What the Papers Say, Apr. 11, 2013

Kommersant

1. Anna Balashova et al. article headlined "Arkady Rotenberg gets connected with wrong man" says that the deal between businessman Arkady Rotenberg and the company Marshall Capital on the purchase of a 10.7 percent stake in the communications company Rostelekom has failed because the seller has increased the price of the stake; p 1 (686 words).
2. Ksenya Dementyeva et al. article headlined "VTB zeroes Otkrytiye" says that the VTB bank is selling its stake in the financial corporation Otkrytiye; pp 1, 10 (733 words).
3. Oleg Trutnev article headlined "SAN InBev makes froth" says that SAN InBev, the Russian branch of the world's largest beer producer AB InBev, has promised to close its plant in Chuvashia if the local authorities refuse to subsidize its produce; pp 1, 12 (718 words).
4. Vladislav Trifonov and Yegor Popov article headlined "Izhmash disarmed at large amount of money" says that Vladimir Grodetsky, former general director of Russia's largest manufacturer of military and hunting rifles, Izhmash, has been detained in Izhevsk and transported under guard to Moscow on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement; pp 1, 4 (767 words).
5. Irina Nagornykh article headlined "Sergei Naryshkin backs stronghold" says that when delivering a lecture in St. Petersburg, State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin has called for respecting the Russian parliamentarianism and Russian lawmakers and warned that the dissolution of the parliament is "fraught with chaos and deviation from the democratic way of development"; p 2 (538 words).
6. Natalya Gorodetskaya and Ivan Safronov article headlined "Expense place" says that Russian government officials will be the first whose income and expense declarations for 2012 will be verified; p 2 (659 words).
7. Maxim Ivanov article headlined "They start working on president's billions" says that the Prosecutor General's Office has begun to check all 654 NGOs, which, according to President Vladimir Putin, have received over 28 billion rubles ($875 million at the current exchange rate) from abroad since the law about "foreign agents" came into effect; p 3 (639 words).
8. Natalya Korchenkova article headlined "Business ombudsman suggested entrepreneurs be released from jail" says that presidential envoy to highest courts Mikhail Barshchevsky has submitted to businessmen's rights ombudsman Boris Titov a concept of granting an amnesty to entrepreneurs. The document envisages freeing about 110,000 businessmen convicted for economic crimes; p 3 (596 words).
9. Oleg Rubnikovich article headlined "Military property sold inexpensively, but with additional payment" says that the trial of Dmitry Mityayev, former top manager of the Mira company in charge of selling military property, who is involved in the Defence Ministry corruption scandal, has begun; p 4 (606 words).
10. Nikolai Sergeiev and Khalil Aminov article headlined "Duty trip to London taken into account for Akhmed Bilalov" says that criminal proceedings have been instituted against the former head of the company Resorts of the North Caucasus, Akhmed Bilalov, over abuse of office; p 5 (792 words).
11. Vsevolod Inyutin article headlined "Masloprodukt upgraded without new equipment" says that an arrest warrant may be issued today for former Agriculture Deputy Minister Alexei Bazhenov, detained as part of the probe into large-scale embezzlement of budget funds at the state-owned company Rosagroleasing; p 5 (591 words).
12. Kirill Belyaninov article headlined "Barack Obama disarms shops" says that a tougher bill on arms sales restrictions in the U.S. will be submitted to the U.S. Congress by the end of this week; p 8 (582 words).
13. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Federal Protection Service not let look around properly" says that Britain has refused to ease issuing of visas for Russian official delegations to the G8 summit in North Ireland to be held in June; p 8 (425 words).
14. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "G8 to check differences" looks at the agenda of today's meeting of the G8 foreign ministers in London; p 8 (650 words).
15. Maria Yefimova article headlined "Bashar Asad takes reinforcement from Israel" says that the Syrian pro-government forces have been re-deployed from the Israeli border to Damascus and other conflict zones in Syria. Experts fear that the move will destabilize the situation on the Israeli border; p 8 (460 words).
16. Mikhail Serov and Nikolai Marchenko article headlined "South Stream runs across interim government" says that Bulgaria wants to revise the investment agreement on its section of the South Stream gas pipeline; p 11 (858 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1. Yury Roks article headlined "It is Georgia who launched war in South Ossetia" says that at a meeting with journalists, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili admitted that Georgia is to blame for the hostilities in South Ossetia back in August 2008 and placed responsibility onto President Mikheil Saakashvili; pp 1-2 (770 words).
2. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Putin's words confirmed by Prosecutor General's Office" says that the Prosecutor General's Office will conduct checks of about 700 NGOs that are allegedly financed from abroad. Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry has published a report justifying the need for additional powers to carry out unplanned checks of NGOs; pp 1, 3 (1,090 words).
3. Igor Naumov article headlined "Rosagroleasing ruined by sunflower seed oil" says that testimony by former Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexei Bazhenov, detained as part of the probe into large-scale embezzlement of budget funds at the state-owned company Rosagroleasing, may help investigators obtain more specific information about former Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik's involvement in the case; pp 1, 4 (800 words).
4. Sergei Kulikov article headlined "Far East to be financed according to new scheme" says that the government plans to change the organizational structure of the Fund for the Development of the Far East and Baikal region and is ready to attract Chinese investors to the implementation of infrastructure projects in the region; pp 1, 4 (613 words).
5. Andrei Serenko article headlined "Fighters against extremism get interested in Ilya Ponomaryov's aide" says that searches have been held at the flats of civil activists in the Volgograd region as part of the probe into the May 6, 2012, riots in Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad; pp 1, 5 (588 words).
6. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "Seoul ready for preventive strike" says that North Korea continues threatening U.S. allies. However, the DPRK's threats are playing into the hands of Washington, which under this pretext is building a missile defense system in Asia aimed against China; pp 1, 7 (507 words).
7. Editorial headlined "Chisinau builds EU border along Dniester River" says that the Dniester region conflict continues aggravating despite Russian-Ukrainian consultations to settle it. Local residents believe that Moldova has left the issue to the tender mercies of Russia or Ukraine and has focused on the integration with the EU; p 2 (507 words).
8. Oleg Nikiforov article published in the Carte Blanche regular column headlined "Putin-phobia or Putin-mania" contemplates the Germans' attitude to President Putin given his recent visit to this country; p 3 (692 words).
9. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "Visas to Europe probably not to be cancelled by 2020" says that Russian and Estonian lawmakers will meet today in the State Duma to discuss the border between the two countries, an agreement on which has not yet been signed. The issue is said to affect Russia-EU talks on visa-free travel; p 3 (542 words).
10. Ivan Rodin article headlined "Deputies do not allow to fool them" says that the State Duma has approved in the first reading amendments to the law about the Russian prosecutor's office, which clarify the reasons on the basis of which the prosecutor's office can refuse to provide the findings of its checks; p 3 (524 words).
11. Svetlana Gavrilina article headlined "Police have breath of intoxicating air of Svoboda" says that police have raided the opposition bar Svoboda in St. Petersburg. Although no grounds were found to close the bar, policemen said that it would be closed anyway; p 5 (528 words).
12. Yury Paniyev article headlined "G8 to focus on regional conflicts" looks at a two-day meeting of G8 foreign ministers in London; p 7 (684 words).
13. Darya Tsilyurik article headlined "Allies leave Afghanistan without saying goodbye" says that the British House of Commons has published a report which says that after the allies leave Afghanistan, a civil conflict will break out there and the only way to prevent it is to hold fruitful peace talks with the Taliban; p 7 (610 words).

