What the Papers Say, June 7, 2013

Kommersant

1. Alexander Trifonov article headlined "Civilized divorce" says that President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila have announced the end of their marriage; p 1 (300 words).

2. Oleg Trutnev article headlined "Beer does not count" says that beer-brewing in the country may stop if the obligatory introduction of meters to keep record of the brewed beer is not postponed again; p 1 (600 words).

3. Viktor Khamrayev article headlined "Igor Yurgens and expert estimations differ" says that Igor Yurgens, the head of the Contemporary Development Institute (INSOR), which is considered to be Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's intellectual headquarters, has resigned from the post. Yurgens has recently been elected president of the All-Russia Insurance Association — the job he already had back in 1998-2002 ; pp 1, 2 (600 words).

4. Andrei Kolesnikov article headlined "Dmitry Livanov and Andrei Fursenko come unscathed out of Single State Exam" gives an ironic account of President Vladimir Putin's meeting with top educationalists to discuss the outcomes of the school year; pp 1, 3 (700 words).

5. Natalya Gorodetskaya article headlined "Ethnic policy assessed" says that the Federation Council has recommended that some 38 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) be allocated on the ethnic policy in 2013-2015; p 2 (600 words).

6. Unattributed article headlined "Sergei Sobyanin ready to make do without United Russia" says that acting Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin is most likely to nominate himself for the autumn mayoral election rather than get nominated by United Russia, the official reason is that Sobyanin may get the support of "40 parties" and just one. Meanwhile, billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has not yet sorted out his foreign assets, the Civil Platform party may nominate his sister Irina instead; p 2 (1,000 words).

7. Maxim Ivanov and Viktor Khamrayev article headlined "Soldiers of unseen front" says that according to polls some 42 percent of those polled have never heard about the All-Russia People's Front; the article looks ahead at the front's congress set for 11-12 June; p 2 (500 words).

8. Igor Lesovskikh article headlined "Spain moves investigation to Urals" says that Spain has extradited Chelyabinsk businessman Alexander Shubik, suspected of stealing some $43 million, to Russia; p 4 (700 words).

9. Dmitry Butrin and Petr Netreba article headlined "Quantitative and qualitative weakening" looks at a set of measures aimed at stepping up economic growth the government is discussing; p 6 (800 words).

10. Vadim Visloguzov article headlined "Finance Ministry paves way for disputes" says that the Finance Ministry has made public the final draft of the tax policy for 2014-2016 which is bound to spark disputes between several ministries; p 6 (600 words).

11. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Cyber weapons on combat alert" says that commander at U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, Keith Alexander, has for the first time admitted that cyber attacks may result in an armed conflict between countries. Russia's cooperation with NATO on the issue is hampered by a preconception shared by a number of member states that Russia poses a threat in cyber space just like China, Iran and Syria; p 7 (600 words).

12. Kirill Belyaninov article headlined "Chinese hackers break relations with USA" says that the issues of cyber security are bound to become the main item on the agenda of talks between U.S. and Chinese leaders set for today; p 7 (600 words).

13. Pavel Tarasenko article headlined "Baltic Sea stirred up by visa issue" gives account of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Kaliningrad region; p 7 (500 words).

14. Olga Mordyushenko and Anatoly Dzhumaylo article headlined "Deputy gives up fertilizers" says that State Duma deputy Zelimkhan Mutsoyev has sold one of its biggest assets, a share in Uralkaliy, in an attempt to comply with the ban for state officials to own foreign accounts; p 11 (700 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1.Anton Khodasevich article headlined "West has not said 'yes' to Lukashenka" says that the U.S. had to explain that it had lifted sanctions off two Belarusian companies because they had expired rather than because some democratic changes in the country had been noticed; pp 1, 7 (400 words).

2. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "Ukraine announces last conscription campaign" says that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has confirmed the plans to switch to the contract-based army next year. However, the presidential election in 2015 may put an end to the novelty, experts warn; pp 1, 7 (800 words).

3. Anastasia Bashkatova article headlined "President is preparing debriefing session looking for another single state exam" says that President Vladimir Putin is going to deal with numerous violations at single state exams across the country when they are over; pp 1, 4 (700 words).

4. Darya Tsiryulik and Yevgenia Novikova article headlined "Turkish protests turn into festival" says that as attempts at dialogue between the protesters and the authorities are being made protests in Istanbul look increasingly more like a youth festival; pp 1, 8 (700 words).

5. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "European Parliament to support Bolotnaya prisoners with urgent resolution" says that Russian opposition activists have asked the European Parliament to simplify the procedure of granting political asylum and pass an urgent resolution condemning the authorities over the Bolotnaya Ploshchad (square) riots case; pp 1, 3 (600 words).

6. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Idle migration" says that head of the Federal Migration Service Konstantin Romodanovskyhas announced the stepping up of measures against illegal migration. Experts consider the measures proposed by the authorities inefficient and forecast further deterioration of the situation; pp 1, 3 (1,000 words).

