, a few missile units, and five submarines (the rest will be unable to fly, sail, or shoot). In the words of one general, “today the Army is being disarmed at a much faster pace than in 1941." The facts are clear, and the figures speak for themselves. The military are taking them and knocking on the door of the highest offices. It is already clear even to laymen that the Russian Armed Forces are entering a black period of catastrophe, yet the government is again proposing a draft budget in which the expenditure on national defense requested by the military department is virtually halved. Once again we are being told to believe in only modest growth in inflation, which is manifestly sheer fantasy. Once again the full amount of the debts for 1994-1995 is being ignored. Once again we are being told to issue soldiers with one boot each and to feed them every other day. The State Duma Defense Committee’s findings say in this connection: "The expenditure on national defense envisaged in the draft budget is below the 1995 level. While it is proposed to increase general federal spending by 70 percent in comparisun with 1995, it is planned to increase defense spending by only 55 percent. This fails to take account of the virtually inevitable increase of at least R12 trillion in defense expenditure in 1995." As a result, they declare, the State Duma Defense Committee will vote against adopting the draft law "On the Federal Budget for 1996" during the first reading. The version of the draft law prepared by the committee envisages increasing expenditure on national defense to R110.925 trillion. Meanwhile, the military are pressing for R134 trillion, on the grounds that this sum is the result of direct calculation while Defense Ministry financial workers proceeded on the basis of minimum requirements. There is still time to coordinate positions. The Defense Committee, according to Aleksandr Piskunov, besides seeking the rejection of the draft law during the first reading, will seek to adjust the budget on the basis of a computed assumed inflation index of 3.5, to cut paramilitary structures under other departments (17 ministries and departments currently have their own troops with 3.9 million people in their ranks!), to man only the Armed Forces and Border Troops with draftees, and to fully protect all articles of the defense budget (the proposal was submitted at the session by Finance Ministry representative Andrey Astakhov). So a decisive stage in the fate of the Russian Army is beginning — the struggle for a realistic defense budget FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 in 1996. In the event of failure, it will scarcely be necessary to establish a defense budget for 1997. What is the point in maintaining an Army that has lost the capacity to defend the country? Duma Concessions on Upper Hous ' Law Seen as ‘Sham’ MM1310130395 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI in Russian 13 Oct 95 pl {Article by Olga Burkaleva and Lyubov Tsukanova: “The Law on the Federation Council: Concessions or Countermoves?"] (FBIS Translated Text] Work on the law on the for- mation of the Federation Council has exposed dramatic differences in perception of the problem. And not only between the head of state and parliament as a whole, but also among the legislators themselves. After the Russian Federation president vetoed the law adopted by the Fed- eral Assembly, the danger arose that parliament would not “find time” for the law by December, that is, by the time the powers of the present Federation Council ex- pire. The fear that the president would form the upper chamber by edict made the State Duma accept a com- promise and abandon the principle of direct elections to the Federation Council, which it had formerly upheld. But a compromise was also accepted by the president, who had an interest in the law being adopted in the end so that the upper chamber of parliament would be formed on an irreproachably constitutional basis. The presidential side’s compromise was that the new version of the draft law submitted to the Duma did not stipu- late that a region’s interests must be represented in the Federation Council specifically by the region’s “number one." The earlier proposal that the chamber should in- clude three or four representatives of the federal organs of power was dropped. Thus, mutual concessions pro- vided the opportunity to draw up a compromise version of the law. However, it would be premature to say that the new law just adopted by the State Duma has finally removed the conflict. The amendments to the “presidential” version of the law submitted by the Duma Committee on Legislation and adopted by the Duma satisfy, on the one hand, the president’s wish to form the upper chamber from among leaders of the legislative and executive power of the Russian Federation components. But on the other hand they bar the path to the Federation Council for heads of administrations who are not elected by the population but appointed by the president. Today there are 54 of these in the Russian Federation. That means that under the new law more than half the heads of administrations will not be able, at the outset, to participate in the work of the second Federation Council. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 The participants in September’s conference of heads of representative organs of power of the Russian Federa- tion components did not, admittedly, see this version of the law as a disaster. The Federation Council, they be- lieve, will be able to start work, since a quorum (more than two-thirds of the membership) is already assured; the only thing the upper chamber will not be able to do is to adopt constitutional federal laws. And in time the other governors will be “brought in" as the elections proceed. However, it is doubtful whether this version will suit the president. First, it means that for a long time the executive power’s representation on the new upper chamber will be weakened. Second, the law overrides the presidential edict of 17 September 1995 insofar as it recommends postponing the elections of heads of administrations to December 1996: The law states that the elections must be set within eight months. But the "Isakov committee’s" amendments go even fur- ther. The version adopted stipulates that any decisions on extending the powers of deputies of legislative or- gans of Russian Federation components have no legal force. At the same time the same 17 September edict recommends the legislative organs of Russian Federa- tion components, whose terms expire, by and large, in 1996, to postpone the elections to December 1997. As Sergey Filatov, chief of the Russian Federation Presi- dential Staff, announced recently, such decisions have already been adopted in 47 regions of the country. In practice this means that if the law is adopted the Fed- eration Council will be short of at least a further 50 members in 1996-1997. Since this means in practice that the Federation Council will simply be unable to operate with this composition, the main aim of the authors of the amendments to the law becomes obvious — to an- nul the operation of the Russian Federation president’s 17 September edict. The "concessions" are in fact coun- termoves. What are the authors of these amendments hoping for? Maybe that the president, who has repeatedly declared the desirability of forming the Federation Council according to the law on the basis of the time limit, will agree to the new "Duma" version, and then the provisions of the said edict on postponing the elections of heads of administrations and legislative organs in the Russian Federation components will in effect be annulled. Objectively, however, a series of election campaigns in the course of 1996 plays into the hands, hypothetically, of the communist opposition, which is counting on victory in the Stated Duma elections and also — riding that wave — in all the subsequent elections, as a result of which the Communists and Agrarians will, by perfectly democratic means, get into RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 51 all the power structures in the regions and the Federation Council and also, as they clearly hope, the presidency. Maybe they are overestimating their strength here, but the idea is quite obvious. It seems the Communists do not want to repeat the democrats’ mistake in 1991, when they "missed" the political tide and gradually lost their electorate. But the opposition can hardly expect the president not to see through this calculation on the part of his political opponents and to agree to the version proposed by the State Duma. Nor is it certain that the law in this form will be passed by the Federation Council, although that is not ruled out. Most likely, time will be wasted again, and the State Duma will have to revert to conciliation procedures and seek true — instead of sham — compromises. But time is short for that. Duma Discusses Resolutions on Rebuilding Chechnya LD1310153695 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1020 GMT 13 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — The State Duma carried nearly unanimously 4 resolutions on Chechnya at its plenary session Friday. Under one of the resolutions the audit chamber will check the use of the federal funds allocated for rebuild- ing the Chechen economy and social sphere and for dealing with the consequences of the armed conflict in Chechnya. The audit chamber has a month to report back to parliament. Another resolution calls on the president and govern- ment to take urgent steps to help the citizens wishing to leave Chechnya, in particular by paying them compen- sations for loss of homes. Parliament committees and the Nationalities and Re- gional Policy Ministries have until November 15 to draft and submit to the State Duma a bill on aid to those who wish to leave Chechnya. Only 1 vote was cast against a resolution moved by Se- curity Committee Chairman Viktor Ilyukhin, commu- nist, on improving the safety of people engaged in re- building Chechnya. A resolution moved by the Liberal Democratic Party group that would call for suspension of financing the rebuilding work in Chechnya until a constitutional order and federal institutions are restored there. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 52 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Human Rights Commissioner Bill Not Adopted by Duma LD1310153395 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1127 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — The State Duma failed Friday to endorse in the second reading a constitutional bill on Russia’s human rights commissioner. The bill was put to vote several times only to fall short, by 10 to 20 votes, of the 300- vote mark that would have insured its endorsement. Lyudmila Zavadskaya who presented the bill, com- plained about the absence of criticism and suggestions for the improvement of the proposed legislation. She ac- cused fellow lawmakers of a political bias which must be rejected "now that the situation in the field of human rights is critical." Earlier, the lawmakers’ reluctance to vote in favor of the human rights bill was explained by their view of Sergey Kovalev’s moves in the Chechen republic. Kovalev was appointed Russia’s human rights commissioner in January, 1993. Zhirinovskiy Calls For Curbs on Freedom of Press LD1310125195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1126 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — The leader of Russia’s Liberal-Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovskiy suggests that Prime Minis- ter Viktor Chernomyrdin move to restrict the freedom of the press. Press editions "are always out to defame the lawmakers and Cabinet Ministers," Zhirinovskiy told the State Duma Friday morning. Chernomyrdin briefed the Duma on moves to meet this year’s federal budget. "No country has granted that much freedom to its press editions, Zhirinovskiy said, why not go part of the way back?" In Zhirinovskiy’s view, journalists are "much too fresh" because they both report, and offer comment on, various developments. Regional Affairs Chechnya Reportage: Negotiations, Military, Terrorism Lobov Outlines Priorities of Visit LD1610123695 Moscow Radio Rossii Network in Russian 1100 GMT 16 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Excerpt] In an exclusive interview with your correspondent, Oleg Lobov defined the main FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 tasks of his visit as follows: Firstly, it is to seek further ways of resuming negotiations and widening the list of participants in them. The second task is to accelerate restoration work in the republic. Electricity and gas supplies to the public are the most important aspects of this. And thirdly, apart from stepping up the negotiation process, to develop and put into effect a program to restore the republic’s industrial potential. That is mostly Arkadiy Volskiy’s job, Oleg Lobov said. He also thinks it essential to reach agreement with the republic’s government, the Committee for National Ac- cord, on forming coordination centers at district and town level to oversee the activities of all organizations in the given district or town. These would be headed ei- ther by representatives of the territorial administration, or by appointees of the Russian President's plenipo- tentiary representative in the Chechen Republic. This structure of authority would encompass all of Chech- nya. [passage omitted] As regards reports of several villages in southern Chechnya being bombed, Oleg Lobov said he would ask the procuracy to conduct an investigation. There should not be bombing, no question about that, he said. Meetings are expected to begin at any time between the Russian delegation and members of the Special Supervisory Commission, and also representatives of the OSCE mission in Groznyy, Arkadiy Volskiy said. He added that these meetings are not the beginning of talks, but just consultations. Lobov on Need To Continue With Talks LD1610090495 Moscow Radio Rossii Network in Russian 0800 GMT 16 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text] Oleg Lobov, the authorized representative of the president of the Russian Federation in Chechnya, arrived in Groznyy today. Over to our special correspondent Andrey Veduta: {Veduta] In an interview with our correspondent, Oleg Lobov said that first and foremost it is essential to find a way of renewing the talks. A venue for the talks will also be found. It is material that nobody is denying the need to continue the talks. That is the attitude of the new internal troops’ commander and the command. The Chechen side has also said that they are not opposed in principle to the talks. In Oleg Lobov’s opinion, it is also essential to consider widening the circle of those taking part in the talks process, since the recent events relating to increased activity by the illegal armed formations demonstrate the need for that very step. The second task is to speed up restoration work in Chechnya. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Answering a question about the need for a state of emergency to be brought in, Oleg Lobov said that it was no tragedy that a state of emergency had not been brought in. The Federal and local law enforcement bodies have sufficient unused resources in their arsenal to settle the situation. Oleg Lobov is being accompanied in Groznyy by Vy- acheslav Mikhaylov, nationalities minister and head of the delegation for settling the crisis in Chechnya; Arkadiy Volskiy, Lobov’s deputy in the delegation and chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepre- neurs, and Yefim Basin, the construction minister. An- drey Veduta, the news service, Groznyy. Grachev: No Resumption of ‘Hostilities’ LD1310145695 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1323 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev be- lieves that anti-terrorist and anti-guerrilla operations will have to be stepped up in Chechnya. He told journalists outside the State Duma conference hall Friday that federal authorities will not have to resume large-scale hostilities in Chechnya. Grachev emphasized that stabilizing the situation in Chechnya is the job of the Interior Ministry, while the army should only assist in this job. Basayev Claims To Have Radioisotopes LD1510154395 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — Elections in Chechnya must be held “under our direction" and their first precondition is the “pullout of occupation troops from Chechnya," a reliable source in one of the Russian law enforcement agencies quoted Chechen terrorist Shamil Basayev as saying Saturday. The source told INTERFAX that Basayev, head of a group of pro-Dudayev militants, spoke at a roundtable meeting in Shali also attended by field commanders Abu Movsayev and Yakub Usmanov. Basayev claimed that he has seven containers with radioisotopes. Four of the containers “have already been taken to Russia," said Basayev. Although experts doubt that Basayev tells the truth, the source told INTERFAX that “law enforcement agencies have taken additional measures to prevent possible fulfillment of the threats.” The source also told INTERFAX that speaking in Shali Basayev said that actions dubbed “live shield” are planned in several villages in southern Chechnya. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 53 Under the plan, in some areas of southern Chechnya civilians, including women and children, will be used to block the supply of food and fuel to federal forces deployed in these areas. Such statements are in glaring contradiction with the military agreement and are aimed at undermining it, said the high-ranking law enforcement official. He recalled that the Dudayev side violated the previous agreement to hand over all heavy armaments by October 10. The Dudayev side “has not handed over a single such armament so far," said the source. Basayev Displays Radioactive Container LD1510155995 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 [FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- ‘FAX) — Well-informed sources told INTERFAX that Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev had shown a container with radio-active substances during the ses- sion of the round-table conference including Chechen political parties in Shali Saturday. Basayev said he had four analogous containers “which have been delivered to various regions of Russia." Dudayev Said To Order Chechens’ Captured LD1510160195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — The department of the Federal Security Ser- vice (or FSB in Russian) in Chechnya has made public a statement which says that some field commanders of the illegal armed formations “received Dzhokhar Du- dayev’s order that militants capture in a demonstrative way Chechen inhabitants and their relatives." The mil- itants will do this “wearing police uniforms," says the document. The statement says that Dudayev supporters plan to hold “a large-scale propaganda campaign", including through the news media, in which they will declare that the measures are being taken by the Chechen interior ministry "to prepare for mass deportation of the Chechen people." Kidnapped Vendenskiy Official Found Dead LD1510181295 Moscow Russian Television Network in Russian 1700 GMT 15 Oct 95 [From the "Vesti" newscast] {[FBIS Translated Text] The prefect of the Vedenskiy District of Chechnya was found dead today. He was kidnapped by unknown persons together with his son a This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. a) RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS few days ago. During the same period the prefect and the deputy head of the district police department of the Nozhay-Yurt District were also kidnapped. It is still not known where they are. The RIA Novosti agency reports that the personnel of this district police have been placed in a state of emergency. The prefect of the Shatoy district is now also living in the police station building. Chernomyrdin Attacks ‘Provocations’ LD1410102995 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1023 GMT 14 Oct 95 [By Gennadiy Yezhov} (FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, October 14 (ITAR-TASS) — Provocations engineered by irrecon- cilable supporters of rebel leader Dzhokar Dudayev in Chechnya “cannot make Russia torpedo the process of a peaceful settlement” in the republic, said premier Viktor Chernomyrdin here on Saturday, replying to ITAR-TASS. "Provocations exist for the only purpose of scuttling peace processes," the prime minister noted. "They should not push us to extreme measures. We shall do our best to settle the conflict in the Chechen Republic peacefully. Nobody will push us to war by provocations." The head of government who participated today in a meeting of regional branches of the Russian Pensioners’ Union (it was held at the Znamya Revolutsii health- building centre in Moscow), reminded reporters that this position on Chechnya was outlined by President Boris Yeltsin at a meeting of the heads of Russian republics on Friday. Chernomyrdin said that he had no doubts who needed the terrorist act against General Anatoliy Romanov “who was at the head of the entire peace process and who did his best to crown the process with success”. "These are people who were guilty of the 1991 events in the Chechen Republic, which resulted in a replacement of power,” the premier noted. The cabinet head stressed that they will not be able to swing the course to war. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Kulikov Interviewed on Chechnya LD1610121895 Moscow NTV in Russian 1800 GMT 15 Oct 95 {Interview with Russian Internal Affairs Minister Ana- toliy Kulikov by Yevgeniy Kiselev; place and date not given — recorded] (FBIS Translated Text] [Kiselev] Anatoliy Sergeyevich, exactly a week ago, speaking on television, you came out in favor of the introduction of a state of emergency in Chechnya after the attack on General [Anatoliy] Ro- manov. Nevertheless, it was decided after a meeting be- tween the president and the prime minister on Tuesday [10 October] not to introduce a state of emergency. Do you still think that it is necessary to introduce a state of emergency? [Kulikov] The arguments which I put forward, and which the minister of defense put forward, were based on purely technical military considerations, on how measures could be taken in as short a time as possible to normalize the situation. The volume of information at the disposal of the president, the circumstances he has to consider, the conclusions to be drawn from this information by him are much wider and the president adopted this decision. We are obliged to carry out the president’s decision. [Kiselev] So it would be easier for you if all these measures were taken, but at the same time you take into account the possible political costs? [Kulikov] Yes, this is what one can think. [Kiselev] When you proposed that a state of emergency should be introduced, there were many who took your proposal as a sign that you did not have faith in the ability of the militia, of [Beslan] Gantemirov, [Salambek] Khadzhiyev to uphold law and order even in Groznyy. {[Kulikov] As far as the militia is concerned, from our point of view, the militia in Groznyy is not badly equipped perhaps for the exception of some organizational equipment, special equipment, and there are already some good results. It cannot be said that it is idle there. We are handing over federal forces to the militia, and we are making more and more use of it. Finally, the bodies of internal affairs of the Chechen Republic have already begun to carry out night patrols along with the federal militia, with special purpose militia detachments. Since there have been many allegations that the federal forces, the interior troops, and the armed forces have been violating the law, we are also bringing in representatives of the Chechen militia there so that they might defuse the This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Situation, act as interpreters and simply witness that actions are lawful. [{Kiselev] Nevertheless, the question arises — a politi- cal struggle is underway in Chechnya, a struggle which sometimes erupts into an armed struggle between dif- ferent groupings, between the different political figures which exist there. Can that Chechen militia be above all that politics? After all, they are armed. Can they be above that political turmoil which, unfortunately, as we can see, is continuing? [Kulikov] It not only can be above it. It is above it. Until the main question, the question of power — both in the localities and in the center — has been settled, there will be very great difficulties, of course. Today [Aslan] Maskhadov is making claims, saying: Let’s disperse all the militia which you formed and give armbands to the rebels, to the home guard, and let them guarantee law © and order because we do not trust that militia! But just imagine for a minute what things would be like today if that was done. It would be chaos! [Kiselev] The same situation only the other way around. [Kulikov] Quite right. [Kiselev] You mentioned Maskhadov. After the tragic incident of the attack on General Romanov has the trust which has arisen between you and Maskhadov — it seems that a certain level of trust has taken shape between you — wavered? [Kulikov] I’ ve known Maskhadov for rather a long time. The first time we met was at the early stage of the talks on 13 February. I saw in him and see in this man now the desire to resolve that conflict. Yes, that trust has wavered today. Although to a certain extent one can understand, if not explain, why Maskhadov cannot be 100 percent in control of the situation. I am sure that Maskhadov himself is not a supporter of or a fervent fighter for power [as heard]. As a military man- who served in the Soviet army, Maskhadov is a law- abiding person. He formed Dudayev’s ground troops for him. He fulfilled his task and thinks that he did that conscientiously. But today, after what has happened, I think that Maskhadov must change his attitude to his boss. [Kiselev] Do you mean Dudayev? {Kulikov) Yes, I mean Dudayev, of course. If Maskhadov sincerely wants peace on the land of Chechnya, he should say that frankly and honestly. I have said that to him on more than one occasion: Aslan, in this case, you must overcome your feelings here. [Kiselev] So you are on close terms with him? RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 55 (Kulikov] When we are working directly there, one-to- one, we have frank talks. [Kiselev] I’m only asking because it shows that a certain level of relations has been established between you. [Kulikov] Yes, I think that we understand each other well. [Kiselev] Can you trust, let’s say, Gantemirov and Avturkhanov 100 percent? [Kulikov] You know, by dint of my profession, I don’t trust anyone 100 percent. Therefore, in that situation it is especially important. Therefore, only verified facts should be trusted after you have satisfied yourself of the sincerity of one point of view or another. [Kiselev] Do you have any new information so far about ‘the attack on Romanov? [Kulikov] There are some new facts but I do not want to speak of them now. It would be premature. [Kiselev] Not all that long ago, literally a few days ago, the newspaper "TRUD" reported that a telephone conversation between Shamil Basayev and one of his men called Timur had been intercepted in which he congratulated him in connection with the attack on Romanov. Do you know anything about that? (Kulikov] I do not know exactly who Basayev was speaking to in the intercepted conversation but Basayev is still the main organizer and is even capable of terrorist acts. Literally yesterday, a secret so-called roundtable took place in the suburbs of Shali which was attended by representatives of 14 parties of the Chechen Republic. Basayev spoke at this roundtable and he threatened directly once again possible terrorist acts. Moreover, he showed a video recording of five containers with radioisotopes, or radioactive waste, and said that some of them from a container had already been sent to Moscow. We recently received information about the intention to carry out such terrorist acts. We briefed all Interior Ministry bodies, the heads of these bodies, and I would like to use today’s program to appeal once again to the heads of interior bodies to carry out very strictly and toughly the instructions which have been given, to appeal also to all the inhabitants of the country not to allow another Budennovsk, another Budennovsk tragedy to happen and to inform in good time the bodies of internal affairs of all suspicious actions. That is very serious. [Kiselev] What does it look like? Is it big or small? {Kulikov] According to eye-witnesses, it’s about 50-60 cm high, 20-30 cm wide. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 56 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS [Kiselev] Unfortunately, that container could be carried in a shopping bag. [Kulikov] It can be carried. Or it may be a bluff. I do not rule that out. It may be a threat, a deliberate threat to whip up the situation. But the very fact of the threats, the requests to carry out such terrorist acts show that he is a terrorist of international caliber, if he can be called that. He is an international terrorist. I can only regret that we have not yet detained that terrorist. [Kiselev] The question which concerns everyone, that everyone is asking frequently is: Journalists are able to get through to Basayev, journalists are able to get through to Dudayev. Why can’t the special services get through to them? [Kulikov] I have also answered that question many times. It is one thing for a journalist to get through having persuaded him or asked for an interview and he invites these journalists himself in order to announce that threat or to carry it out, to reveal his presence and all with a view to applying pressure. A snatch group whose goal is to detain him is another matter. There are a whole series of measures here. It isn’t a simple matter. I can only regret, I repeat that we still have not been able to... [Kiselev, interrupting] Do you at least know where Basayev is? [Kulikov] We know that he is in Chechnya, of course. We know roughly what district he’s in. [Kiselev] And what about Dudayev? [Kulikov] And we know the same about Dudayev, too. [Kiselev] But? (Kulikov] But we can’t yet do anything. [Kiselev] But are you preparing to take such actions. [Kulikov, laughing} Do you want me to reveal a clear plan for that? [Kiselev] Anatoliy Sergeyevich, thank you for the interview. Secret Services’ Complicity Hinted MK1410081395 Moscow OBSHCHAYA GAZETA in Russian No. 41, 12-18 Oct 95 (Signed to press 11 Oct 95) p 1 (Unattributed report: “They Have Long Been Searching, But Do Not Wish To Find") (FBIS Translated Text] Shamil Basayev has been pro- claimed Chechnya’s number one terrorist. He is wanted, but no one is searching for him. We have learned FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 that FSB [Federal Security Service] field officers in the Northern Caucasus have been tracing Basayev’s movements, locating his whereabouts, and reporting on that through their superiors to the very top, but instead of a response there is silence and no action whatso- ever. In the meantime, journalists regularly meet with Basayev without hindrance. The latest of them was Rus- lan Yamalov, OBSHCHAYA GAZETA’s photojournal- ist, who filmed his meeting. While in Shali, Ruslan went to Aslanbek, the local commandant, and asked him to arrange a meeting with Basayev. They got into a car and drove to the outskirts of town. There were no detective- Story tricks, such as blindfolding or zigzagging along the roads. Once at the meeting place, a fire was made and the participants sat down on logs.... The conversa- tion lasted for more than half an hour. Ruslan took a few pictures, bid farewell, and departed. The search for the terrorist is simply being sabotaged by law-enforcement agencies. To risk such unconcealed sabotage, you need to have fairly important interests. We are inclined to agree with the view of officers close to General Romanov: The Chechen side had nothing to do with the terrorist act; the perpetrators should be search for on this side. One last point: The country’s history and the tragedies of millions of people remind us how dangerous it is for all of us to have secret services pursuing their own secret ends. Eyewitnesses Tell of Village Airstrikes LD1510174695 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1649 GMT 15 Oct 95 {By ITAR-TASS special correspondent Nikolay Zag- noyko] {[FBIS Translated Text] Shatoy (Chechen Republic), 15 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — Refugees appeared again this morning in the village of Shatoy, a name familiar to millions from reports of the fighting last summer. They were from the nearby highland village of Kharsenoy, about 50 km south of Groznyy. The village came under aerial bombardment yesterday, eyewitnesses told this ITAR-TASS correspondent. They said six unmarked aircraft and helicopters each made several bombing and strafing runs over a period of nearly 20 minutes. The area around the village was littered with numerous craters. Houses were damaged by shrapnel and one house was nearly completely destroyed. There were no casualties. “As soon as we heard the roar of aircraft we all rushed to our cellars. That is where we sat out the bombing,” ITAR-TASS was told by Umidat, a 50-year-old mother This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 of 10. “After that we left all our possessions and livestock behind, and walked through the night along mountain paths toward Shatoy, nearly 20 km away. We bedded down in the local police station here. There are four old men and one old woman still in Kharsenoy. They are not well to make the journey themselves, and we could not carry them." "I cannot understand who needs to do this type of thing,” Yusup Dokhshukalov, the prefect of Shatoy district, told ITAR-TASS. "This morning we contacted Yuriy Zhadanov, the commander of the 245th Regiment which is deployed in the district. We have a very good relationship with him. The colonel himself was surprised at what had happened, he says that he tried to find out about the situation from the headquarters of the Joint Group of Federal Forces in Groznyy but nothing was known there either. Peace was just beginning to come about. People were paid their pensions and benefits and then this attack happens. I would understand the necessity of military action if Kharsenoy was a rebel base, but there are only 30 homes there. People live under tough conditions and we can hardly help them. There are no telephones in Shatoy, no electricity, the bakery and the hospital do not work. We are trying to persuade the refugees to return home. They need guarantees, but guarantees can only come about as a result of peace talks. Planes and bombs do not help such talks.” Air Force Denies Bombing Raids LD1610134995 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1242 GMT 16 Oct 95 [By Mikhail Shevtsov]} {[FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, October 16 (ITAR-TASS) — Not a single warplane of the Russian Air Force carried out combat operations in Chechnya in the recent past and could not make strikes on towns or villages in the republic, as Dudayev’s representatives claimed, ITAR-TASS learnt on Monday at the Russian Air Force press centre. According to earlier reports, minister of information and the press in Dudayev’s government Moviadi Udugov said that a missile and bomb strike was inflicted on the Chechen village of Roshni-Chu on October 8. As a result, 28 people died and 60 were wounded. According to Udugov, new air strikes were made on the villages of Drago and Belgatoy on October 14. As a result, 17 people were killed and 23 wounded. Incidentally, Udugov initially spoke about an air strike on the village of Kharsinoy. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 57 The command of united federal forces in Chechnya has no data so far on the alleged bombing of the Chechen villages. ITAR-TASS learnt at the press centre of the command that an investigation is now in progress to check facts described in Udugov’s statement. Military Launches Airstrike Investigation LD1610101395 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0842 GMT 16 Oct 95 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Olga Semenova] [FBIS Translated Text] Moscow, 16 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — The command of the joint group of federal forces in Chechnya has no information on the alleged shelling of two Chechen villages [Moviadi Udugov, a Dudayev official, has accused the Russian forces of shelling the villages of Dargo and Belgatoy on 14 October]. An ‘investigation has been launched into the allegations by Movladi Udugov, information and press minister of Dudayev’s government, a spokesman for the press centre of the command of the joint group of federal forces in the Chechen republic told ITAR-TASS. The interior ministry troops affairs have no aircraft of that particular type, an ITAR-TASS correspondent learnt at the public relations centre of the ministry. Spokesman Claims 17 Killed in Airstrikes LD1510155195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — The head of the information department under Dzhokar Dudayev’s government, Moviadi Udugov, told INTERFAX today that federal troops had launched air strikes at the villages of Dargo and Belgatoy in southern Chechnya on October 14. He said 17 people had been killed and 23 injured. The Chechen Armed Forces’ Main Staff headed by Aslan Maskhadov today holds a closed-door “confer- ence involving the commanders of fronts and directions" to discuss measures in response to the air strikes. Sources in the Russian Defense Ministry’s information division neither confirmed nor denied the reports about air strikes in an interview with INTERFAX. Bombings Said Possibly Ordered by Moscow LD1410144995 Moscow INFORMATSIONNOYE AGENTSTVO EKHO MOSKVY in Russian 1415 GMT 14 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Text] The statement by Aleksandr Naumov, commander of the Russian Defense Ministry This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 58 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS in Chechnya, to the effect that the aircraft under his command were not involved in the recent bombings of the Chechen settlement of Roshni-Chu, may correspond to the truth. As sources in Dzhokar Dudayev’s entourage told a Moscow Echo radio station correspondent, "in August, after similar ‘anonymous’ bombings of Roshni-Chu settlement and the blockading of the district center of Achkoy-Martan, as a result of which the peace talks were nearly wrecked, the then commander of the group of federal troops, Anatoliy Romanov, gave Chechen Chief of Defense Staff Aslan Maskhadov his word as an Officer that he had nothing to do with the bombings." According to the source, at that time General Romanov told Aslan Maskhadov unofficially that “an order di- rectly from Moscow to carry out bombings was not tuled out". The members of the Chechen government delegation at the peace talks in Groznyy received such explanations “with understanding”. Meszaros ‘Shocked’ by Raid on Roshni-Chu LD1410143495 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1322 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 14 (INTER- FAX) — The head of the OSCE mission in Chechnya Sandor Meszaros was shocked by what he saw in the village of Roshni-Chu in Chechnya’s Achkhoi-Martan District on Friday. He made this statement in an inter- view with INTERFAX given in Groznyy on Saturday upon his return from Roshni-Chu. Meszaros confirmed that the village came under a bomb strike on October 8. According to the local people, he said, eight assault planes launched two attacks on the village; they dropped 12 bombs and fired several dozen missiles. They also fired from submachine guns. As Meszaros said, 32 houses in the village were totally or almost totaliy destroyed; 60 or 62 houses were damaged. Meszaros quoted the local people as saying that 28 villagers were killed; about 60 were hospitalized. I do not know whether there were militants in the village or not, but such an action cannot be justified, Meszaros said. According to him, the incident clearly shows that there is no alternative to negotiations and to compliance with the agreement on military issues. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Meszaroe. No Alternative to Peace Talks LD141012289' 2#scow ITAR-TASS in English 1204 GMT 14 es 95 [By Nikolay Zagnoiko] {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, October 14 (ITAR-TASS) — The leader of the Groznyy mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe [OSCE], Sandor Meszaros, said at a news conference that there is no reasonable alternative to further peace talks in Chechnya. The developments in the village of Roshni-Chu last Saturday are another proof of that, Meszaros said, recounting his recent visit to Roshni-Chu. He quoted the villagers as saying, stressing that he was quoting what he was told, that 28 civilians were killed and 60 wounded in a Russian air raid on Roshni-Chu. The press centre of the Russian federal troops and the Defence Ministry denied the raid. Depicting the destruction which he saw in Roshni-Chu, Meszaros said he did not know whether there were Chechen fighters in the village, but the air raid would not be justifiable even if they were there. Meszaros said he knew that Russian check-points were attacked too, with lethal toll, and this may not be tolerated. He called on the conflicting parties to show maximal restraint and willingness to pull out of the conflict by peaceful means. Meszaros commented the Friday statement by Chechen top commander Aslan Maskhadov, who scolded the Groznyy mission of the OSCE as useless. The mission will continue to work as it has been working until now, Meszaros said. He said the mission’s mandate commits it to help all sides. If this task is consistently pursued, one of the sides will be expectably discontent, he pointed out. That the OSCE mission is criticised indicates that it carries on this line well, Meszaros said. Meszaros Involved in Car Accident LD1310145295 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1323 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text} GROZNYY, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — A car carrying head of the OSCE mission in Chechnya Sandor Meszaros and a mission staffer This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 were involved in a traffic accident at about | p.m. near the Groznyy motor terminal. Meszaros and the mission staffer were taken to the 9th city hospital of Groznyy. An INTERFAX correspondent reports from the scene of the accident that the mission vehicle was on its way from the Roshni-Chu settlement. According to prelimi- nary information which so far has not been confirmed to INTERFAX by the law-enforcement bodies, the car’s path was cut by a truck which came from the opposite direction. The car driver tried to make a turn, the car toppled over and turned over several times. At the hospital’s admission department Meszaros as- sured the INTERFAX correspondent nothing extraordi- nary had happened; it was simply an unfortunate acci- dent. Staffers of the OSCE mission have refused to make any comments until all the details become known. Commission To Meet Outside Groznyy LD1610131695 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1117 GMT 16 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 16 (INTER- FAX) — From now on the Special Observer Commis- sion will hold its meetings outside Groznyy. The lo- cation of the meetings will be chosen with the mutual consent of the sides, in accordance with the decision of the Territorial Department of Federal Executive Power Bodies in Chechnya and the federal troops command. A statement to this effect was passed over by represen- tatives of the federal troops command to Co-Chairman of the Special Observer Commission Aslan Maskhadov and head of the OSCE mission Sandor Meszaros Mon- day. The document explains the decision to change the lo- cation of the Commission’s meetings with the sharply aggravated situation in the Chechen Republic. The state- ment drafters called attention to the “attempt upon the life of federal troops commander and Co-Chairman of the Special Observer Commission Lieutenant-General Anatoliy Romanov, the frequent shelling of the military registration and enlistment office which houses meet- ings of the Special Observer Commission, and a threat of an attempt upon the life of Commission Co-Chairman representing the command of illegal armed units Aslan Maskhadov.” The recent developments in Groznyy and Chechnya have given grounds for the federal troops command to accuse Dudayev and his supporters of “unwillingness to fulfill the military agreement and the deliberate escalation of tension," says the statement. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 59 At the same time, the Russian side “reaffirms its striving to abide by the agreement,” notes the document. The troops command stresses that the “policy of Russian President Boris Yltsin and the government on peace- ful settlement in —nechnya, the recent roundtable meet- ings, functioning of the Supreme Soviet dissolved by Dudayev, boosted efforts of the National Revival Gov- ernment and the National Accord Committee and work done by Ruslan Khasbulatov clearly show who is think- ing about the interests and the fate of peoples of Chech- nya.” It is also evident “who is holding a policy of breaking peaceful settlement in the Chechen Republic while appealing to the OSCE mission via mass media and telling the whole world about one’s striving to fulfill the agreements.” Dudayev Delegation Asked To Relocate LD1510154995 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — Representatives of illegal armed groupings, who are staying in the residence of the Chechen dele- gation of the Special Observer Commission in Groznyy, have been handed the demand that they leave the build- ing as the federal command cannot ensure their security. The press service of the Joint Federal Command told IN- TERFAX Sunday that this demand had been advanced after the situation in Groznyy and in Chechnya in gen- eral sharply deteriorated. The federal checkpoints have come under fire about 100 times over the past 48 years [as received]. As a result, three servicemen died and 13 were wounded. Anti-Russian rallies are held daily in front of the building in Groznyy, where the Dudayev delegation is staying. Inside the building there are several dozen militants, some of whom, according to the federal command, fire at the federal checkpoints in Groznyy during the night time. The Dudayev delegation has been asked to find another building outside Groznyy, possibly in the villages of Stariye Atagi, Argun or other populated areas. Representatives of the federal command have already flown out to find a possible alternative residence for the Dudayev delegation. Baturin: Talks Without Dudayev Possible LD1310184495 Moscow NTV in Russian 1600 GMT 13 Oct 95 [Video report by Boris Koltsov and Leonid Pridorogin) (FBIS Translated Text] When peace talks began and were being held in Chechnya nobody forced anyone to This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination} is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 6 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS discount the figure of Dzhokar Dudayev. Yuriy Baturin, presidential aide for national security, thinks that this would be wrong. However, a situation is arising in which Dudayev might not take part in the talks. [Begin Baturin recording] Is it possible without Du- dayev? It is possible. In the Chechen Republic now more and more politically influential figures who enjoy sup- port are appearing on both sides. There is no doubt that they will strive for power. [end recording] Baturin touched on the Chechen theme today during his meeting with journalists at RIA Novosti. Speaking of Russia’s national security, he said that its concept would be ready at best in six months time. This is because the national Russian idea has not yet matured, the presidential aide thinks. Baturin stressed today that the events of the next few months are a very crucial Stage in the country’s political history. It is linked not only with the redistribution of property, which is already underway, but also with the parliamentary and presidentiai elections. It is namely with this stage that the recent increase in activities of the president's aides is linked. [Begin Baturin recording] Presidential aides have al- ways been rather active. In any event, the president of Russia does not reproach his aides for being passive. Now the situation is such — there are so many events — that everybody, including aides, are obliged to work much more intensively. Political time has passed much more quickly. [end recording] Along what lines the president’s aide should try to channel that current activity remains a secret so far. Basayev: No Elections Until Troops Withdraw LD1510154195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev told INTERFAX in an interview that elections in Chech- nya would not be held “until Russian troops are with- drawn from its territory.” "We don’t need elections now. When Russia leaves we will hold the elections ourselves," Basayev said. INTERFAX Note: Basayev led the gunmen’s raid on the town of Budennovsk (Stavropol region) as a result of which over 100 people died. Basayev said he believed that until the elections in Chechnya were held, the republic should be run “by Dzhokar Dudayev and the government of the Chechen Republic-Ichkeria which Dudayev formed." Basayev said Dudayev had appointed Chechen chief negotiator FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 at talks with Russia Khozh-Akhmed Yarikhanov as the chairman of the Chechen Central Election Commission. Basayev said: “Chechen political parties and movements currently have only one task: to obtain Russian troop withdrawal from the republic." He said he considered the round-table conference of Chechen political parties and movements, in whose session in Shali he took part Saturday, as “absolutely useless." He said he believed that the round-table conference had been created in Russia’s interests in order to “split the Chechen people." Basayev protested the bombardment of the Roshni-Chu village last Friday. “That’s cynical to bomb villages, kill women and children after signing an agreement on military problems,” he said. Basayev also said he believed that "the OSCE was not interested in fair settlement of the Chechen crisis from the very beginning.” He accused the OSCE of siding with Russia. When asked about possible introduction of the state of emergency in Chechnya, Basayev wondered: “What state of emergency can be discussed while a real war is being waged here?" Dudayev Group Against Holding Elections LD1510155695 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1351 GMT 15 Oct 95 [FBIS Transcribed Text] SHALI, Oct 15 (INTERFAX) — Dzhokhar Dudayev’s representatives said they were against holding parliamentary elections in Chechnya “given the federal troops’ presence” in this Caucasian republic. The Dudayev delegation said at the round-table con- ference of Chechen political parties and movements in Shali (about 35 kilometers away from Groznyy) Satur- day that it disagreed with the proposal by member of the Chechen National Accord Committee Khasan Turkayev that a coalition body be created for preparing for par- liamentary elections. Turkayev said the coalition body might be made up of representatives of all Chechen par- ties and movements, including Dudayev’s supporters. The Dudayev delegation at the round-table conference was headed by field commander Shamil Basayev. Basayev said: “Chechnya already has a political power body: President Dzhokhar Dudayev around whom the people should unite themselves.” Those at the round-table said they favored the imple- mentation of the July 30 military agreement. Dudayev’s representatives took part in the session of the round-table conference for the first time. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 INTERFAX Note: Shamil Basayev led the hostage- taking in the town of Budennovsk (Russia’s Stavropol region). Over 100 civilians died in the Basayev gun- men’s raid. Achkhoy-Martan Told To Surrender Arms LD1610062795 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0552 GMT 16 Oct 95 {By ITAR-TASS correspondent Sharip Asuyev] (FBIS Translated Text] Groznyy, 16 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — The fighters blockaded in the village of Achkhoy- Martan, 45 kilometers to the west of the Chechen capital, have been presented with an ultimatum — to surrender 150 firearms today. The ITAR-TASS correspondent was told this by telephone by Shamil Burayev, the prefect of Achkhoy-Martan District. He said the village had for three days now been completely isolated from the outside world. Subunits of the federal forces were not letting anyone into or out of the village. The prefect affirms that in confirmation of the serious of their intentions the Russian military shelled Achkhoy-Martan with artillery fire on 14 October. As a result of that, 10 civilians were wounded, several of them being in grave condition, and about 30 homes and farm buildings were destroyed. Shamil Burayev said he, the head of the district mili- tia department Kyuri Ozdamirov and military comman- dant of the district from the Dudayevite side Vakha Merzhoyev were holding intensive talks with the Com- mand of the Russian Forces, but so far it was not proving possible to relieve the situation. Cen. Viasenkov on Chechen Situation LD1510182195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1730 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] GROZNYY, Oct 15 (INTER- FAX) — Deputy Commander of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Joint Grouping in Chechnya, Major-General Viktor Vlasenkov, has not confirmed the Dudayev side’s allegations that the Dudayev delegation to the Special Observer Commission was handed an ultimatum Sunday which said that it must leave its residence in Groznyy by 15:00. He told reporters Sunday that in actual fact the dele- gation had been asked to leave its Groznyy residence in view of the complicated situation in the city and in the neighboring regions, and jointly find a place for the Commission’s further work in one of the populated ar- eas where the security of both Dudayev’s representa- tives and the members of the OSCE mission would be ensured. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 61 He also said that an agreement had been reached that the Dudayev delegation would leave its Groznyy residence during two or three days. Viasenkov noted that he had made a working trip Sunday to find a place where the Dudayev delegation to the Special Observer Commission might stay. The Dudayev delegation would be offered two places on Monday, he said. According to INTERFAX sources, the villages of Stariye Atagi, Argun and a number of other towns and villages are being considered as possible places of the Dudayev delegates’ residence. Chernomyrdin Promises All Help for Romanov LD1310220195 Moscow NTV in Russian 1600 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Excerpt) Doctors today reported that the state of health of General Anatoliy Romanov, who was wounded in Chechnya, has improved somewhat. [passage omitted] Replying to questions by our colleag: . Sergey Dorenko today, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin said that everything possible will be done in the battle for the life of General Romanov. [Begin Chernomyrdin recording] I sincerely regret what has happened to him and I would like, first of all, once again to wish him a speedy recovery. I am — and we are — keeping a close eye on his health. We are not the only ones — so are the president and ministers. We have brought everything into play that could have been brought into play. I told the Ministry of Health and the military to do everything that needs to be done for that man — in our country or abroad — to involve, invite. We will do everything! Our leading experts say today — and I believe them — that everything that can be done is being done. I very much want this man to get better. He did not deserve it, you know, even from the purely human point of view. If it had been someone who had been spoiling for war I would have understood it, but he did his utmost to ensure that there was peace in the region. Kuzbass Miners Protest; Strike Does Not Materialize MM1310105695 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 13 Oct 95 pl [Report by Viktor Kostyukovskiy: "All-Kuzbass Strike Has Not Taken Place”) (FBIS Translated Text) The all-Kuzbass protest action planned for 12 October has taken place. But the all- Kuzbass strike that was predicted did not take place, pode ae Feat pr material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 62 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS our correspondent Viktor Kostyukovskiy reports from Kemerovo. Four mines in southern Kuzbass, one in Prokopyevsk, and a number of sections at several enterprises have completely stopped work. Some do not stand to gain from striking, others have thrown up their hands in despair and see no point in a strike, while yet others, for example at several enterprises in Mezhdurechensk, received their wages for the summer months literally the day before the planned action. The protesters’ economic demands are not new — they relate primarily to wage arrears. Their political demands are no longer new either: the dismissal of the government, early presidential elections, and a change to the reform policy. At some enterprises, known to be loss-making and to have no future, workers, prompted by their trade union leaders, are demanding “let the enterprise work," in other words, ensure funding for enterprises which are a millstone around the Russian economy’s frail neck. This is the outcome of the ill- conceived policy of closing such enterprises down. In some cities in the oblast there have been rallies of a clearly marked politicai character with an abundance of red hammer-and-sickle banners and the appropriate speeches. The loudest and most strident speakers at those rallies, however, were not the miners but teachers and veterans. Aman Tuleyev, chairman of the oblast’s legislative assembly, took part in one such rally in Prokopyevsk. Dyumzhinov Reelected Kalmykia Presider: LD1610133995 Moscow INTERFAX in Enyiish 1117 GMT 16 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] ELISTA, KALMYKIA, Oct 16 (INTERFAX) — 33 year old Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been re-elected president of Kalmykia (a republic within Russia in the Volga region) as a result of voting on October 15. This was announced by representatives of the republican Eiectorai Commission at a news conference on Monday. By preliminary returns, Ilyumzhinov was supported by 140,000 voters or 84% of those who came to the polls. In all, 150,000 people or 78% of the registered voters cast ballots. Ilyumzhinev was elected president foi a term of seven years. The elections were held before time with Ilyumzhinov as the only candidate. Elected president for five years back in May of 1993, Ilyumzhinov had initiated early elections himself, claim- ing that this way he wants to “make sure that people trust him as a politician rather than a businessman." FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Before he took over the presidential office, he led a number of big financial corporations in Kalmykia in 1993. He is considered one of the wealthiest men in the republic. Tatarstan’s Premier Notes Stabilization of Economy LD1410200195 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1326 GMT 14 Oct 95 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Nikolay Sorokin] {[FBIS Translated Text] Kazan, 14 Oct (ITAR-TASS) — A stage of stabilization has started in Tatarstan’s economy. Production output has gone up by 15 percent since the beginning of January compared to last year, republican Prime Minister Farid Mukhametshin told an expanded government meeting today. Some industries, especially chemistry and petrochemi- cals, which account for a quarter of the repu’ lic’s entire industrial output he said, have started increasing produc- tion. At the same time, despite a most severe drought, 17 quintals of grain per hectare have been harvested. For the first time the republic has enough wheat for it- self, of which 440,000 tonnes have been procured. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaymiyev, who spoke at the meeting, stressed that the main task now is to boost the inflow of capital in the goods-producing industries and attract prestigious investors, including those from abro d. Transcaucasus Forces Leader Reut Visits Ajaria MM1310132295 Moscow KRASNAYA ZVEZDA in Russian 12 Oct 95 pl [Report by Vitaliy Denisov: "This Is Not Russia, the ‘Climate’ Is Different Here...."] (FBIS Translated Text] With the aim of familiarizing himself with the state of the installations handed over by Ajaria’s leadership to the Group of Russian Forces in the Transcaucasus, Colonel General Fedor Reut, commander of the Group of Russian Forces in the Transcaucasus, has arrived in Batumi. During the visit the commander viewed the building of the international microsurgery center in Khelvachauri, handed over to be used as a military hospital. Touching on the results of his trip Fedor Reut stated that the state of all the installations handed over is beyond all praise and stressed: “Ajaria is the region of Georgia where we are treated even better than in Russia itself." Aslan Abashidzhe, chairman of the Ajar Autonomous Republic Supreme Council, who accompanied the Russian general on his trip, stated that This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 he believes the Russian troops are the main guarantee of the conservation of peace in the region. Economic Issues Yeltsin Calls For Corrections to Draft 1996 Budget LD1310190695 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1639 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, Oct 13 (INTER- FAX) — Russian President Boris Yeltsin believes fore- casts of the country’s social and economic development in the government-proposed budget for 1996 must be clarified. He told a meeting of the leaders of Russian au- tonomous republics on Friday that this was not grounded well enough. Yeltsin said clarifications were needed of inflation rates and revenues from property. He called for correcting the direction of tax reform and finding other non- inflationary sources of servicing Russia’s foreign debt and budget deficit. The president diverted attention to the need for seeking non-budgetary resources in the republics and regions, saying that serious reform was needed in defining the relationship of various level budgets in 1996. First Deputy Prime Minister Anatoliy Chubays at the same meeting announced government plans to more than double financial aid to the republic budgets from sume 15 trillion rubles in 1995 to 38 trillion next year. He said the government had met its obligations on this year’s transfers and even exceeded the target figures at some places. However, Chubays said that the existing system of form- ing transfers and financial aid was causing objections both from recipients and the government which is well aware of the need to reform it because of being obso- lete. Participants in the meeting agreed with arguments presented by the cabinet which wants to rectify some of the imbalances. Chubays disagrees that Moscow region is rated as one of the needy under the existing system. "This may not be so," he said. From now on, he said, the transfers would be made not from a sum of 27% of the value added tax from the federal treasury but 15% of federal tax revenues. The government hopes the measure will help speedy tax collection in the regions. RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 63 Livshits Sees Draft Budget as Basis for Compromise MK1410131495 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 14 Oct 95 p1 {Report by Aleksandr Bekker: “Aleksandr Livshits: Budget Is Not a Dogma, But a Basis for Compromise. Government Has Room for Maneuver"} {[FBIS Translated Text] At SEGODNYA’s request, Aleksandr Livshits [presidential assistant for econom- ics] has commented on Boris Yeltsin’s statement on the need to correct the 1996 draft budget. According to the presidential aide, the words of the head of state must be regarded as "a search for compromise with the State Duma.” This is in line with all the president has said on making the budget more socially oriented. "No good is a government that has the only impeccable version of the budget, leaving no room for discussion," said Mr. Livshits. At the same time, he believes that it would have been more logical for the lower chamber to pass the draft budget on its first reading. The alternative, in the aide’s view, is tantamount to voicing no confidence in the cabinet of ministers. The deputies’ decision to turn the budget down on its first reading and hand it over to a conciliation committee “is somewhat inconsistent." Emphasizing the importance of receiving from the IMF the $3 billion EFF [extended fund facility] loan, Mr. Livshits let it be known that, under certain conditions, alternative sources of covering the budget deficit might be sought. The presidential aide said that a revision of the social and economic development forecast and a recalculation of the budget parameters could be made in a civilized way without violating the budget’s basic guidelines. "If monthly inflation is assumed at, for instance, 1.4 percent instead of the currently assumed 1.2 percent, this, I think, does not exceed a reasonable level of compromise,” said Aleksandr Livshits. Comptroller’s Office Questions Budget Assumptions MMI610092495 Moscow IZVESTIYA (Financial Section) in Russian 13 Oct 95 pl [Report by Yevgeniya Pismennaya: "Comptroller's Of- fice Negative About 1996 Budget") {(FBIS Translated Text] The Russian Comptroller’s Office has submitted its conclusion on the draft budget for 1996. The Comptroller’s Office specialists claim that the strategy of financial stabilization based on minimizing inflation and the budget deficit and placing tough limits on the expenditure side of the budget is not being This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 64 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS justified. In reality, many of the main provisions of the president’s message on budgetary policy in 1996 are not being implemented. The budget’s revenue indicators are not based on any specific measures or decisions. The draft budget for 1996 almost wholly maintains the thrust of 1995 budgetary policy and fails to ensure financial stabilization. The budget is based on unrealistic initial conditions when it comes to the inflation rate. This year inflation is already significantly in excess of the government’s forecasts in the 1995 budget. The government estimates that consumer price growth in the current year will be 283-294 percent — or 6.3-7 percent a month — with inflation falling to 2-3 percent in December. Consumer prices have already increased by 100-140 percent in January-July this year, matching the increase last year. Total monetary resources as of 1 January this year came to 97,825.9 billion rubles [R], and had increased by 1 July to R156,732.9 billion — or 160.2 percent. This means that we can predict that monthly inflation will be 6-8 percent this fall and around 10 percent by the new year. According to the Comptroller’s Office predictions, actual inflation this year will be approximately threefold, as opposed to the government estimate of 110-130 percent. The first (optimistic) draft of the budget for 1996 is based on achieving inflation of 2-2.5 percent a month by the end of 1995 and keeping inflation to 1 percent a month throughout 1996 (GDP deflator 135, consumer price growth 133). Under the second (pessimistic) draft, inflation is reduced to 3.5 percent a month by the end of the year and kept at 3 percent a month during 1996 (deflator 160, consumer price growth 160). According to government estimates, the deflator will fall next year by 1.96 times under the first draft and by 1.66 times under the second. This indicator stood at 1.69 in 1995 compared with 1994. Taking account of the actual inflation indicators expected this year, the deflator will fall in 1996 by 2.67 times (version one), or by 2.26 times (version two), and by 1.25 times this year compared with last year. There are also doubts about the GDP estimates. The government estimates that the anticipated execution of the 1995 budget should come to R213.76 trillion for revenue, corresponding to 13.53 percent of expected GDP (the ratified budget gives a figure of 18.8 per- cent) and R272.51 trillion for expenditure (17.2 percent of anticipated GDP against a set figure of 26.7 per- cent). The deficit is R83.266 trillion for revenue and R150.1 trillion for expenditure. If the actual anticipated level of inflation (approximately threefold) and the ac- celerated growth of the GDP deflator (3.61) are taken into account, we obtain a larger anticipated level of FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 GDP (approximately R2,152.38 trillion), revenue short- fall (R113.43 trillion), and expenditure underfinancing (R204.48 trillion). This is what has caused the state’s failure to meet its commitments, and hence the chain reaction of defaulting. The government estimate of R1,580 trillion for GDP in 1995 has been used as the basis for the 1996 GDP estimate of R2,100 trillion, even though it seems more realistic to assume that the level will be at least R2,150 trillion. Consequently, next year’s budget needs, even on the basis of the inflation levels used, to apply a GDP figure of at least R2,900 trillion under option one and R3,400 trillion under option two. Given that in the context of a continuing production slump and the adopted budget and fiscal strategy inflation is unlikely to fall more than 1.2-1.5 times, and the deflator should at least be no less than inflation, we can expect GDP to be at least R3,750-4,250 trillion. It is obvious that the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget need reworking. Otherwise, the Comptrol- ler’s Office predicts, this year’s situation, which has produced large amounts of defaulting that are the state’s fault, will be further compounded. "Disguising" the bud- get deficit, as has been done in the past, will not resolve the situation, but will make it intractable. Moreover, there are many contradictory indicators in the draft budget regarding the reform programs for 1995- 1997. The task is set of reviving economic growth but, at the same time, there is a forecast of a decline in domestic demand, a further deterioration in the structure of fixed capital, an ongoing outflow of capital from the production sphere to the sphere of financial and brokerage activity, a decline in investment activity, and a continuing tendency for the economy to be geared to raw materials. The forecast presupposes a further decline in pay as a proportion of GDP, the stagnation of the population's monetary income, an increase of 1.5 million in the num- ber of registered unemployed, and a rate of unemploy- ment hitting 4.2-4.8 percent. This does not square with the stated social thrust of President Yeltsin’s economic policy. The explanatory note to the draft federal budget for 1996 claims that the social sphere and support for investment have been given priority in budgetary policy for the coming year. It follows from the consolidated financial balance sheet that this expenditure as a proportion of the budget will remain at the current year’s level (9.5 percent in 1994, 5.6 percent in 1995, approximately 5.8 percent in 1996). This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 The Comptroller’s Office claims that incorrect compar- isons of items of expenditure in the ratified budget as a percentage of GDP have been used in assessing this year’s results. In particular, the comparison of items of budget expenditure has been done on the basis that GDP in 1995 will be R1,580 trillion rather than the R930 tril- lion that was used as the basis for the main federal