Vedomosti

1. Dmitry Kazmin et al. article headlined "Cyprus warned" says that a mere month before the introduction of the one-off levy on bank deposits, the Cypriot Central Bank assured local banks that this would be an anti-constitutional step which was impossible in the free market economy; pp 1, 4 (612 words).
2. Vitaly Petlevoi et al. article headlined "Kovalchuk gets on rocket" says that businessman Yury Kovalchuk owns a blocking stake in the missile corporation RKK Energia; pp 1, 12 (445 words).
3. Editorial headlined "Almost without feeling" comments on the bill introducing criminal responsibility for insulting believers' feelings passed by the State Duma in the first reading; pp 1, 6 (460 words).
4. Maria Zheleznova and Irina Novikova article headlined "Enough of Putin" says that a public opinion poll conducted by the Levada Centre has shown that a mere 22 percent of Russians want President Putin to be re-elected for another term in 2018. About 55 percent of respondents want someone else to become the Russian president in 2018; p 3 (560 words).
5. Olga Kuvshinova article headlined "Unsolved formula" says that labour market experts and lawyers have criticized a pension reform drafted by the Labor Ministry and the government in late March; p 4 (679 words).
6. Alexei Zakharov article headlined "Cause and effect: Fear as factor" says that a court ruling passed on opposition activist Alexei Navalny will determine both his future, the future of President Putin and prospects for the Russian politics for the next 20 years; p 6 (712 words).
7. Editorial headlined "Eastern poker" says that the DPRK's threats to attack the U.S. and its allies might indeed be a bluff, and might be not and features an expert's comment on the issue; p 6 (300 words).
8. Alexei Rozhkov and Irina Kezik interview with Leonid Fedun, chairman of the board of directors at the IFD Kapital group of companies, headlined "We invested, invest and will be investing," who speaks about his oil, financial and sports businesses; pp 8-9 (5,735 words).

