Russia 110328 Basic Political Developments

Russia 110328

Basic Political Developments

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  Russia open for talks with Talibs - special envoy (Part 2) - "We have no direct contacts with the Taliban. But Russia supports national reconciliation in Afghanistan, which is of crucial importance," Russia's Kremlin envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told Interfax.
  
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  Gil Kerlikowske: Alternative crops in Afghanistan can lead to significant reduction in drug production - U.S. National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske has visited Moscow for talks with Russian Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) Director Viktor Ivanov within the framework of Russian-U.S. presidential anti-drug working group and has given an interview to Interfax in the wake of the meeting.
  
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  Russian-American commission on START implementation meets in Geneva
  
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  Moldovan foreign minister to visit Moscow - Moldovan Foreign Minister Yury Lyanke will pay a working visit to Moscow on Monday, the Foreign Ministry reported. Lyanke will meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral relations and the Transdnestr settlement.
  
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  Russia, Kyrgyzstan FMs to focus on bilateral agreements - Ministers of Russia and Kyrgyzstan Sergei Lavrov and Ruslan Kazakbayev will meet here on Monday to sign a bilateral cooperation program for this year, the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry told Itar-Tass on Sunday. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported that a forthcoming visit of the country’s foreign minister in Moscow is official and will be made at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
  
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  Karabakh mediators present fact-finding mission's report
  
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  SF: Russia must stop violation of the sovereignty of Libya. - The Federation Council believes that Russia should take a restrained but firm stand in dealing with the events in Libya, to hinder the process of violating the sovereignty, the erosion of state borders.
  
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  Poll: One third of Russians believe Gaddafi will be overthrown
  
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  Radiation level not exceed norm in Primorsky territory
  
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  Medvedev meets with rescue workers back from Japan
  
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  Sergei Kiriyenko: "Fukushima-1” no threat to Russians
  
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  Russia will lose nuclear shield if nuclear energy industry curtailed – Kiriyenko
  
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  Energy Ministry expects no changes to Russia's energy balance following possible nuclear reassessment – Shmatko
  
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  Russia’s Primorye territory toughens control over seafood imports
  
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  Russian activists discussing Chernobyl at USC
  
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  Norway welcomes Russian Duma vote
  
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  Pravda: Russia and Norway share Arctic waters
  
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  Russia insists on tough conditions for Belarus bail out - Russia told Belarus on Friday that it must draw up a plan of specific economic reforms within 10 - 12 days before it will begin negotiations on offering the ailing economy loans, reports BelaPAN.
  
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  Serbia's export to Russia could get hit by EU accession
  
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  Russians offer USD 3 billion credit for purchase of their jets
  
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  Russia arms exports at record level till 2014 –report : Contract portfolio $45 billion end 2010; India tops list of Russian arms importers
  
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  Russian Navy plans to reassign cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Pacific Fleet
  
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  Medvedev to hold online conference - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is due to hold an online videoconference today to hear out progress reports by several Governors and Government Agency Chiefs.
  
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  Vladimir Putin to visit Sheremetyevo
  
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  Government to consider merger of Moscow airports today
  
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  Prosecutors blame controller for Krasnoyarsk midair incident
  
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  Ingush opposition protests continue
  
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  Law enforcement officials clash with rebels in Sunzhen region of Ingushetia
  
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  Interior troops serviceman killed in attack in Dagestan
  
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  Contract serviceman killed in Dagestan
  
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  Police boost Moscow subway security ahead of bombing anniversary
  
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  Vladimir Churov re-elected as CEC chairman
  
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  Moscow disctrict court secretary resigns - Press secretary of Moscow's Khamovniki court Natalia Vasilyeva, who claimed pressure on a judge during the trial of the Yukos case, tended her resignation on Monday, which was accepted, chairman of the human rights organization AGORA Pavel Chikov told Itar-Tass.
  
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  Reuters PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Mar 28
  
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  RIA Russian Press at a Glance, Monday, March 28, 2011
  
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  NYT: Russian Site Smokes Out Corruption - Aleksei N. Navalny has managed to attract a vast audience with his Web site for investors, Navalny.ru, even as he takes on big state-owned energy companies in his crusade against graft, kickbacks and bribery.
  
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  BBC: The secrets of Anna Chapman
  
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  N.H.L. Puts Freeze on Games in Russia
  

National Economic Trends

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  Ruble Yields Tumble to Record as Bank Holds Rate: Russia Credit
  
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  Russian population dwindles since 2002 - statistics
  
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  Government approves development strategy for banking sector
  
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  Russia gets competitive - The change is particularly noticeable in the banking sector, which was one of the first to be reformed. By Ben Aris in Moscow
  

Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions

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  Rosneft, Polymetal, Lukoil, Cherkizovo: Russian Equity Preview
  
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  Summa Capital takes over Czech port builder
  
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  Federal Grid Company gains LSE listing
  
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  Russia's Mosenergo posts higher 2010 profit, revenue
  
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  Shenhua Says Russia Talks Going Smoothly; Sees Coal Opportunity
  
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  Russia's RusAl aluminum giant says may set up JV for Asia-Pacific projects
  
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  Norilsk Nickel May Buy TKB Capital from VTB, Vedomosti Reports
  
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  Sberbank Asks BNP as Partner on Express Credits, Kommersant Says
  
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  Troika Not to Invest Client Money in Two Funds, Kommersant Says
  
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  RusHydro set to place 15 bln rubles worth of bonds soon
  
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  Rusagro sets IPO price range at $14.5-18.25 per GDR
  
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  Boeing To Study Titanium Valley Investment Potential
  
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  Rice Endorses Skolkovo
  
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  Russian retailer Dixy Jan-Feb revenues up 21 pct
  
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  Cherkizovo meat 2010 net profit up 21% to $144 mln
  
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  Nanotech Signs Accord with Russian Company for Manufacture and Distribution of Green Polyurethane
  
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  Waterstone could link with Russian billionaire to buy back firm