bud- get indicators this year. This leads to the creation of the impression that the proportion of expenditure in 1996 GDP has increased. The explanatory note provides ex- penditure as a proportion of GDP for 20 main categories, revealing growth for all but two. The Comptroller’s Of- fice calculations show that spending is actually falling this year. And it is this expenditure that is being used as the basis for calculating proportions for all categories of spending in 1996. Chernomyrdin, Vasilyev Cited on Economy, Inflation LD1210154195 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1532 GMT 12 Oct 95 (By Gennady Yezhov] {[FBIS Transcribed Text} MOSCOW, October 12 (ITAR-TASS) — Russian Prime Minister Viktor Cher- nomyrdin asked today’s meeting of the government to declare unsatisfactory the government’s efforts, exerted in the first ten months of this year, to implement Presi- dent Yeltsin’s 1995 message to the Russian parliament. The cabinet was considering the implementation of the comprehensive plan for the government’s actions to implement the message, and also the government programme to further the reforms and develop the Russian economy in 1995-1997. Both the plan and the programme envisage concrete efforts to create a solid normative-legal basis in the country, which will ensure the success of economic reforms in Russia. In spite of this, Chernomyrdin said, the country now has only 50 per cent of the needed legislations. Deputy Minister for Economics Sergey Vasilyev, who reported io the government on this problem, said that the plan envisaged the elaboration, in the period from June to September, of 58 per cent of the needed norma- tive documents, pertaining to the financial, monetary- crediting, investment, structural policies, to the insti- tutional reforms, including the agricultural and social policies, the housing reform, the foreign economic and regional policies, the protection of the environment and the use of natural resources. More than twenty min- istries and other agencies are taking part in the drafting of these bills. However, only ten normative documents had been approved by September 25, 1995, and seven other RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 65 bills had been submitted for approval to the State Duma and the President. Moreover, seventeen draft normative documents are now being debated within the government, readied for signing or approval by the State Duma. Twenty others are in the making or are being thrashed out with the agencies concerned. Chernomyrdin instructed his First Deputy Anatoly Chubays to check the corresponding work of ministries and other agencies and to submit to the next meeting of the government a document on the the extend to which the comprehensive plan for the cabinet’s actions and the government's programme to implement the president's message have been fulfilled. “Those guilty will be punished if their work is found to be unsatisfactory, up to and including ministers," Chernomyrdin stressed. Moreover, the premier promised that the progress of the implementation of the president’s message would henceforth be discussed at each meeting of the govern- ment. It was also moved to alter the method and proce- dure for drawing up bills. It often happens that a federal bill or a federal programme, approved by the govern- ment, is backed up only by 20 per cent of the needed financial means. Chernomyrdin stressed that it was im- permissible to allow "a Finance Ministry official" adopt decisions on the allocation of money to finance this or that federal programme. "It is the government that will adopt such decisions, and it will decide what and to whom should be allocated each year. The government must primarily honour its own decisions. It must guar- antee all the financial means needed by the programmes it approves,” the premier stressed. Dwelling on some other key directions of the implemen- tation of the President’s message, Vasilyev noted that a steady drop of monthly inflation rates was observed throughout the year due to the taken measures, although it was impossible to cut down inflation to 1-2 per cent a month by the second half of 1995, as it stipulated by the government’s programme. For instance, it equalied to 4.6 per cent in August, which is far below the av- erage for 1994 (10-12 per cent a month). Nevertheless, Vasilyev pointed out, the danger of a lasting depression was not done away with. In this situation, investments in production can be expected to perk up not earlier than 1998-1999. The main reasons behind this year’s growing inflation, Vasilyev said, include such factors as the creation of the Central Bank’s currency reserves, which made for the growth of rouble supply over and above the envisaged volumes, the government's insuf- ficient control over the activities of natural monopolies, and the heightened inflationary expectations of the en- terprises and population. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 66 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Premier: State Employees’ Back Wages To Be Paid LD1310192795 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1741 GMT 13 Oct 95 [Compiled by Nikolay Zherebtsov, Andrey Petrovskiy, and edited by Vladimir Shishlin: from the "Presidential Bulletin" feature} (FBIS Transcribed Text] Prime Minister Viktor Cher- nomyrdin told the State Duma Friday that having back wages paid to people engaged in the state sector and increasing their wages 1.54-fold shortly are the priority tasks of his government. He promised that the govern- ment will concentrate on social problems. Chernomyrdin also undertook to set up a fund which will pay compensation to those who were defrauded of their money by fraudulent banks and financial com- panies. The government also intends to aid companies working with deposits made by individuals. In responding to questions Chernomyrdin denied that he supported sales of arable lands as private property now but warned that the country should reach that stage because vast areas are not used in Russia, much land is owned by nobody. Premier Highlights Positive Developments in Economy MMI1610094095 Moscow ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI in Russian 14 Oct 95 p 3 (Unattributed report: "Viktor Chernomyrdin: Preserving the Pace of the Positive Changes"] (FBIS Translated Text] The scale of the fall in social production has lessened compared with the same period last year, Viktor Chernomyrdin said Friday {13 October] at the State Duma when delivering a report on the socioeconomic situation of the Russian Federation. GDP fell by just 3 percent in the first nine months of the year, one-fourth of last year’s figure. Production growth has been noted in a number of sectors, although every sector has enterprises that are "prostrate." The economy has begun not only to survive, according to the premier, but has also begun to develop in line with market laws. The introduction of currency banding has had positive results; it has thereby proved possible to reduce the degree of dollarization of the economy and stabilize the tuble system. The government chairman also pointed to negative e/ements. These include the 12-percent reduction in the population’s real incomes whereby 40 million people have ended up with less than the minimum subsistence level. This is the result of the failure to secure the planned level of inflation. For the same reason it has FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 not proved possible to change the situation with regard to investments, the influx of which is lagging behind the anticipated level. Nonpayments are affecting the economy severely. Speaking about the formation of a banking system, Chernomyrdin stressed that the August crisis marks the Crisis stage in an illness after which recovery begins. In his view we are on the verge of establishing the coun- try’s banking system, in whose stabilization the state securities market should play a major role. The premier familiarized deputies with the steps the government is proposing to take to consolidate the steady positive eco- nomic trends. It is planned to introduce the mechanism of state regulation of the natural monopolies, including the power industry, railroad transport, and the oil and gas industry. Federal commissions will be set up which should, inter alia, ensure that the rise in the price of the natural monopolies’ output is no more than 70 percent of inflation. The government also intends to carry on providing support for the base sectors of industry — coal, metallurgy, etc. The 1996 state budget must en- visage a state order for defense complex enterprises. In the near future the government will examine a program for the development of agriculture in which it will em- ploy new forms of cooperation with the agrarian sector capable of ensuring more effective use and repayment of credit. Speaking about land, Chernomyrdin noted that it should belong to an owner, to someone who is able and willing to work effectively on that land. It must be both inherited and pass from a bad owner to a good owner. The premier dwelt especially on the problem of duped investors. He condemned the wrongful practice of creating financial pyramids and said that there are plans to set up a compensation fund which will pledge to restore citizens’ money. Steps will also be taken to galvanize law-enforcement bodies in suppressing the activity of organizations that resemble financial pyramids. Among the government's top priorities the premier listed the elimination of wage arrears and the resolution of the issue of pension indexation. He touched on the Situation in the coal industry, noting that the state has paid the miners’ wage arrears and that their problems are because of the insolvency of associated sectors and their customers. Mutual offsetting of debts will be employed in the near future to resolve the crisis. He also urged the heads of local administrations to take steps to curb the rise in prices of local manufacturers’ output. In conciusion the premier dwelt on issues that the government and the State Duma must resolve in the two months before the elections and called for a This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 “nonaggression pact" between them. According to him, the positive results of joint work will be the best canvassing tool during the election campaign. He said that the work on the 1996 budget, which will define the concept for the state’s entire economic policy in the near future, is the main area. The premier stressed that the budget is not an issue of dogma and the government is ready to modify it. The main thing today is, however, to avoid dramatic changes in economic policy and preserve the steady pace of the positive changes. Yasin: Financial Stabilization Process To Continue LD1310211595 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 2045 GMT 13 Oct 95 [By Robert Serebrennikov] {FBIS Transcribed Text) MOSCOW, October 13 (ITAR-TASS) — "Speculations about the collapse of financial stabilisation in Russia are groundless, the process goes ahead, although there are difficulties to overcome,” Russian Economics Minister Yevgeniy Yasin said in a interview with BUSINESS-TASS today. The minister noted that the International Monetary Fund had positively assessed Russia's compliance with the terms on which it was granted a loan, although inflation rates had fallen short of expectations. "IMF representatives have congratulated us on the achieved results,” Yasin said. He positively assesses the first contacts established between the IMF and representatives of the State Duma. At the same time, he expressed his discontent, saying that “the IMF had been rather hard on the government but excessively soft towards the parliament.” Yasin admitted a possibility of “correcting” the level of inflation rates envisaged in the draft budget for 1996, taking into account the results of the current fiscal year. Gathering, Processing of Income Statistics Viewed MM1310153795 Moscow TRUD in Russian 13 Oct 95 pS [Article by political observer Vitaliy Golovachev: “State Knows Perfectly Well What We Have in Our Pockets. At the Request of Statisticians 49,000 Russians Have Kept Household ‘Ledgers,’ Scrupulously Recording Income and Expenditure Every Day. This Information Is Kept Strictly Secret") (FBIS Translated Text] For many decades the State Committee for Statistics has been gathering and sum- marizing every month information about the income and expenditure of families of various means in almost all “typical” groups and strata of the population, as spe- RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS 67 cialists say, and in all regions throughout the country. In the former USSR, 90,000 family budgets of blue- and white-collar workers, kolkhoz workers, and pensioners were analyzed. (The incomes of as many as 310,000 families were studied during one-shot selective investi- gations). But until 1989 all this material was kept com- pletely secret. A total of 49,000 family budgets aze used as a “base” in the Russian Federation. This information is of extreme importance. Because on its basis (following the appropriate computer process- ing, summarization, and systematization) the authorities assess processes going on in the social sphere, changes in the population’s living standard, and the scale of poverty, and it must be assumed, they then adopt fun- damental political and economic decisions. That is why this information should be comprehensive and exact. In each of the 49,000 families, one of the family members keeps detailed daily records of all income and expenditure. Usually it is the housewife — women are more punctilious, patient, and, most importantly they do the shopping and run the household. At the same time, statistical services officials guarantee complete anonymity and promise to keep all the information obtained a strict secret. The budgets of the same families are examined throughout the year. In many cases such observations are conducted for several years running. Curiously, when they come to an end, the home accountants, who have gotten used to scrupulously recording all income and expenditure, often continue to do so. But perhaps the most difficult question is how accurate is the information obtained by the statistical services about the rich and poor. As for those who are poorly provided for, there the information is very reliable, so specialists believe — “the destitute have nothing to hide.” The task is more difficult with those whose living conditions are better. In Soviet times, for example, “operators” did not get selected. And now that earnings constitute less than one-half of personal income, there are not all that many people willing to talk about their earnings on the side (frequently concealed from tax inspectors) and other income. It is very difficult, frequently impossible, to obtain information about the very rich — bankers, entrepreneurs, “the new Russians." The same situation prevails in all countries throughout the world, incidentally. What has the examination of family budgets in the past five years revealed? In fact, something of which we are all already well aware: a rapid increase in the extent of poverty. Whereas in 1990 there were just over 2 million Russians below the poverty line (taking into account the minimum set of products, goods, and services necessary This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 68 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS for survival), then in 1992, following the beginning of the radical reforms, the figure was 50 million (one- third of the country), reaching 47 million in 1993, 45 million in the first quarter of this year, and 35 million in August.... The stratification of society is increasing sharply. In 1991 the income of the 15 million least well-provided for Russians was exceeded by the income of the 15 million best-provided for Russians by a factor of 4.5. Last year it was a factor of 15. The most dangerous phenomenon is stagnant poverty. When a family temporarily finds itself in a difficult situation (a young couple with children or someone who temporarily becomes unable to work) then this can be overcome, and people do not lose hope. But stagnant poverty generates irreversible changes in way of life and psychology, which results in spiritual traumas that are hard to cure. The examination of family budgets has shown that last year, for 46 percent of the population living below the poverty line, the poverty was temporary, while for 54 percent (around 20 million Russians) it was stagnant and constant over the year. Statistics also have the answer to the following question: How much money do the poor need for their income to reach the subsistence wage? A vast sum — 23.3 trillion rubles [R] for January-August of this year. The average money income of the 30 million Russians with the greatest income was R1.085 million rubles, whereas it did not exceed R147,000 for the 30 million poorest citizens. The fight against poverty has become one of the most important problems in Russia today. In the next few months the State Committee for Statis- tics is planning to substantially change and expand the circle of Russians polled. Specialists will visit people’s apartments, and maybe they will knock on your door, dear reader. Do not refuse to let them in. First of all, complete confidentiality is guaranteed. Second, it is not just the leaders, but all of us who really must know how the Russians live... Lack of Fuel May Cause Powerplants To Cut Supplies MK1410062595 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 12 Oct 95 p4 (Unattributed report: "Electric Power Workers Warn That Electricity Supply May Be Cut") (FBIS Translated Text] Russian power generation facili- ties are “on the verge of a standstill" because of virtually FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 "zero fuel reserves" — a situation that gives rise to a fully “realistic threat" that certain oblasts and regions of the Russian Federation may be cut off from thermal and electric energy sources, Viktor Kudryavatyy, first vice president of the “Russian Single Electric Power Sys- tem" joint-stock company [RSEPS], said at a meeting held at the Russian Federation Fuel and Energy Min- istry on Wednesday [11 October]. In his words, a par- ticularly worrying situation is coming about in the Cen- tral Region of the Russian Federation, where 70 percent of energy-generating facilities are gas-operated. During the first 9 months of 1995, Mr. Kudryavatyy said, the "Gazprom" joint-stock company delivered to the electric power industry 6 billion cubic meters of gas less than during the same period of 1994. At present, gas deliv- eries to Russia’s largest Konakovskaya, Kostromskaya, Permskaya, Pechorskaya, and Ryazanskaya State Re- gional Electric Power Stations have been halved. "Any further halt in gas supplies to these stations will force power industry workers to cut electric and thermal en- ergy supplies to all customers regardless of whether or not they pay their energy bills," Mr. Kudryavatyy em- phasized. RSEPS specialists blame the electric power stations’ fuel predicament on a lack of money needed to purchase fuel. As of 1 October, the debts of electricity consumers have already exceeded 27 trillion rubles. At the same time, as was noted at the meeting, which was attended by "Gazprom" officials, the electric power industry’s debt for gas reached nearly 8.4 trillion rubles by 1 October. On the whole, 58 percent of Russia’s thermal electric power stations are gas-operated. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 International Affairs NATO Delegation Meets Ukrainian Officials in Kiev LD1310185095 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1520 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Kiev — Issues of the proce- dure and terms for admitting new members to NATO were not discussed at a briefing in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine on 13 October, Volodymyr Khan- dohiy, deputy foreign minister of Ukraine, said after the briefing, which was held for the officials and experts of Ukraine’s ministries and departments and attended by a NATO delegation, led by Gebhardt von Moltke, assis- tant secretary general for political affairs. According to Khandohiy, the Ukrainian side was informed about the criteria and conditions for new countries’ admission to the alliance; in particular, about the future structure of NATO forces, "including the nuclear complex." Khandohiy said the issue of possible deployment of nuclear weapons on the territories of NATO’s new member states had not been discussed either. He said it was a hypothetical issue for the moment. However, the conversation with the NATO delegation made it clear that “nothing is ruled out when a country becomes a NATO member state." Replying to journalists’ questions, Gebhardt von Moltke said that “research on NATO's expansion" “outlines the trends of Ukraine’s participation with regard to its contribution to the European security." He said NATO was not making any preliminary demands on the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territories of NATO’s new member states. The assistant secretary general said NATO was not postponing the issue of admitting new members until 1997. Gebhardt von Moltke pointed tc the importance of consolidating security in cooperation with Russia, in order to prevent Europe from being divided into blocs. NATO Official on Nuclear Arms Deployment LD1310185895 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1639 GMT 13 Oct 95 {(FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, Oct 13 (Interfax - Ukraine) — NATO Secretary-General assistant Geb- hardt von Moltke told correspondents it is premature to discuss the issue of nuclear arms deployment in East European states which may become NATO mem- bers. He met with Deputy Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Khangody in Kiev Friday. Ukraine understands that admission of new NATO members does not necessarily result in nuclear arms depioyment on their territories, said the Deputy Minis- UKRAINE 69 ter. It is rather a hypothetical situation, but nothing is excluded, he added. Khandogy said the Ukrainian side listened with interest to the NATO official’s report on expansion of the alliance. "The only thing we did not discuss was who will join NATO and when,” he said. In his turn, von Moltke noted that documents coordi- nated by the leaders of NATO and Ukraine provide for cooperation in the Partnership for Peace program and outside it. This is a very important process because NATO places a high value on Ukrainian independence, he said. Admission of new members to NATO is a long and evolutionary process, said von Moltke. The NATO official is on a trip to East European and Commonwealth states to inform their leaders of NATO decisions on its expansion. Von Moltke visited Budapest Thursday. After his Kiev visit he will go to Warsaw. Udovenko, Kozyrev Talks Focus on Bosnia Crisis LD1410172895 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1558 GMT 14 Oct 95 {(FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, Oct 14 (Interfax - Ukraine) — A major part of the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers was dedicated to the crisis in the Balkans, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko told reporters on his return to Kiev after meeting his Russian counterpart Andrey Kozyrev in Moscow. "We discussed the present situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina and in particular we discussed if it is admissible that NATO assume a full responsibility for post-war settlement in Bosnia," Udovenko said. Udovenko said Kozyrev’s deputy Nikolay Afanasyevskiy would come to Kiev for more de- tailed talks on this issue. “Ukraine’s participation in the NATO peacekeeping operation in Bosnia is under question," Udovenko said. He said Ukraine had not been officially invited to participate in this operation. Udovenko said the financing of Ukraine’s participation in the peacekeeping operation was another serious problem. He said Ukraine was not capable of funding its peacekeeping activities in the former Yugoslavia on its own. "Unfortunately, from the financial point of view we even find it difficult to send there one journalist," he said. Nevertheless, Udovenko stressed that Ukraine did not want to end its participation in settlement in the Balkans. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 70 UKRAINE Udovenko: Yeltsin Need Not Visit Kiev To Sign Treaty LD1410174495 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1558 GMT 14 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, Oct 14 (Interfax - Ukraine) — “Ukraine does not insist on signing the general political treaty with Russia during the visit of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to Kiev. The treaty may be signed at a CIS summit,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko told reporters on his arrival from Moscow. Udovenko said Ukraine was interested in signing the treaty as soon as possible and “has taken a rather flexible stand regarding this problem.” Udovenko said he was satisfied with his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Andrey Kozyrev in Moscow on October 13. Udovenko said the two foreign ministers had discussed "to this or that extent" 36 problems regarding both bilateral relations and the international situation. He said he could describe the talks’ atmosphere as “very friendly.” "No scoops took place but we created a good atmos- phere for further talks concerning various problems,” Udovenko said. Kiev Insists BSF Issue Be Discussed by Experts LD1410174195 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1558 GMT 14 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, Oct 14 (Interfax - Ukraine) — Kiev insists that a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian prime ministers on the divi- sion of the Black Sea Fleet [BSF] be preceded by talks between teams of experts from both former So- viet republics, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko said on Friday. “We believe the experts should start by discussing two draft agreements that we have proposed,” Udovenko, who came to Moscow on Friday for a routine one- day visit, told reporters after meeting his Russian counterpart, Andrey Kozyrev. Russia wishes two draft accords — on proportions in which the fleet is to be divided and on the future status of the Russian part of the fleet on Ukrainian territory — to be prepared for signing. The documents are based on an agreement made by the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, Leonid Kuchma and Boris Yeltsin, in Sochi on June 8. Ukraine, however, insists on signing them together with two other accords, to indicate deployment sites for the FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Russian fleet in Sevastopol and lay down procedures for funding the fleet. Kozyrev, at his meeting with Udovenko, expressed the hope that the two premiers would meet to deal with the matter “in the immediate future." BSF Reconnaissance Vessels To Be Transferred to Russia LD1310170395 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1327 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Transcribed Text] Sevastopol, October 13 (Inter- fax - Ukraine) — Reconnaissance vessels of the Black Sea Fleet [BSF] will be withdrawn this December from the Mirnyy base of the Dunuzlav garrison (140 km from Sevastopol) to Sevastopol for their further relocation to Temriuk (the Russian Federation), "IF-U" was told by a source close to the BSF headquarters. According to the source, a cut in the number of that type of vessels is also planned in Sevastopol. According to experts, no unit has been phased out in the BSF reconnaissance numbering around two thousand men. The source also recalled that, under the Treaty on conventional arms in Europe, the 810-th special brigade of the BSF marines shall be phased out from Sevastopol by November 15. But, he says, “preparatory work for the withdrawal has not been started yet". Moroz Discusses Ukraine’s Entry to CIS Assembly LD1410140795 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1050 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Kiey — The Supreme Council will debate next week on Ukraine’s entry to the CIS Interpaliamentary Assembly, parliament speaker Olek- sandr Moroz told UNIAN on 13 October. He said the parliament would discuss the issue "in accordance with the established procedure." Deputies “will receive in- formation on the subject and then decide how they will react to this project,” Moroz said. "In general, conceptual terms, Ukraine’s entry to the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly should be regarded as the next step on its way towards membership in international institutions,” he added. Hungarian Speaker Addresses Supreme Council on Cooperation LD1310174595 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1230 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Kiev — Ukraine can further rely on cooperation with Hungary and the Hungarian parlia- This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 ment ‘at international forums, Zoltan Gala, speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, said when address- ing the Supreme Council of Ukraine. He believes that the Ukrainian parliament "is determined to follow the recommendations put forward during the admission of the country to the Council of Europe." Gala also said that the aim of his visit to Ukraine was to further consolidate relations of friendship between the two nations. He emphasized that “similar restructuring processes” are taking place in Ukraine and Hungary, and the two countries’ common task is to join worldwide po- litical and economic processes. Gala believes that both countries’ efforts aimed at setting up joint ventures and a special economic zone are also important. This will promote both states’ aspiration for European integration, Gala believes. Speaker Hoping For Ukraine’s CE Admission LD1310203095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1852 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] KIEV, Oct 13 (Interfax - Ukraine) — Hungarian National Assembly’s Speaker Zoltan Gala expressed hope that CE’s [Council of Europe] Council of Ministers would approve at its session scheduled for November 9 the decision made by its Parliamentary Assembly on Ukraine’s accession to the organization. Speaking to Ukrainian lawmakers this morning he underscored the importance of Ukraine’s and Hungary’s integration into the European community. He declared in favor of broadening bilateral cooperation between the two nations, specifically, of the creation of joint ventures. National Affairs Moroz Denies Inability To Cooperate With President LD1410163595 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1050 GMT 14 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Text] Kiev — "The Supreme Council has more than once demonstrated its ability to cooperate both with the government and the president, and it intends to do so," Supreme Council Speaker Oleksandr Moroz told journalists today. Earlier, President Leonid Kuchma said there could be “no cooperation" on his part with the “Supreme Council majority." The president made this statement after the Supreme Council voted to raise the low-income threshold to 4.8 million karbovantsi a month, exceeding the allowed budget margin. UKRAINE 71 Moroz said the Supreme Council was acting in support of the president who had spoken more than once about the need to provide for minimum subsistence. "The established poverty line is the line beyond which a person cannot survive,” the speaker said. He said it was up to the government to implement the new decision, but the Supreme Council was ready to suggest ways. Ukraine’s Labor Minister Mykhaylo Kaskevych told a Supreme Council session that the implementation of the new low-income threshold will require an emission of 6 trillion karbovantsi, which will cause prices to treble by the end of the year and bring the annual rate of inflation to 552 percent. Moroz dismissed the figures as “not true" and “exaggerated.” State Commission Changes Kiev’s Spelling to Kyiv LD1410175795 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1600 GMT 14 Oct 95 {(FBIS Translated Text] Kiev [no date as received] — The Ukrainian commission for issues of legal termi- nology, chaired by Ukraine’s Minister of Justice Serhiy Holovatyy, held its first sitting on 14 October, the above commission has told UNIAN. The participants in the sitting approved the rules of procedure and set up expert and working groups to Cafry out an examination of the new draft constitution of Ukraine as well as draft civil, criminal, and other codes. A working group has been formed to standardize translations of the Council of Europe documents. The commission concluded that the word Kiev does not reflect the phonetic and graphic specific features of the Ukrainian toponym Kyyiv and approved a decision that the toponym Kiev should be rendered in Roman letters as Kyiv. The above norm is compulsory for the use [of the word Kyiv] in legal and official acts. Government Opposes Resolution on Subsistence Level LD1310194995 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1741 GMT 13 Oct 95 (Frem the "Presidential Bulletin" feature: compiled by Nikolay Zherebtsov and Andrey Petrovskiy, edited by Vladimir Shishlin]} {[FBIS Transcribed Text] The government will not comply with a parliamentary resolution on the new subsistence level because of a lack of funds, President Leonid Kuchma told a meeting of youth representatives in Kiev on Thursday. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 72 UKRAINE (The Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, meeting on Thursday, set the new poverty line at a monthly 4.8 million karbovantsy (about $27) — IF). Kuchma said an extra 500 trillion karbovantsy would have to be raised to carry out the resolution. He was surprised that the Rada had approved an in- flationary resoiution after accepting the government- proposed plan for macroeconomic stabilization. Kuchma said there could be no cooperation with such a parlia- ment though not implying the whole of it. Kuchma warned against renewed populist measures such as huge borrowing and money printing leading to rising inflation and falling living standards. EBRD Proposes Alternatives to Chernobyl Power Plant AU1310151795 Duesseldorf HANDELSBLATT in German 12 Oct 95 p8 [Report by "jow": "Kiev to Reorganize Energy Supply) (FBIS Translated Text] Kiev, 11 October — The future of the Chernobyl! nuclear power plant continues to be a controversial issue between Ukraine and its partners in the West. Ukraine points out that it cannot do with- out the energy produced in Chernobyl! without receiving appropriate compensation. A German government del- egation is currently trying to convince the government of the CIS republic of the necessity of closing down the plant. Germany seems to be prepared to provide ad- ditional means for technical assistance to achieve this aim. The German delegation is planning to meet with President Leonid Kuchma and Prime Miiiister Yevheniy Marchuk. A study by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has become known in Kiev, which suggests that the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant could be compensated for by moderniz- ing the existing Ukrainian power plants. The study thus agrees with the proposals of Siemens AG on moderniz- ing the existing coal power plants, rather than the plans of competitor ABB Asea Brown Boveri AG, which wants to establish a new combined gas plant near Cher- noby!. In an interview with HANDELSBLATT, the head of the EBRD office in Kiev, Yaroslav Kinach, said that he considers the Siemens concept "much better, econom- ical, and logical" than the proposals by ABB. "Why should Ukraine build another colossus that the country cannot afford," Kinach said. The ABB suggestion of a gas power plant would also worsen Ukraine’s foreign trade balance, since additional natural gas would have to be imported from Russia. Kinach does not like the FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 idea of a nuclear alternative to Chernobyl either: “Fol- lowing the problems in the Slovak Republic, the EBRD is not interested in financing nuclear power plants in Ukraine.” The EBRD is playing an important role as mediator in the talks between Ukraine and its partner states. Also, the seven leading industrial states (G-7) and the OECD have a special account with the EBRD for nuclear safety in eastern Europe. According to Kinach, the EBRD has commissioned experts to examine all power plants in Ukraine as to their condition and development potential. The outcome shows that Ukraine has sufficient energy potential to implement a “minimum cost alternative:" Investment in the modernization of coal power plants, hydroelectric plants, and district heating plants on the supply side, and energy consumption programs on the users’ side. This program could strongly reduce companies’ energy consumption and would make energy consumption measurable direct at the consumers’ end, thus making them more aware of it. "People have to see what they are using and pay for it," Kinach said. At least partial privatization and opening it to foreign investors would certainly be conducive to a reform of the energy industry. Kinach says that beside Siemens AG Canadian firms have made proposals for modernizing the conventional energy industry. Private Canadian energy producer Northland Power Ltd. thus wants to invest in a modern district heating plant near Kiev. The United States also sees some potential in hydroelectric power: Ukrainian Prime Minister Yevheniy Marchuk has brought a new credit line of the U.S. Eximbank back from his visit to the United States for modernizing hydroelectric power plants. Chernoby! Closure Discussed With G-7 Experts LD1310151295 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1850 GMT 13 Oct 95 [FBIS Translated Text) Kiev, 12 Oct — Experts from Ukraine and the G-7 countries have ended a round of talks on the closure of Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the plant’s representatives told UNIAN. The two sides discussed specific projects to be included into an agreement between Ukraine and the G-7 on cooperation in the decommissioning of Chernobyl power units. The main project considered was the G-7 proposal to compensate the loss of Chernobyl’s capacity by mod- ernizing thermal power stations. Ukraine’s earlier pro- posal to replace Chernobyl nuclear power station with a steam-powered or other thermal station was not con- sidered. Most of the mutually agreed points concerned This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and disseminaticn is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 the ways of reforming thermal power engineering in Ukraine. Ukrainian representatives proposed a four-stage process of decommissioning the Chernobyl nuclear power sta- tion. The first stage, to be completed by the year 2000, would include project preparation, the construction of a new nuclear waste repository and the establishment of a centre for nuclear waste disposal. In the second stage, until 2003, power units would be phased out and nu- clear fuel removed. The third stage would cover the de- contamination of equipment, by 2004, while the fourth would deal with the conservation of power units, by 2006. All power units would be completely nuclear-safe by 2016. Following this schedule, Ukraine proposed a joint action plan to fund the projects. The results of the talks will be summed up after a meeting with G-7 representatives at the political level in early November, Nur Nihmatulin, deputy chairman of the State Committee for the Use of Nuclear Power, said. Nuclear Waste Depository To Be Built at Chernobyl LD1310203495 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1852 GMT 13 Oct 95 [FBIS Transcribed Text] ENERGODAR, Oct 13 (Inter- fax - Ukraine) — The Ukrainian government will soon discuss the nuclear waste depository construction pro- gram, head of the Ukrainian State Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy (Goskomatom) Mikhail Umanets told journalists in Energodar (Zaporozhye region) Friday. The program drafted by Goskomatom has already been presented to the government, he said. The issue of where to build the depository has been resolved by life itself: 95-96 percent of all nuclear waste is concentrated in the area around the Chernobyl] nuclear power plant, said Umanets. "We will not transport 95 percent of nuclear waste anywhere, that is why we will have to build the depository in Chernobyl,” he said. According to the Goskomatom head, the fifth and sixth reactors of the Chernobyl plant, to be closed down, can serve as a good basis for such a depository. Zaporozhskaya Plant To Increase Generating Capacity LD1310165995 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1327 GMT 13 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] Zaporizhzhiya, October 13 (Interfax - Ukraine) — A meeting of the government trial board for commissioning the 6-th power unit at UKRAINE 73 the Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant [NPP] decided yesterday to increase its generating capacity 12 per cent up on the rated one. On October 6, the sixth power unit of the NPP was experimentally put into operation. Its power installation was put to the minimum controlled level. As an "IF-U" correspondent reports, the committee is to hold its regular meeting on Friday. They are expected to permit a 40 percent increase in the unit’s generating Capacity. The sixth power unit is to be switched on to the network of Ukraine’s power grid. Economic Issues Marchuk Calls For ‘Serious’ Foreign Investment LD1310195495 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1741 GMT 13 Oct 95 [From the “Presidential Bulletin" feature: compiled by Nikolay Zherebtsov, Andrey Petrovskiy, and edited by Vladimir Shishlin} ([FBIS Transcribed Text] The government is interested in attracting foreign investment needed for the country’s economic recovery, Prime Minister Yevheniy Marchuk believes. Speaking in Kiev on Thursday, he said nothing short of serious foreign investment could help Ukraine get out of crisis. Marchuk pledged commitment to cooperation with in- ternational financiers but not at the cost of the nation’s wealth. Although the country’s foreign debt runs at $8.8 billion, the prime minister is sure that Ukraine needs further tens of billions of dollars to reform its energy sector, create a full cycle of nuclear fuel production and changes to its agro-industrial complex. On G-7 talks dealing with the question of a possible closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Marchuk spoke of signs of progress after a setback caused by uncertainty in Kiev’s position before. He said the government had now formed a uniform Chernoby! policy. Although Marchuk said the government knew of how much G-7 states were prepared to allocate to get Chernoby! shut down, he did not elaborate. IF Note: In the meantime, general director of the Chernobyl plant Sergey Parashin said that G-7 must send a higher level delegation to decide on the question of the plant closure. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 74 UKRAINE Parashin spoke of having met US Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary during a recent visit to Washington to attend the world economic congress who promised to ask President Bill Clinton for greater US involvement in resolving the Chernoby! issue. On gas imports from Russia in 1996, Marchuk expressed the hope that an appropriate agreement would be signed. He said negotiation was under way but it was very hard. Marchuk said that a presidential decree would be issued soon on government subsidies to household gas consumers, but the industries would have to import gas under direct contracts with Russia’s Gazprom and Turkmenistan. He said professional go-betweens would be appointed by the government to ensure such supplies. On the whole, Marchuk said, Ukraine will continue to depend on gas imports from Russia in the next few years though Kiev was looking for alternative sources of energy imports. Cabinet Criticizes Parliament’s Low-Income Threshold LD1310214895 Kiev UT-1 Television Network in Ukrainian 1900 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Today we received the text of a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. It says: On 12 October 1995, the Supreme Council of Ukraine passed a resolution establishing a new level of the low- income threshold. Unfortunately, the attempt to take this decision is nothing else but a purely populist move. Its implementation will definitely lead to disastrous consequences in the economy and a further decline in the living standards of the population. The thing is that there exist no sources to provide for the implementation of the resointion other than those leading to higher inflation and additional emissi~: According to calculations made, a minimum increase in payments from the budget alone will require an ad- ditional 230 trillion karbovantsy per month in order to implement the resolution. Meanwhile, the budget rev- enue in August amounted to as little as approximately 220 trillion karbovantsy. In such a situation, the overall monthly budget spending will exceed the budget rev- enue by 150 percent. The existing funds are enough to pay just one in every three citizens who receive wages, pensions, or budget allowances. The above decision can only be implemented at the expense of the emission by the end of the year [1995] to the value of 590 trillion karbovantsy, which exceeds by 160 percent the volume FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 of the emission over the last nine months. Moreover, by the end of the year [1995], consumer prices will grow by 180 percent, or approximately 40 percent per month on average. As early as November, real incomes of the population will decrease by 20 percent. People with low incomes will be affected most of all, because prices for the vital consumer goods will be growing at a higher rate. The situation at self-supporting enterprises will also be sharply aggravated. At present, they owe about 30 trillion karbovantsy to their employees. Meanwhile, the establishment of the minimum wage at a level of 4.8 billion karbovantsy will lead to a significant growth in prices for their products or in a dismissal of about 40 percent of employees. There will be another recession, the financial situation of enterprises and the payments crisis will be sharply aggravated. These actions by the Supreme Council will not contribute to the social protection of our compatriots in real terms; moreover, they will lead to their further impoverishment, upset the economic balance, trigger another wave of inflation, undermine the karbovanets exchange rate and bring the country into a very difficult situation at a time when preparations for the winter season are under way. The above negative phenomena are not just experts’ forecast — unfortunately, the negative experience of the past also proves this. Populism should not be allowed to inflict new losses on people. One can hardly imagine that the Supreme Council leadership — which submitted the issue for the consideration of parliament without coordinating it with the Cabinet of Ministers and without taking into consideration the government's position during the debate — is unaware of this. The decision runs counter to the government's program approved by parliament the day before and to the law of Ukraine on the state budget of Ukraine for 1995. The government declares that it will pursue unswerv- ingly the poiicy of social support to the population and take measures toward that end outlined in the govern- ment’s program, which was approved by parliament. For example, since 1 October this year, the government has increased by 22 percent pensions, grants, social benefits, and wages in the budget-supported sphere. It is envisaged to grant one-off aid to some categories of the population to buy fuel and meet other needs connected with preparations for the winter season. The government believes that the resolution by the Supreme Council of Ukraine on the low-income threshold is economically unfounded and impossible to implement. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers appeals to the Supreme Council and to the people’s deputies of Ukraine to revise the issue, with government representatives taking part in This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 the debate on a compulsory basis, in order to prevent another economic shock, and to find, in cooperation with the Cabinet of Ministers, realistic ways of providing social support to the population of Ukraine. Parliament Sets Higher Poverty Level WS1310114795 Kiev INTELNEWS in English 0139 GMT 13 Oct 95 {Report by Oksana Hasiuk] (FBIS Transcribed Text] Kiev, Oct. 12 — Parliament Thursday [12 October] set a new poverty level for Ukrainians, at KBV4.8 [karbovantski] million, or about US$ 27 a month. The former level was less than half that amount, or KBV2.1 million. The national legislature ordered the government to carry all the costs of the new poverty level without raising the budget deficit or borrowing money. The government has to figure out how to do this by Nov. 1, or the resolution will go into effect automatically and raise pensions and stipends of millions of Ukrainian poor people. Yuriy Buzduhan, who heads the Social Protection Committee in Parliament, said that the real poverty level should be nearer to KBV7 million, or about US$ 40. He said his committee found that "the average Ukrainian family spends at least 60 percent of its money on food.” The Parliament resolution would also raise Ukraine's minimum wage, which is the lowest in the world, to meet the new poverty level. Labor Minister Mykhailo Kaskevich said the “Thursday decision will cause prices to double or triple in Decem- ber” because the government lacks the money to pay it. The labor minister also said that the Parliament vote would practically destroy the government program the Rada [parliament] passed Wednesday, because of the high spending it would cause. Deputy Premier Specifies Gas Purchases for 1996 WS1610101895 Lvov INFOBANK in English 0730 GMT 16 Oct 95 (From the “News Service” feature] {[FBIS Transcribed Text] Dnepropetrovsk. On 12 October, First Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko spoke at the session of the Dnepropetrovsk Regional Council. He said the Ukrainian government decided to purchase from Russia only 12 billion cubic meters of gas in 1996. Lazarenko stated that this volume of gas in addition to 18 billion cubic meters of domestic gas will suffice to provide fuel to UKRAINE 75 socio-domestic sector and residential sector. The First Vice Prime Minister added that enterprises will have to contract independently or through intermediaries for supplies of gas with the Russian joint stock company Gazprom ("Gas Industry"). Payments Crisis Said Not Caused by Assets Shortage LD1510114095 Kiev UNIAN in Ukrainian 1520 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Kiev, 14 Oct (UNIAN) — Vik- tor Lysytskyy, macroeconomic adviser to the chairman of the board of the National Bank of Ukraine told UNIAN: "One should not believe that the payments cri- sis in Ukraine has been caused by the shortage of enter- prises’ circulating assets. The National Bank has made calculations which prove that Ukraine's enterprises have enough funds to settle accounts with their trading part- ners.” In the first six months of 1995, the circulating assets of enterprises, excluding banks, grew by 2 quadi.llion karbovantsi. The growth rate in the first six months of 1995 amounted to 228 percent and was higher than the rate of inflation in the same period — 184.9 percent (the National Bank estimates enterprises’ circulating assets on a six month basis). According to the latest calculations, enterprises made a profit of 585 trillion 0 (excluding banks, joint ventures, small businesses, and cooperative societies). Of this sum 84 trillion karbovantsi were spent as incentives (14.3 percent of the profit) and 68 trillion karbovantsi were spent for other purposes (11.7 percent of the profit). Lysytskyy believes the money could be used to settle enterprises’ credit indebtedness. In this case the state budget would receive 15 trillion karbonvantsi in value- added tax and excise duty. In the adviser’s opinion, enterprises are overpricing their products. He believes the allegations that Ukraine's industry is unprofitable do not correspond to reality. According to National Bank of Ukraine calculations, the profitability of the food industry is 39.6 percent, the clothes-making industry 30.7 percent, the machine- building and metal-working industries 28.6 percent, and the gas industry 35.2 percent. According to Lysytskyy, enterprises should decrease their profitability by 10 to 15 percent in order to make prices competitive. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 16 UKRAINE Communists Criticize Government’s Economic Program LD1410220295 Kiev Radio Ukraine World Service in Ukrainian 2000 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Kiev [no date as received] — The Central Committee and the Central Auditing Com- mission of the Communist Party of Ukraine [CPU] held a joint plenum on 14 October. The plenum addressed two main issues: The attitude of the Communist Party of Ukraine to the government’s program of action and the activities of the party organizations in connection with the initiative of the presidium of the CPU Central Committee to bring a draft constitution of Ukraine up for nationwide discussion. In its resolution, approved on first reading, the plenum pointed out that the government’s program of action continues the policy of total privatization, liberalization of prices and foreign trade, as well as the introduction of private land ownership. This policy will lower the living FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 standards of the population and destroy the system of social guarantecs. The plenum approved of the activities by the [Com- munist] faction in parliament. A decision was taken to render practical assistance to the All-Ukrainian Union of Workers in preparing and staging a mass protest ac- tion on 25 October. A resolution on the second issue, which was approved on second reading, obliges all party organizations to launch a large-scale propaganda campaign in order to familiarize all working people with the draft constitution submitted to the Supreme Council by the Communists, to systematize remarks and send them to the Constitu- tional Commission of Ukraine and to the CPU Central Committee by 1 November. After the initiative groups are registered by the Central Electoral Commission, a collection of signatures for holding a referendum on the above draft constitution will be organized. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Belarus Lukashenka Orders Resumed Dismantling of Military Armor LD1310154095 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1424 GMT 13 Oct 95 [By Leonid Tratsevskiy] {FBIS Transcribed Text) MINSK, October 13 (Itar- Tass) - The scrapping of armour, which was suspended due to money shortage, was resumed on October 15 [as received], after a lengthy break, at a tank-repair plant in Borisov on decison of Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. An inspection team, including eight U.S. military ex- perts, one Italian and one German representative, arrived in the Belarus Republic today in keeping with the In- ternational Agreement on Conventional Armaments in Europe. The NATO military inspection will record the beginning of the planned period of amraments reduc- tion. President Lukashenka, who visited the Borisov tank- repair plant the day before, noted that “the Belarus Republic was scrupulously fulfilling its international disarmament commitments”. The Head of the Belarus State said that the republic was resuming at its own expense the costly process of scrapping tanks and armoured personnel carriers. The President pointed out that the destruction of armour would be done in strict compliance with the terms of the International Agreement on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, given western assistance to this effort. U.S. Experts Check Resumption of Arms Destruction WS1610103595 Minsk BELAPAN in English 0805 GMT 16 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] On 13 October, a group of American military experts arrived in Belarus to visit the 140th repair works of the Ministry of Defense in Barysaw, which resumes the destruction of military equipment in excess of the limits specified in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe [CFE] Treaty. The experts will verify the availability and readiness of the equipment Belarus declared for destruction during the first calendar period after the Republic resumed the fultiliment of its commitments under the CFE Treaty. As a BELAPAN correspondent was informed at the Ministry of Defense press-office, this calendar period will last until 14 December. Within these two months, the Barysaw works is to destroy 137 tanks and 142 armored combat vehicles. WESTERN REGION 77 Russian Officers Said To Commit Abuses in Bykhovo Garrison LD1410135995 Moscow Radiostantsiya Ekho Moskvy in Russian 1300 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text] Serious cases of abuse by high- ranking Russian military officers have been discovered at the former Soviet naval aviation garrison in the Belarusian town of Bykhovo. Over ten pieces of military equipment disappeared during the transfer of military property of the Russian garrison of former long-range naval aviation to the local authorities in Bykhovo, Belarus. Abuses on the part of high-ranking Russian military officers in relation to apartments and property have been exposed. Only 300 servicemen, whose numbers will soon be reduced by a third, now remain at the naval aviation garrison at Bykhovo. Replying to a question over the telephone about details about incidents of abuse by high-ranking Russian military officers in Belarus, one of the heads of the president’s control service first said that he knew nothing. However, later he threatened to set the KGB on the correspondent since such facts were on the whole not only true but were considered to be secret. And this meant, above all, that they were hiding a lot. This is Aleksandr Stupnikov in Minsk, Belarus. Chyhir: Economy ‘May Not Stand’ Increase in Wages WS1310115695 Minsk BELAPAN in English 0806 GMT 11 Oct 95 ([FBIS Transcribed Text] At the present time an increase in the minimum monthly wage rate is not expedient, though this point has been discussed by the Cabinet and the Presidential Administration for a long time, Prime Minister Mikhail Chyhir said at the October 9 government press conference. According to him, this year wages rose more quickly than prices for consumer goods, and an average monthly wage is approaching to the equivalent of 80 US Dollars. The economy may not stand the attempt to increase it, for instance, up to 100- 110 dollars. “In this case we will get the galloping inflation which was observed in the Republic not long ago”, the Prime Minister said. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination] is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 78 WESTERN REGION Constitutional Court Regards Supreme Soviet as Legitimate MK1310125795 Moscow SEGODNYA in Russian 12 Oct 95 pl {Report by Valentin Zhdanko: “The Constitutional Court of Belarus Has Recognized the Supreme Soviet as Legitimate") (FBIS Translated Text) Yesterday, the Constitutional Court of Belarus recognized the 12th convocation of the Supreme Soviet of that country as legitimate. After a five-hour discussion on this issue behind closed doors, the court ruled that the Supreme Soviet should remain the highest representative and legislative body until the Supreme Soviet of the 13th convocation holds its first session. For several months now, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been ruling the country by edicts that are in obvious contradiction to many of the active laws. In so doing, Mr. Lukashenka refers to the fact that the Supreme Soviet has exceeded the term of its office and, hence, the laws passed by it are not binding. After the Constitutional Court declared one of the pres- idential edicts — a key document dealing with adjust- ments to the state budget — as unconstitutional, some high-ranking officials insisted that the Constitutional Court initiate a case of illegitimacy against the par- liament itself as a legislative body. Had the Constitu- tional Court agreed on the illegitimacy of the Belarusi2n Supreme Soviet, the president could have hardly been reproached for issuing edicts contradicting the Supreme Soviet’s acts. The pretext used was a clause in the Law on the Supreme Soviet, whereby the quorum for opening a session was specified as two-thirds of the elected deputies. Since over the past five years the number of parliamentarians has been gradually diminishing (some moved to the executive branch, others left the country), this resulted in a reduction in the Supreme Soviet's quorum. The claimants, however, insisted that the figure should remain unchanged; to their mind, the reference point should be the number of deputies elected in 1990. Meanwhile, there is no force in the republic that might be able to counteract the outrages committed by the ex- ecutive branch. On 11 October, for the first time, the country’s only independent daily newspaper, NAROD- NAYA VOLYA, did not appear. Tlie newspaper dared to criticize the president. As a result, the state-owned printing house where it was printed was instructed, with- Out previous notice, to cancel its contract with the edi- torial board. According to some information, the same lot awaits other publications soon, too. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 The presidential entourage could possibly regard the Constitutional Court's ruling as a serious affront. This, however, will hardly be able to alter the political balance in the republic. Indeed, the story of Mr. Lukashenka’s edict that was annulled by the Constitutional Court ended with Premier Mikhail Chyhir’s statement that he would be guided by the edict rather than by the court's ruling — for reasons of “economic expediency.” Social Democrats Statement Supports Independent TU WS1610112395 Minsk BELAPAN in English 0805 GMT 16 Oct 95 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] On 12 October, the executive committee of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Assem- bly [BSDH] made a statement in support of the Inde- pendent Trade Unions of Belarus. “Persecutions which are continuing to be applied to trade union leaders, the forced reregistration of trade unions in contradiction to the Law of the Republic of Belarus ‘On Trade Unions,’ all this is an illustration of the authorities’ desire to make the defenders of working people's rights keep silence,” the statement reads. The BSDH Executive Committee hopes that the Constitutional Court will unbiasedly ex- amine the President's Decree No. 336, and urges the Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Justice to strictly observe the laws currently in force, including the Law "On the Principles of Service in State Machinery” ac- cording to which state machinery employees must refuse to execute orders if they run counter to the Constitution and laws. The BSDH leadership also approved a letter by BSDH Chairman Mikalay Statkevich in which he had ex- pressed indignation over the infringement of the free- dom of expression, in particular, the right of the newspapers "NARODNAYA VOLYA,", "IMYA," and “BYELORUSSKAYA DELOVAYA GAZETA" to the coverage of events in the country. Moldova Snegur: Orientation Toward ‘Western Values’ AU1410163795 Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE in German 13 Oct 95 p5 [Report by "C.G.": "“Snegur: Moldova Looking For Close Relations With West Europe"] {[FBIS Translated Text] Bonn, 12 Oct — After talks with Chancellor Kohl and Foreign Minister Kinkel, Moldovan President Snegur said on Thursday [12 Octo- ber] that relations with Russia have priority for Moldova over those with Romania and Ukraine. As an “economic member of the CIS,” Moldova is, at the same time, This report may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 orienting itself toward "Western values in politics and economy.” The partnership agreement with the EU and the "Partnership for Peace” with NATO should ensure Moldova's stability. Moldova does not want to become a member of a military blocs nor agree to the stationing of foreign troops. "A multilateral analysis with a view to NATO expansion would be appropriate, in particular taking the Russian component into consideration.” Kohl and Kinkel promised to support Moldova in the OSCE and in the efforts for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria, Snegur said. Moldova wants a peace- ful settlement of the conflict, he stressed. Snegur, Kohl Sign Agreement To Promote Relations AU1410183895 Chisinau INFOTAG in English 1930 GMT 12 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] Chisinau, October 12 (INFO- TAG) — Moldovan President Mircea Snegur and Ger- man Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl signed the Dec- laration on the Relationship Principles between the two nations in Bonn last Wednesday [11 October]. According to the presidential press service, both coun- tries have undertook to develop bilateral relations on the basis of principles of international law, recognition of equality of rights, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of boundaries, human rights, including na- tional minorities’ rights. Answering the chancellor's question about the per- spectives of Russian troops withdrawal from the Moldovan territory, Mircea Snegur has pointed out that the Moldovan administration has been finding understanding with the Russian president and prime minister. However, there are conservative forces in the State Duma which back the Tiraspol authorities in their attempts to establish an independent state in the Moldova's eastern districts. Currently, a new Moldovan-Russian summit is being prepared. It will be dedicated to discussing the differ- ences pertaining to the Dniester Region. Snegur ex- pressed satisfaction that the Russian Federation had ceased rendering assistance to the Tiraspol leaders and builds relationship with Moldovan in a centralized way, through legitimate power bodies in Chisinau. Chancellor Kohl has assured his Moidovan counterpart that the republic can count on Germany's support in international organizations. Besides the basic declaration, the sides signed agree- ments on cultural cooperation, on taking care over the German soldiers’ graves on the Moldovan territory, on international automotive transportation of goods and passengers. WESTERN REGION 79 At his meeting with the German minister of foreign affairs Klaus Kinkel, Snegur informed him on the priorities in the Moldovan foreign policy. The Moldovan president expressed readiness to back Germany in its becoming a member of the UN Security Council, and in making German one of the working languages in the Council of Europe. In Kinkel’s words, the Dniester settlement is important not only for Moldova but for the entire Europe, and Germany is ready to render every assistance to Chisinau in resolving the problem, particularly in the OSCE framework. He said, Germany is ready to stand up for giving a developing nation status to Moldova, which will allow Chisinau to obtain credits from developed industrial countries. On Thursday, President Snegur met with leaders of the Bundestag, Federal Ministry of Finance, German Confederation of Chambers for Trade and Industry, and the Dresdner Bank. Mircea Snegur answered journalists’ questions at a press conference in Bonn. Dniester Leader Says Chisinau Against Constructive Talks LD1310205595 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1927 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Transcribed Text} TIRASPOL, Moldova, Oct 13 (Interfax) — Leader of Moldova’s separatist region of Transdniester Igor Smirnov on Friday accused the Moldovan government of unwillingness to start con- structive negotiations with his government, his media spokeswoman said. Yelena Yefimova told Interfax Smirnov, president of the unilaterally proclaimed Transdniester Moldovan Republic, made the statement at a meeting with the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Moldova. Smirnov said Moldovan President Mircea Snegur re- fused to recognize Transdniester’s "statehood" and in- sisted that the region remain part of Moldova, Yefimova said. She said Smirnov had called for the "concretization" of a peace and security accord the breakaway region signed with Moldova last July and for signing an agreement on confidence-building measures. He also said signing agreements was senseless without a procedure to mon- itor them. Yefimova said that Moldovan and Transdniester leaders are next due to meet after December 20. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination| is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 80 WESTERN REGION Snegur Asks Smirnov To Free Arrested Policemen AUI1510155495 Chisinau BASAPRESS in English 1930 GMT 12 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] Chisinau 12/10/1995 (BASA- press) — Moldovan President Mircea Snegur demanded that police officers Vitali Landyrev and Ivan Josan, ar- rested three weeks ago by Tiraspol secret services, be re- leased. "It is obvious that the arrest will deepen the con- flict which we are trying to settle," a letter by President Snegur to the Dniester leader Igor Smirnov reads. The letter was made public yesterday by the Tiraspol radio. It says that if the police officers committed certain of- fences, they should be sued by Moldovan constitutional organs, as they are Moldovan citizens. Snegur stressed FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 that the Moldovan policemen have been charged with lame accusations. The arrest of Vitali Landyrev and Ivan Josan is qualified as “purposeful provocation.” Tiraspol radio broadcasted yesterday the answer of Igor Smirnov, who refused to release the officers or hand them over to Moldovan constitutional organs. Smirnov stressed in his letter that the charges against the officers are grounded. Smirnov will order the Dniester delegation to the Joint Control Commission (CMC) to touch upon the question of withdrawal of the police commissariat that employed the two arrested. CMC representatives told BASA-press the activity of Tighina (Bender) Police Commissariat is regulated by the Moldovan-Russian agreement of July 22, 1992 signed by Presidents Snegur and Yeltsin. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 user 1995 Kazakhstan Russians, Kazakhs To Have Joint Border Patrols LD1510163695 Almaty KARABAN-BLITZ in Russian 11 Oct 95 p2 (FBIS Translated Text] Within the framework of the in- terstate agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation "On joint efforts to protect the CIS countries’ outer borders,” Russian and Kazakh officers and frontier guards will perform joint service on Kazakh outposts. Major General Vladislav Prohoda has been appointed commander in chief of the group of troops. You will be able to read an interview with the commander — who by the way was born in Kazakhstan — in a future issue of KARAVAN-BLITZ. President Reorganizes Media Authorities LD1410190295 Almaty Kazakh Television First Program Network in Kazakh 1500 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Text) President Nursultan Nazarbayev today issued an edict to make the following changes to the Law on Press and Mass Information, which carry the force of law: According to Article 1 of Chapter 7, state policy in the field of the press and mass information is implemented by a state body of the republic, which is formed, abolished, and reorganized by the president. With the aim of strengthening press freedom and imple- menting state support for newspapers, magazines, and book-printing, the Ministry of Press and Mass Informa- tion has been abolished By a presidential edict, and the National Agency for Press and Mass Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been formed. By an edict of the president of the Republic of Kaza- khstan, Altynbek Sarsenbayevich Sarsenbayev, who was hitherto minister of press and mass information, has been appointed chairman of the National Agency for Press and Mass Information of the republic. In order to deepen democratic processes and the pro- vision of objective information to the citizens of the r olic about the political, economic, social, and cul- tural life of the country, to grant citizens their consti- tutional rights to freedom of speech, and to implement public control over the state mass media, an Observa- tion Council on the State Mass Media has been set up under the president. CENTRAL ASIA 81 Kyrgyzstan Bolshakov, Russian Delegation Arrive on Visit Akayev Receives Visiting Delegation LD1310121495 Bishkek Kyrgyz Radio First Program Network in Russian 0600 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Excerpt] Yesterday a Russian delega- tion led by Aleksey Bolshakov, deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation, arrived in our republic. The program of the Russian delegation’s visit to Kyrgyzstan includes a number of important events, such as the dele- gation head being received by President Askar Akayev, visits to enterprises of the national economy, a visit to the Kyrgyz-Russian Slav University, and, of course, var- ious negotiations and the signing of documents. A news conference was held at which a high assessment was given to the results of the Russian delegation’s visit to Kyrgyzstan. The Russian delegation is to leave for home today immediately after arriving in Bishkek from Cholpon Ata. Summing up the results of the visit, I would like to note that the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to further strengthening and developing Kyrgyz-Russian cooperation. A number of very important documents were signed, which are aimed at deepening (?the cause) of integration in various spheres, including agreements on cooperation between Russian and Kyrgyz enterprises in protecting industrial property, on setting up joint financial industrial groups, on ensuring a common indexation of the Kyrgyz som and the Russian rouble, and others. [passage omitted] Akayev Receives Deputy Prime Minister LD1310195095 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1741 GMT 13 Oct 95 {From the "Presidential Bulletin" feature: compiled by Nikolay Zherebtsov, Andrey Petrovskiy, and edited by Viadimir Shishlin) {FBIS Transcribed Text] President Askar Akayev re- ceived from his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin on Thursday a message with proposals to expand and per- fect common border guarding cooperation. Reporting this to journalists in Bishkek on Friday, Akayev said that bilateral contacts in the field can become “a model for CIS as a whole.” The president felt it necessary to recall that after CIS formation Kyrgyzstan was the sole former Soviet republic to keep Russian border troops on its soil. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination 1s prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 82 CENTRAL ASIA IF Note: At a news conference in Bishkek on Wednes- day, Akayev actually supported Russia’s strategic course toward closer integration within CIS and ap- proved the decree issued by Yeltsin on September 14, noting that CIS should have common defense and commen borders. At that news conference, Akayev voiced his country’s firm support for a customs alliance within CIS. When Akayev and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Bolshakov met in Bishkek on Friday, they discussed urgent bilateral ties issues and prospects of economic cooperation between their countries. Bolshakov is in Kyrgyzstan on a working visit at the head of a Russian government delegation. On the same day, the sides signed a package of documents on bilateral ties, including an agreement on the basic principles of setting up financial and industrial groups, on cooperation in the field of industrial property protection, and on the use of Kyrgyzstan’s proper for settling accounts with Russia. They also signed a protocol on the formation of a customs union and a set of agreements on maintaining the Russian servicemen, serving in Kyrgyzstan. Bolshakov believes the signed documents create a legal basis for still closer cooperation between the two countries, above all economically. Bolshakov noted that the entire work of the sides in the field aims to draft a customs union agreement and put it into effect. Once such a document is adopted, “all far-fetched problems, above all the custom barriers, will be eliminated to pave the way for free commoaities exchange." Bolshakov regards as immensely important for the two countries an agreement to start joint production at enterprises of the former military industrial complex. He also reported that from now on part of Kyrgyz debts to Russia would be offset by shares of local industries, involving Russian investment. According to Bolshakov, there is a plan to draw up by the end of this year a list of enterprises capable of manufacturing competitive products, enjoying demand on the world market. That would be “for the mutual benefit of both sides." As part of its visit to Kyrgyzstan, the Russian delegation is to make a trip to that republic’s Issyk-Kul region, where it will visit a former munitions plant for the production of high precision torpedoes. Cooperation Agreements Signed LD1410172495 Bishkek Kyrgyz Radio First Program Network in Kyrgyz 0900 GMT 14 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text) The signing of a package of agreements On economic cooperation and documents on FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Kyrgyzstan’s joining the CIS customs union by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Apas Dzhumagulov and Aleksey Bol- shakov, a deputy chairman of the Russian Government took place on 13 October. The Kyrgyz and Russian delegations signed the fol- lowing documents: An agreement on the basic prin- ciples for forming financial and industrial groups; an agreement on cooperation in the sphere of protection of industrial property; an agreement on high-quality pro- duction supplied to the Russian and Kyrgyz Armed Forces; an agreement on medical provision for service- men and civilian personnel of military units of the Rus- sian Armed Forces on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and for their families; an agreement giving ships and vessels of the Russian Navy the right to use Lake Issyk-Kul; an agreement on organizing military interstate transporta- tion in the interests of the Defense Ministry and pay- ment for it; an agreement on use of state property of the Kyrgyz Republic for ensuring the settlement of ac- counts with the Russian Federation; a treaty on the legal status of citizens of Russia permanently resident in the Kyrgyz Republic and citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic permanently resident in the Russian Federation; and a protocol on the meeting of the government delegations of Russia and Kyrgyzstan on the issue of forming a cus- toms union. An agreement on jurisdiction over military units on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is being finalized. A package of agreements on Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the customs union and an agreement on air links and cooperation in the sphere of air transport were initialled. Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and delegation members were present at the signing ceremony. After the signing of the documents, Akayev and Bol- shakov answered corresponcents questions. Answering a question on the possibility of Kyrgyzstan’s joining the customs union, Bolshakov answered that it would be real by the end of this year. Speaking about exist- ing laws, President Akayev said that it was necessary for Kyrgyzstan to adopt a model civil code that wouid meet the norms of legislation of all the countries be- longing to the customs union. Yesterday the Russian Government delegation left for Cholpon Ata to study further working documents. President Akayev Launches Election Campaign LD1210163995 Bishkek KABAR in Russian 1330 GMT 12 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text] Bishkek, 12 Oct (KABAR) — President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev yesterday fired the starting pistol for the election marathon. His news This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohabited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 conference was broadcast after midnight on a local TV channel in place of a feature film. “Today I feel that I am president; I know the problems in all areas and ways to solve them," Akayev said. During his second term his main task will be to put into practice the strategy for the republic’s economic development which he put forward three years ago, to improve the people’s life further, to come closer to Russia and to reduce migration by the Russian-speaking population and, if journalists agree, he will schedule a referendum for election day on recognizing Russian as a State language on an equal footing with Kyrgyz. It is noteworthy that during the broadcast of the news conference, which lasted over two hours, only Askar Akayev was (@ screen; the journalists’ questions were broadcast in audio only. This morning, republican radio broadcast the news conference in full and the SLOVO KYRGYZSTANA newspaper is preparing a special issue. In brief, Kyrgyzstan’s first president has gained a head start on the other candidates for the presidency, who were already in an unenviable position because of the decision by the Central Electoral Commission. The Central Electoral Commission instructed presiden- tial candidates to collect 50,000 signatures in their sup- port... and with a regional breakdown proportionate to the number of voters there. Since this will have to be done not in their own area but also in “alien” terri- tory, this task will be beyond most of the candidates. This prompted a storm of indignation among deputies in the Legislative Assembly, who viewed it as evidence of the electoral commission exceeding its powers. Their protest could come into force if their decision is sup- ported by the parliament’s Assembly of People’s Rep- resentatives. Barring accidents, the official no: unation of candidates for the presidency will start on 20 October. Tajikistan CIS Peacekeeping Commander Defends Deployment of Brigade LD1310195595 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1741 GMT 13 Oct 95 [From the "Presidential Bulletin" feature: compiled by Nikolay Zherebtsov and Andrey Petrovskiy, edited by Viadimir Shishlin) {FBIS Transcribed Text] The commander of a collective Commonwealth of Independent States peacekeeping force in Tajikistan denied on Friday that deploying a Tajik army brigade in the Vakhsh Valley and the foothills of the Pamirs recently ordered by President Emomali Rakhmanov was a breach of a provisional CENTRAL ASIA 83 cease-fire signed between the Tajik government and opposition in Tehran. IF Note: The leader of the opposition Islamic Renais- sance Movement of Tajikistan, Said Abdullo Nuri, sent a letter to Rakhmanov on October 11, accusing him of blocking talks between the government and opposition and described the transfer of the First Special-Purpose Brigade from Kurgan-Tyube into the Vakhsh Valley and the Pamir foothills as an "inappropriate and hasty" act which violated the Tehran accord. The peacekeepers’ commander, Colonel General Valentin Bobryshev, told a news conference in Dushanbe that he saw the redeployment as no more than "a commensurate response by the Tajik leadership to what is being undertaken by the opposition.” He conceded, however, that moving the brigade had been “undesirable” and made the peacekeepers’ tasks "more difficult" in spite of the fact that "relevant statements” had been made before the redeployment was effected. While he expressed "concern" over the postponement of the next round of talks between government and op- position, which was due to start on September 18, Bo- bryshev argued that the main reason for the delay were “unacceptable” statements the opposition made during the last, fourth round, statements which "effectively dis- own everything the government of Tajikistan has done over the postwar years.” The general expressed the conviction, however, that the parties would resume their dialogue. The peacekeeping force is ready to assist the negotiation process "as far as its powers allow." Further on Bobryshev News Conference LD1310164395 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1323 GMT 13 Oct 95 {#BIS Transcribed Text} DUSHANBE, Oct 13 (Inter- fax) — Russia alone has honored its commitments to the collective peacekeeping force in Tajikistan, Colonel General Valentin Bobryshev, the force commander, said at a news conference in Dushanbe on the second an- niversary of the force’s formation. According to Bobryshev, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, other parties to the treaty on the force, sent in a battalion and a company, respectively, instead of a regiment each. He went on to say that Kazakhstan is represented by only two officers in the force headquarters who attend to the Kyrgyz battalion subordinated to the Russian border guards in Tajikistan. is report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners &4 CENTRAL ASIA Bobryshev said that in the two years of the force’s operation 75 peacekeeping soldiers have been killed. He said that the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border has significantly deteriorated. Bobryshev added that a band of about 250 fighters has moved inside Tajikistan from the Vanch district to the central part of the plateau area. Bobryshev did not rule out the possibility that his units could be involved in military operations in that area or on the border with Afghanistan if hostilities break out there. He said that this will require the political will of the heads of the states whose units make up the collective peacekeeping force. Opposition Forces Reject Russian Troop Commander’s ‘Lies’ LD1310161495 (Clandestine) Voice of Free Tajikistan in Tajik 0600 GMT 13 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text] Pavel Tarasenko, the comman- der of the Russian Border Troops in Tajikistan, has con- ducted a news conference in connection with the latest clashes on the Tajik-Afghan borders, which resulted in the loss of seven Russian soldiers. Tarasenko said that the Tajik-Afghan border is subject to violent attacks by the opposition forces and that more than 1,500 opposi- tion fighters have gathered on the border and are prepar- ing to attack. The armed authorities of the united oppo- sition forces of Tajikistan have described these words of the commander of the Russian Border Troops as lies and slander. The united military opposition forces of Tajikistan are not preparing to attack. All the forces are waiting the fifth round of negotiations and are ready for peace in the region. Opposition Figure Criticizes Russian Accusations LDi310173395 (Clandestine) Voice of Free Tajikista’ in Tajik 0600 GMT 13 Oct 95 [FBIS Translated Text] Professor Haji Akbar Turajon- zoda, the deputy leader of the united opposition forces of Tajikistan and leader of the delegation to the inter- Tajik talks, has condemned the statements and provoca- tions of the authorities of Russia and the Tajik regime. According to Prof. Turajonzoda, these statements and protests are unfounded. He said that he opposition lead- ers have not issued orders to open fire in the direction of the front jane; on the contrary, the leaders and mem- bers of the opposition forces are trying to hold peace talks, which have been under pressure, and to solve the problems by peaceful means. Concerning the political situation, the deputy leader of the united opposition forces of Tajiiustan demanded the establishment of a commission consisting of the UN FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 military observers and the peace delegations of both sides to consider this case and to find those behind it. It is vexing and suspicious, Prof. Haji Akbar Turajonzoda said, when Russian politicians and generals immediately announce without checking that the Islamic Movement of Tajikistan was behind this clash, and this is not the first time. Commander of Opposition Group Interviewed LD1310180995 {[FBIS Editorial Report] Moscow NTV in Russian at 1900 GMT on 12 October broadcasts a 10-minute in- terview by correspondent Yelena Masyuk with General Salam Mukhabbatov, supreme commander of the south- eastern front of the Islamic Rebirth Movement of Tajik- | istan. She said his headquarters were in Vanj in Gorno- Badakhshan, 16 km from Afghanistan. The correspon- dent describes the village "as the main base of the Tajik mojahedin.” “General Salam of the mojahedin is God and Czar here.... He was respected for his victory in hand-to-hand combat. That was in the times of the Soviet Union. Then Salam owned a store in Dushanbe and there is also information that he was a racketeer. When the war began he became a notable figure in the Pamir region and was the first upon whom the title of general was conferred by leader of the opposition Sayed Abdullo ~ Nuri. There are around 60,000 people under Salam now,” the correspondent says. “These are mainly lads who served when the Soviet Union was in existence,” the general says. “Salam does not hide the fact that his people underwent advanced combat training in Afghan camps. Nor does he hide the fact that the Tajik mojahedin do not have any problems as far as weapons go,” the correspondent says. “All the mountain people who served in the Min- istry of Internal Affairs, the KGB, the Ministry of De- fense...[pauses] Many of them left with their weapons, and we also bought them if we came upon them. | do not know how much they cost. I did not buy them my- self,” the general says. Asked if he was short of weapons, the General replies: “Of course not. Only we do not have any airplanes or helicopters.” “If the armed opposition does not yet have ar- mored equipment, the ordinary population of Gorno- Badakhshan do not have the elementary means of survival. The stores are empty. The Tajik Government gives practically nothing to Gorno-Badakhshan...on the is report may contain copy#ighted matenal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 whole, the mountain people’s hopes for survival lie with the Aga Khan...Vanj, like the whole of Tajikistan, is awaiting the next round of inter-Tajik talks and many mojahedin do not conceal the fact that they are fed up fighting and are prepared to make many concessions to ensure the success of the talks. Information has appeared in certain circles that Nuri, the leader of the Opposition, is intending to be removed from the talks." Haji Akbar Turajonzoda, one of the leaders who, in his view is drawing out the talks process, and it is said that Nuri is intending to do that at Salam from Vanj’s proposal. So, places in the political opposition today depend a great deal upon the mood of the armed mojahedin. Then the area of Vanj may be an important strategic place in future. The fact of the matter is that there are huge reserves of uranium ore in Vanj and of course with the frontier of Afghanistan being just a stone’s throw away a large stake is pinned on drugs. So control of Vanj will be of major significance, both militarily, politically, and economically, for a long time. Therefore Salam Mukhabbatov does not intend to leave the confines of Vanj even if the alignment of political forces in Dushanbe changes. Opposition Leader Returns From Talks in Iran, Pakistan LD1410163195 (Clandestine) Voice of Free Tajikistan in Tajik 0600 GMT 14 Oct 95 {[FBIS Translated Text] Professor Sayed Abdullo Nuri, the leader of the united Tajik opposition forces, arrived back at his residence in northern Afghanistan yesterday afternoon. During his official visit to Iran, Prof. Nuri met Ayatollah Khamen’i the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Iranian President "Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, and Iranian Foreign Minister ‘Ali Akbar Velayati. Prof. Nuri then went to Pakistan by official invitation of Pakistan's leadership. He met and had talks with Pakistan President Faroog Leghari, and some Pakistani ministry officials. On his return to Kabul, the leader of the united Tajik opposition forces held talks with the Afghan President Borhannodin Rabbani on the Tajik refugees in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan Cooperation Memorandum Signed With Tajikistan LD1310155495 Tashkent PRAVDA VOSTOKA in Russian 13 Oct 95 pl {FBIS Translated Text) A government delegation from Tajikistan, headed by First Deputy Prime Minister CENTRAL ASIA 85 Mahmadsaid Ubaydulloyev, visited Uzbekistan on 10- 11 October. During the talks which took place at the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the further development of all-round relations between the two countries was discussed. Measures directed toward the expansion of mutually beneficial economic cooperation and the creation of favorable conditions for developing direct ties between economic entities under all forms of ownership were defined. - The parties discussed the problems of strengthening regional security and joint action on ensuring the continuation of the inter- Tajik dialogue, with a view to achieving peace in Tajikistan as soon as possible. As a result of the visit, a memorandum on further deepening relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan was signed. The memorandum was signed by Ismail Jurabekov, first deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan, and Mr. Ubaydulloyev. Seminar on Preservation of Aral Sea Continues LD1410110295 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 0902 GMT 14 Oct 95 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Vilor Niyazmatov} {[FBIS Translated Text] Tashkent, 14 Oct — An inter- national seminar “Restoration of the Environment”, held under OSCE auspices, completed its work in Tashkent today. It was here where the seminar started its work last Tuesday and later the seminar continued its work in the town of Urgench in northern Uzbekistan. Those present at the seminar worked out guidelines, which, in their opinion, will help ta.draw the world community's attention to the ecological crisis in the Aral Sea area, which poses a serious danger not only to the inhabi- tants of the Central Asian states but also to European and Asian countries. Wilhelm Hoynck, Secretary-General of the OSCE, who attended the meeting, pointed out that we have to use additional arguments in favour of the support which is above all urgently needed for the Central Asian states. Scientists and experts pointed out with alarm in their speeches that a process of a sharp reduction in the size of ice fields is taking place at present. This can seriously influence the water resources of the Central Asian region and will aggravate the ecological crisis in the Aral Sea basin. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 86 CENTRAL ASIA Joint Christian-Muslim Conference Ends in Tashkent LD1310165595 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English 1435 GMT 13 Oct 95 [By Vilor Niyazmatov] [FBIS Transcribed Text} TASHKENT, October 13 (Itar- Tass) — “Under one sky" was the motto of the three-day international Christian-Moslem conference, which ended here today. It was attended by religious leaders from Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as a representative delegation from the World Council of Churches, under the aegis of which this religious forum was held. The purpose of the conference was to seek contacts between the Christian and Moslem religions, avoiding interference and dictate. The conference’s final document calls for peace, mutual understanding, concord among the believers, among all the nations of the world. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 “The forum was held in Central Asia," Archbishop of Tashkent and Central Asia Vladimir said, summing up the results of the conference. "This land is known for the feat of a holy man, honoured today by all the world religions. This upright man, known as Job among Christians and Ayub among Moslems, had lived there four thousand years ago. Wishing to test him, the Lord made him endure terrible sufferings. The man courageously withstood everything and did not betray his God. As a reward, the Lord restored al! the worldly blessings to him and, as we believe, gave him eternal happiness in heaven. The people of Central Asia honour to this day several Job springs. The hand of another famous saint, namely of Prophet Daniel, or Daniyar is still kept in Samarkand. Both Moslems and Christians pray to him." This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 Armenia Ter-Petrosyan To Address UN General Assembly NC1510213695 Yerevan NOYAN TAPAN in English 1639 GMT 15 Oct 95 {FBIS Transcribed Text] On October 21 President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan will leave for the USA to participate in a special session organized by the UN General Assembly on occasion of 50th Anniversary of the United Nations. During his four-day visit Levon Ter-Petrosyan will meet with heads of delegations, participating in the session, as well as will have meetings with UN’s officials. On October 24 Levon Ter-Petrosyan is scheduled to make a speech at the special session of the UN General Assembly. CAUCASUS 87 Figures Given on Russian Assumption of Debt NC1510133295 Yerevan NOYAN TAPAN in English 1638 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] On October 11, National As- sembly of Armenia ratified the Moscow agreement on external debts and assets of the former USSR signed be- tween Armenia and Russian Federation on September 3, 1993. Under this agreement Russia assumes responsibil- ity to pay off Armenia's share in USSR’s external debt. As of December 1, 1991 Armenia's share in former USSR’s external debt was equivalent to 590 min USD. According to data provided by Paris Official Creditors Club, process of paying off the debt and interests should have started in 1992 in accordance with the following time-table (in millions of dollars): Years Sum to be paid off Interests to be paid off 1992 145.3 39.3% 1993 122.1 40.5% 1994 147.1 39.4% 1995 135.3 29.1% According to Armenian Finance Ministry, Armenia like other CIS countries is incapable of paying off these sums because of their great size. Russian Federation agreed to pay off these sums demanding in exchange that CIS countries refuse from assets of the former USSR abroad. Since there is certain difficulties in re- turning these assets, all republics of the former Soviet Union decided to give them up and concluded agree- ments with Russia, according to “zero variant”. If Armenia had refused from this agreement, in late 1995 it would have had to pay off 850 min USD. Payment of interests and this debt would have constituted over 200 min USD per year. Armenian Finance Ministry emphasized that Armenia's current external debt does not exceed even 1/3 of the above-mentioned sum. Visiting Iranian Minister Comments on Relations NC1310183395 Yerevan NOYAN TAPAN in English 0530 GMT 13 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] 13/10/95 NOYAN TAPAN — "In the course of 2500 years of our joint history favor- able pre-requisites for restoration of ancient ties between Armenian and Iranian people have appeared again,” Ira- nian Minister of Culture and Islamic Orientation Seyyed Mustafa Mirsalim said on October 12 press conference. The first significant manifestation of an agreement on cooperation in fields of culture, science and sport signed in 1994 is the opening of days of Iranian culture in Yerevan on October 11. According to Iranian minister, programs for cooperation of art critics, musicians, the- atrical figures of the two countries are being worked out in order to expand cultural ties between the two countries. According to these programs, it is planned to shoot a joint film “Iran through eyes of Armenians, and Armenia through eyes of Iranians”, to organize lectures by Armenian musicians in Iran, joint study of ancient manuscripts, translations of works of Armenian and Ira- nian writers etc. Mutual study of languages will pro- mote reinforcement of ties between the two peoples. In connection with this, Iranian minister reported that Iran would assist those Armenian schools teaching Persian. It is known that Armenians of Iran have their own Ar- menian schools. Armenian language is taught at Iranian University. According to Armenian Ministry of Culture Hakob Movsesi Hakobyan, Iran is the only country sponsoring This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 88 CAUCASUS restoration of Armenian churches for example churches of St. Fadey and St. Mortar Stepanos. "Blue Mosque is the only large Iraniar memorial which was preserved even under conditions of mass termination of churches in the 30’s" Hakob Movsesi said. Iranian Government allocates some | billion Iranian rials for capital restora- tion of the mosque. Restored mosque will become the center of Iranian culture in Yerevan. Meets With Vice President LD1510095995 Tehran IRNA in English 0818 GMT 15 Oct 95 (FBIS Transcribed Text] Yerevan, Oct. 15, IRNA — Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mostafa Mir- salim here Saturday voiced Iran’s readiness to establish ties between Muslim and Armenian clerics. Currently in Armenia to attend the Iranian cultural week and to meet with Armenian officials, Mirsalim made the remark in a meeting with Armenian Vice-President Gagik Arutyunyan. Referring to friendly relations between Muslims and their Armenian brothers in the Islamic Republic, he underlined the need to establish vast relations in the field of culture and tourism. Arutyunyan, who is also the chairman of the joint commission, made mention of the positive consequences of Iran's cultural week in his country and expressed hope that the two countries would achieve great success in cultural and artistic affairs as well as in their tourism industries. Iran’s cultural week in Yerevan started last Wednesday with the holding of an exhibition displaying tourist attractions, handicrafts and traditional music. Azerbaijan President Promises Cease-Fire Observance in Karabakh LD1210213795 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1730 GMT 12 Oct 95 [From the “Diplomatic Panorama” feature} {[FBIS Transcribed Text] BAKU, Oct 12 (Interfax) — President Geydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan has confirmed his country’s determination to observe ceasefire “up to the complete settlement of the Karabakh conflict.” He made this statement meeting in Baku the State Secretary for Matters of the Swiss Confederation Jakob Kellenberg. Switzerland will take over chairmanship from Hungary in 1996 of the OSCE, which is mediating settlement of the Karabakh conflict. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 The Azeri president said that Baku hopes for “achieving concrete results” at the next round of the Armenian- Azeri talks which is being held at the Aland Islands (Finland) under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh. “We hope that the Minsk Group will manage to achieve progress in the settlement process before the end of the year,” said Aliyev. For his part, Kellenberg said that Switzerland, recogniz- ing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, believes that the Azeri lands occupied by Armenians must be liber- ated. IMF Pian for Economy Criticized as ‘Scam’ MM1610094895 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 14 Oct 95 p 14 [Article by A. Vladikavkazskiy: “What It Would Mean If Sellers Outnumbered Buyers. Economic Crisis in Azerbaijan and How It Was Provoked by IMF Block- headedness"] (FBIS Translated Text] Baku — The model of economic renewal in Azerbaijan proposed by the IMF has been dubbed the “scam of the century” by independent economists. It is by no means a question of a turn of phrase: the specialists are working on the basis of realities — production has virtually ground to a halt in the country, with the possible exception of the still-functioning oil fields and a small number of plants and factories, and the population has been impoverished. And this is largely the consequence of the Capriciousness of this not very compliant international organization. The IMF program is simple but tough — spend what you earn and use your loans sensibly to modernize industry and the agrarian sector. By following the IMF's unquestioned demands, the government has reduced bank lending to a minimum and has not increased the minimum wage for 1! months. A kind of vicious circle has formed — because of the lack of lending to develop production, enterprises are standing idle and are not paying taxes to the treasury, which has left the government unable to pay pensions (its total debt is up to 70 billion manats) or salaries to workers at budget-sector organizations. In order to stop inflation running riot the dollar exchange rate has been artificially maintained — by selling petrodollars in the market. Bonuses and interim loans intended for other purposes have been used. In order to explain the unenviable situation in which the country finds itself we need only recognize that it is hard to revive the economic administrative system is report may contain copyrighted maternal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 that collapsed under the People’s Front regime. Yes, this is indeed so. President Geydar Aliyev has recently reiterated that the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the more than 1 million refugees on the republic’s territory are having a negative impact on the economic situation. Naturally, the disruption to production ties with the CIS States, the restrictions on North Caucasus rail traffic as a result of the events in Chechnya, the repeated coup attempts, and so forth are also having an effect. You would have thought that such a combination of circumstances was just a matter of time — everything takes time, as they say. Total loans in 1995, including IMF credits, come to $400 million. That is not counting the bonus allocated by the International Oil Consortium. This contribution came to $200 million. Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations experts claim that every dollar invested in production today will be returned five- fold in the next three- five years taking account of the high quality of output that should find outlets on the world market. Petrodollars will be a special item of future revenue. Oil exports from the Chirag-1 oil field will be producing sizable profits early next year. The prodlem is whether the country’s population is prepared to starve and go poor until such time as the economy picks up — which will take at least a whole decade. The resources of patience in the social mentality are limited and, by all accounts, are long since exhausted. According to state statistics, the consumer basket currently costs 248,865 manats. The government is planning to increase the minimum wage by 15 percent (or 6,300 manats, $1.20- 1.40) as of 1 October. Even then the minimum wage will not exceed 3 percent of the overall costs of the consumer basket. In order to assess the situation it is easier to work things out in rubles — the Azerbaijani manat has long been comparable to the Russian currency and has approx- imately the same dollar exchange rate. But prices in the Azerbaijani market exceed Moscow prices, which means that it is beyond nature for the republic's author- ities to expect the population to live on 6,300 rubles. That level of benefit will be paid to nonworking refugees and displaced persons. The average wage varies between 15,000 and 60,000 manats. This imbalance arose not of its own accord but as a result of a definite metamorpho- sis — when the national currency was introduced the manat exchange rate against the Russian ruble was set at 1-10. This allowed the authors of monetary reform to exploit the bungling of the People’s Front leaders and reduce tenfold the value of state property, housing, and other assets that the people had built up over many decades. And it allowed them to sell off the people's assets for dollars — to their own advantage, of course — and leave everyone else holding the baby. The fact CAUCASUS 89 is that the governments that have followed the People’s Front regime have begun to equalize prices, using the dollar as an equivalent. They have equalized everything apart from wages, which are still at the "one-tenth" level. Unfortunately, the crushing edict on the correlation be- tween the manat and the Russian ruble that was signed three years ago by former President Abulfaz Elchibey has not been repealed. This is what it is like to live guided by the directions of the IMF, which refuses to “authorize” a sharp increase in the minimum wage because it has not been earned. But how can it be earned when enterprises eking out a miserable existence are standing idle? The ordinary people are taking no account of this, if statistics are to be believed — the total number of small traders has exceeded the total number of buyers over the past year. IMF specialists, admitting that this phenomenon is rarely encountered, put it down to the "specifics of national economic relations.” Boxes of prime necessities are brought out in front of buildings, in public places, or in subway underpasses to be sold. And the money hardly ever finds its way into a bank — only 16 out of every 100 manats do. To those 16 manats are added 84 manats — after the latest sale in the market of rapidly disappearing bonus petrodollars.... Citibank To Fitiance Oil Field Development MM1310130495 Moscow IZVESTIYA (Financial Section) in Russian 13 Oct 95 pl [AGENTSTVO NEFTYANOY INFORMATSII report: “Azerbaijan To Continue Developing Inaccessidle Oil Fields With American Money"]} [FBIS Translated Text] America’s Citibank intends to continue financing two projects to develop inaccessible deposits in oil fields in Azerbaijan with an estimated total value of $300 million. The contract, funded by an American bank, was concluded on the basis of production sharing and includes prospecting work in the western part of the Apsheron Peninsula, as well as the development of known deposits in the northern wing of the Karadagskaya [name as transliterated] structure and in the Kergez [name as transliterated] Field. Planned total investment under both sections of the contract is around $300 million over the course of 25 years. Estimated oil reserves in known areas are put at around 42 million tonnes, and at 21 million tonnes in the developed sector. This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. 90 CAUCASUS Legal Proceedings Continue Against Journalists LD1310205795 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1927 GMT 13 Oct 95 [FBIS Transcribed Text] BAKU, Oct 13 (Inter“ax) — Legal proceedings concerning four journalists continued in the Baku Municipal Court today. The journalists are charged with publishing in the Chemshe (Reed) self-published satirical newspaper articles offending the honor and dignity of the Azerbaijani president. The prosecutor demanded tonight that journalist Ayaz Akhmedov and journalist Yadigara Mamedli be sen- tenced to five and three years of imprisonment respec- tively. A three-year sentence was proposed for journal- ists Asker Akhmed and Malik Bairamov. The journalists maintain their innocence saying that the legal proceedings are of political nature. An Interfax correspondent reports that the accused remained handcuffed during the legal proceedings, chained to each other. No video taping or photographs were allowed during the legal proceedings. "The authorities are trying to intimidate the free media by these proceedings and fan the atmosphere of depres- sion on the eve of parliamentary elections," said Chair- man of the Independent Democratic Party of Azerbai- jan, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee Leila Yunusova. The Azerbaijani Musavat party’s press center said the Reporters Without Borders international human rights organization for journalists had sent on October 10 an appeal to Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. Reporters Without Borders said they were seriously concerned about the legal proceedings against the four journalists. "No accusation of offending the honor and dignity of the president can exist in democratic countries which defend freedom of the media," Reporters Without Borders said. Georgia Former Security Chief Blames Russia for Terrorist Acts LD1310163795 Tbilisi IPRINDA in Russian 1230 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Text] Tbilisi, 13 Oct — Irakli Bati- ashvili, the former chief of the Information and Intelli- gence Service of Georgia, held a news conference today devoted to the terrorist acts that were recently carried out in the republic. Batiashvili said that these terrorist acts were not ac- cidental at all. "Caucasus has turned into an arena of FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 confrontation between big powers and the events that took place have to be viewed from this angle." A great number of these terrorist acts have been commissioned by the Russian Security Service, as Russia can feel the growing interest of Turkey, the United States, and other states in Georgia. The terrorist act, which was carried out on 29 August, ahead of a visit to Georgia by Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, was meant as a warning to Turkey; and the killing of the U.S. embassy employee Fred Woodruff, which preceded a visit to Georgia by CIA Chairman Woolsey, was targeted as a warning to the United States. As for the terrorist act of 29 August, it was a result of a subversive act by the General Staff of the main intelligence service of Russia. According to Batiashvili, the Georgian leadership is well aware of all this but they remain silent. As for Igor Giorgadze, the Russian side will never extradite him to Georgian authorities. More on Batiashvili News Conference LD1310220495 Moscow Russian Television Network in Russian 1700 GMT 13 Oct 95 [From the "Vesti" program] [FBIS Translated Text] Sensational reports from Tbilisi. have recently become a routine matter. There has been no exception today. [Correspondent Moseshvili] But no-one had expected anything like what Irakli Batiashvili, former security chief of Georgia, said. He said the military and political interests of big countries, first and foremost Russia, had played a major part in recent terrorist acts in Georgia. Batiashvili said the murder of Woodruff, an employee of the American embassy in Tbilisi, in July 1993 had been masterminded by Russian special services, which, in Batiashvili’s words, warned the Western state not to interfere in Russia's sphere of interests. As for the attempt on Eduard Shevardnadze’s life on 29 August, the former security chief said Fedor Reut, com- mander of the Group of Russian Troops in the Transcau- casus, had known about preparations for the terrorist act. Marusin, head of military intelligence, whom Batiashvili called the head of [word indistinct] in the Transcauca- sus, left for Moscow that morning. Batiashvili also said that in case of a coup and Shevardnadze’s death, the units of the Russian Group of Troops in the Transcau- casus would have taken to streets of Tbilisi and started patrolling. In order to clarify the situation, our film crew ap- proached the command of the Russian Group of Troops This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. FBIS-SOV-95-199 16 October 1995 in the Transcaucasus, who categorically denied those re- ports. Politely refusing to give an interview, Col Bryant- sev, a spokesman for the staff, said the command would make an appropriate statement only if Batiashvili pro- Tbilisi Negotiates Treaty on Cooperation With EU LD1310184595 Moscow INTERFAX in English 1602 GMT 13 Oct 95 [From the "Diplomatic Panorama” feature] {FBIS Transcribed Text] TBILISI, Oct 13 (Interfax) — The relations between the E.U. and Georgia are acquiring a qualitatively new nature, Georgia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Ukleba told journalists upon his return to Tbilisi Thursday. He headed the Georgian delegation to the first round of talks on a large- scale bilateral treaty on friendship and cooperation in Brussels on October 9-10. Ukleba said the E.U. had regarded Georgia as an area to deliver humanitarian aid to until recently. Now the E.U. assistance program aims to promote economic reforms in the republic. According to Ukleba, the treaty will constitute "the po- litical and economic backbone” of E.U-Georgian rela- tions. The documents provides for cooperation in in- vestments, industry, agriculture, transport, energy pro- duction, telecommunications, finances and other areas. Ukleba said the treaty also contained some provisions on granting the republic the most-favored-nation status on Georgia’s initiative. Ukleba said the next round of talks will be held this November or December to sign the treaty. Abkhazia Asks UN To Help Extradite Murder Suspects LD1410153095 Sukhumi Republic of Abkhazia Radio in Russian 0510 GMT 14 Oct 95 (FBIS Translated Excerpt] Mr. Liviu Bota, deputy to the UN secretary general’s special envoy to Georgia, CAUCASUS 91 continues his visit to Abkhazia. On 12 October he was received at the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Abkhazia. The Abkhaz Prosecutor’s Office asked Mr. Liviu Bota to mediate in the Abkhaz side’s attempt to extradite the notorious Tsveyba brothers, who were involved in the [September 1995] assassination of Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Voronov. We are sure that they were involved in the assassi- nation and we have specific evidence supporting this, Prosecutor-General Anri Jergenia said. In Anri Jerge- nia’s opinion, the Georgian side, which has more than once in the past refused or ignored similar demands by Abkhazia, should observe internationally recognized norms and extradite the Tsveyba brothers. Mr. Bota expressed readiness to help Abkhazia in this question. [passage omitted] The prosecutor general of Abkhazia presented Mr. Liviu Bota with relevant documents and asked him to hand them over to the Georgian authorities. Polls Indicate Shevardnadze Supported by 55 Percent LD1310191395 Tbilisi CONTACT INFORMATION AGENCY in Russian 1700 GMT 13 Oct 95 {FBIS Translated Text] Tbilisi — According to the Statistical data obtained as a result of polls, which are carried out regularly by the mass media, one can draw the conclusion that nearly 55 percent of population supports the candidacy of the Georgian head of state (Eduard Shevardnadze] for the post of president of the country. His strongest contender Jumber Patiashvili has the support of only 17 percent, and no more than 3 to 4 percent of the population supports the other four candidates for president. As for the parliamentary elections, the Georgian National-Democratic party comes first and is followed by the Union of Citizens of Georgia. cs report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and di i is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. This is a U.S. Government publication produced by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Its contents in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the U.S. Government. FBIS collects, translates, disseminates, and analyzes foreign open-source information on behalf of the U.S. Government. Its publications may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited with- out permission of the copyright owners. — 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 names in radio and television material appear in parentheses and are spelled phonetically; words and phrases in parentheses preceded by a question mark are unclear in the original and deduced from context. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION U.S. Government Customers Non-Government Customers - A list of FBIS products, to subscribe to Subscriptions are available from the FBIS publication, or to indicate a National Technical Information Service: tuivee of address contact: NTIS FBIS 5285 Port Royal Road P.O. Box 2604 Springfield, VA 22161 Washington, DC 20013-2604 Telephone: (703) 487-4630 Telephone: (202) 338-6735 FAX: (703) 321-8547 FAX: (703) 733-6042 “ =A New subscribers should expect a 30-day delay in receipt of the first issue.