Izvestia

1. Dmitry Yevstifeyev and Andrei Gridasov article headlined "Akhmed Bilalov prefers emigration" says that the former head of the Resorts of the North Caucasus company, Akhmed Bilalov, who is being prosecuted for abuse of office, prefers to stay abroad and is said to have begun to get rid of assets in Russia. If nothing changes, he may be put on an international wanted list; pp 1, 4 (850 words).
2. Yulia Tsoi et al. article headlined "Dismissal looms over Rosleskhoz head after State Council" says that the April 11 meeting of the State Council dedicated to the problems of the Russian forestry may end in public criticism and probably dismissal of the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) head, Viktor Maslyakov; pp 1-2 (555 words).
3. Vladimir Barinov article headlined "Would-be policemen to be tested on drugs and alcohol" says that the Interior Ministry has drafted a ruling regulating the examination and testing of candidates for policemen for drug use and alcohol abuse; pp 1, 4 (879 words).
4. Anastasia Kashevarova article headlined "Boris Zubitsky may quit State Duma" says that United Russia Deputy Boris Zubitsky may leave the State Duma, being displeased with an obligation to declare expenses; pp 1-2 (308 words).
5. Nikita Mogutin article headlined "Navalny to be tried under increased security" says that unprecedented security measures will be taken at the trial of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, charged with property embezzlement at the Kirovles company in the Kirov region; pp 1, 4 (473 words).
6. Yulia Tsoi and Alena Sivkova article headlined "Human rights council demands report on NGOs checks from Prosecutor General's Office" says that the presidential human rights council has decided to stand up for NGOs and demanded that the findings of checks of NGOs be published; p 2 (485 words).
7. Maria Kunle article headlined "Union State demands R1.4bn for failed programmes" says that the leadership of the Union State of Russia and Belarus has decided to carry out an audit of expenses over the last 14 years; p 3 (532 words).
8. Svetlana Subbotina and Alena Sivkova article headlined "Alena Arshinova heads United Russia youth" says that the former co-chairwoman of the coordination council of the pro-Kremlin youth movement Young Guard, Alyona Arshinova, has headed the youth wing of the ruling party; p 3 (402 words).
9. Ivan Cheberko interview with Alexei Krasnov, the head of the manned programs at the Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos), headlined "Keeping of International Space Station costs $6.5Bln annually," who speaks about space tourism and Russia's space plans; p 5 (1,463 words).
10. Yury Matsarskiy article headlined "DPRK warms up before missile attack" says that according to the U.S. special services, North Korea has not only placed a ballistic missile at the starting point, but also fueled it; p 7 (647 words).
11. Dmitry Yevstifeyev article headlined "Former minister Skrynnik appears in case of missed billion" says that former Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik will be questioned as part of the probe into large-scale embezzlement of budget funds at the state-owned company Rosagroleasing, revealed in the Voronezh region; p 9 (621 words).
12. Yevgenia Pishchikova article headlined "Trick with exposure" contemplates Russian society's reaction to the protests staged by Femen activists at Hanover fair; p 10 (879 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Tamara Shkel article headlined "To gather 'Russian world'" focuses on a State Duma meeting, at which forged dissertations, NGOs and a report by the head of the Federal Agency for the Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Rossotrudnichestvo) were discussed; p 2 (689 words).
2. Kira Latukhina article headlined "Friend's shoulder" looks at talks between Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and President Putin in Moscow; p 2 (418 words).
3. Alexander Alexeyev interview with Murmansk Governor Marina Kovtun who speaks about her first year in office; p 4 (1,360 words).
4. Natalya Yachmennikova article headlined "How to find Korolev?" features experts' comments on the personnel problem in the Russian space industry; p 6 (2,213 words).
5. Oleg Kiryanov article headlined "Was Pyongyang waiting for dawn?" says that the DPRK will not give up missile attacks, even if it wants, in order to save face and show the serious nature of its plans; p 8 (357 words).
6. Vladislav Vorobyev article headlined "Nothing but G8" looks at Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to London for a meeting of the G8 foreign ministers; p 8 (429 words).
7. Alexander Gasyuk article headlined "No farewell to arms" says that the U.S. lawmakers are in no hurry with the gun control reform; p 8 (300 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta (weekly)

1. Vladislav Kulikov article headlined "Penalized people to be queued" says that the Supreme Court has clarified punishment for bribe-takers; p 4 (630 words).
2. Marina Gritsyuk and Tatyana Smolyakova article headlined "It is advantageous to work after 60" features Labor and Social Protection Minister Maxim Topilin's answers to questions asked by readers; p 6 (858 words).
3. Pyotr Orlov interview with deputy head of the State Duma committee for financial markets, Anatoly Aksakov, speaking on prospects for cash payment restrictions in Russia; p 8 (1,202 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Mikhail Zubov article headlined "Nobody wants to be spy" comments on mass checks of NGOs in Russia and contemplates consequences that they will have; pp 1-2 (537 words).
2. Alexander Minkin article headlined "Insulting of feelings," written as a letter to President Putin, says that it would be better to pass a law defending citizens' rights rather than a bill introducing criminal responsibility for insulting believers' rights only; pp 1, 3 (680 words).
3. Yevgeny Krasnikov article headlined "Billion on vegetable oil" focuses on the probe into large-scale embezzlement of budget funds at the state-owned company Rosagroleasing and says the former Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik might have been involved in the case; pp 1, 3 (words).
4. Olga Rakhimdzhanova article headlined "Yakemenko expected at Seliger forum once again this year" describes the Seliger-2013 summer camp for pro-Kremlin youth to be held on July 14- Aug. 6; p 2 (572 words).
5. Tatyana Zamakhina article headlined "They did not give it to Cyprus, but gave to Serbia" wonders why Russia has agreed to give a $500 million loan to Serbia, but refused to help Cyprus, where Russian depositors have had bank accounts; p 2 (429 words).
6. Stanislav Belkovsky article headlined "How to save Navalny and pardon Khodorkovsky" says that opposition activist Alexei Navalny has a good chance of being jailed for property embezzlement at the Kirovles company, although the case is not worth a bean; p 3 (1,091 words).
7. Darya Tyukova article headlined "DPRK ready to start war any minute?" says that a Russian expert believes that it is the U.S. who can provoke an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula despite all threats from North Korea; p 3 (375 words).
8. Ilya Baranikas article headlined "America's bad example" says that the middle class in Russia is growing, but a gap between the rich and the poor is widening; p 4 (2,016 words).
9. Marina Perevozkina interview with former Georgian State Security Minister Valery Khaburdzania, headlined "I am absolutely sure that these people have blown up houses in Moscow," who speaks about his career and plans to set up a pro-Russian party in Georgia; p 8 (3,333 words).
10. Natalya Rozhkova article headlined "Polonsky with infinity sign " details Russian businessman Sergei Polonsky's misadventure in Cambodia; p 9 (1,353 words).

Noviye Izvestia

1. Diana Yevdokimova article headlined "Searching for right way" says that many people who disagree with the Russian Orthodox Church's policy abandon Christianity for other confessions and features experts' comments on the issue; pp 1, 5 (1,414 words).
2. Yulia Savina article headlined "Disorderly moves" says that the Moscow Main Interior Directorate has published a report that says that policemen managed to ensure law and order during the May 6 protests in Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad and prevent any incidents. This means that many detainees in the so-called Bolotnaya case have been detained illegally; p 2 (591 words).
3. Konstantin Bakanov article headlined "Mark Knopfler as foreign agent" says that Mark Knopfler, the founder of the Dire Straits rock band, has cancelled a concert in Moscow over the Russian authorities' pressure on NGOs; p 4 (617 words).

Krasnaya Zvezda

1. Sergei Medvedev article headlined "Military psychosis" speculates whether the threat of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula really exists; pp 1, 3 (1,480 words).

Trud

1. Yury Ryazhsky, Trud deputy editor-in-chief, comments on a number of laws signed by the Russian president recently. He says that all of them are of a prohibitive nature; p 2 (520 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda

1. Alexander Gamov interview with the chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber, Sergei Stepashin. Stepashin comments on the rumors that he may soon be replaced by presidential aide Tatyana Golikova; p 4 (470 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda (weekly)

1. Yevgeny Chernykh article headlined "Did China start Korean commotion to save Iran and Syria?" comments on the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula; p 4 (1,000 words).

Apr. 11, 2013/BBC Monitoring/©BBC

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• What the Papers Say, Apr. 10, 2012
• What the Papers Say, Apr. 9, 2012
• What the Papers Say, Apr. 8, 2012