7. Editorial headlined "Special task force to join front" looks at how the ideology of the Rodina (Russ: Motherland) party has evolved; p 2 (500 words).

8. Viktor Litovkin article headlined "Vladimir Putin inspects generals" says that President Putin has visited the Main Command Post of the General Staff and has ordered for the new missile detection radar Voronezh-DM to become operational; p 2 (500 words).

9. Lidia Orlova article headlined "Russian Orthodox Church drawn into 'plane case'" says that the presidential administration has had to provide explanations why Patriarch of Moscow Kirill has used a presidential plane to go on a visit to China; p 2 (500 words).

10. Ivan Rodin article headlined "On behalf of Russian Federation one has to wait" says that officials and deputies tend to follow the rulings of the Constitutional Court selectively; p 3 (700 words).

11. Yury Paniyev article headlined "Carte blanche: Obama balances liberal secretary of state with conservative aide" says that U.S. President Barack Obama has named Susan Rice as the national security advisor instead of Tom Donilon which may alter the style of U.S. foreign policy; p 3 (700 words).

12. Igor Naumov article headlined "Pirates to be retrieved from web" says that a news conference to discuss the drafting of bill on countering internet piracy set for 6 June had to be cancelled over differences on the issue IT-companies and Internet services providers have pointed out; p 4 (700 words).

13. Vladimir Gurvich article headlined "Who to receive Siberia" says that the development of Russia's eastern regions must become the main political and economic project; p 5 (2,000 words).

14. Viktor Litovkin article headlined "Russia will never have contract-based army" contemplates on what makes it impossible to switch to a contract-based army in Russia; p 7 (600 words).

15. Svetlana Gamova article headlined "Moldova gives up common victory" says that the Moldovan parliament has refused to discuss preparations for the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II and comments on the trend; p 7 (500 words).

16. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "U.S. special services conduct surveillance of millions of countrymen" says that U.S. human rights activists are concerned with intruding surveillance of the National Security Agency over telephone conversations. Experts note the problem is even more acute in Russia; p 8 (500 words).

17. Yevgeny Grigoryev article headlined "EU shows 'loaded gun' to Beijing" says that as Brussels has introduced prohibitory duties on Chinese solar energy products, a trade war cannot be ruled out; p 8 (500 words).

Vedomosti

1. Margarita Papchenkova article headlined "Privileges for millionaires" says that the Finance Ministry intends to extend tax privileges for investors in stock market; pp 1, 5 (700 words).

2. Editorial headlined "Fighting tolerance" looks at amendments aimed at protecting children against harmful information, including propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations; pp 1, 6 (400 words).

3. Maria Zheleznova article headlined "Without Kasparov" says that member of the opposition Coordination Council Garry Kasparov has stated at a news conference in Geneva that he is going to postpone his return to Russia and stay abroad for the time being. Photos and captions published next to the article tell readers about dissidents who have decided not to come back to Russia in the near future; pp 1, 3 (400 words).

4. Anastasia Kornya article headlined "Court is no place for defense" comments on the Bolotnaya case trial that was held on 6 June. During the hearings the judge reportedly said that the courtroom is not for conversations between defendants and their lawyers; p 2 (400 words).

5. Svetlana Bocharova article entitled "It's easy to withdraw mandate" says that it is not only the State Duma but the Supreme Court that will be able to deprive deputies of mandates; p 3 (400 words).

6. Editorial headlined "Front monopoly" speculates on the initiative of Business Russia and the All-Russia People's Front for competition to appear in Russia; p 6 (300 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Ariadna Rokossovskaya interview with Italian ambassador to Russia Antonio Zanardi Landi headlined "Schengen for Pushkin"; pp 1, 7 (600 words).

2. Article by Valery Vyzhutovich headlined "Sensitive issue" says that Moscow has had to replace Russian consul general to the Crimea Vladimir Andreyev over his careless statements; p 2 (600 words).

3. Sergei Toporkov article headlined "Standby reactor" features experts' comments on the upcoming congress of the All-Russia People's Front, the role and functions it may acquire; p 5 (500 words).

4. Vladislav Vorobyev article headlined "Baltic emotions" says that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has summed up the outcomes of Russia's chairmanship at the Council of Baltic Sea States; p 6 (400 words).

5. Natalya Kozlova article headlined "To terror by taxi" says that law-enforcers have detained the leader of a group plotting terrorist attacks in Moscow; p 6 (400 words).

6. Tamara Mikhaylova article headlined "Marriage over" says that President Vladimir Putin and his wife have announces their divorce; p 3 (100 words).

7. Vladimir Fedosenko article headlined "Bolotnaya behind glass" says that the Moscow City Court has resumed hearings on Bolotnaya case in line with which 12 people are charged with organizing mass riots in Bolotnaya Square on 6 May 2012; p 7 (300 words).

8. Vasily Makhrovskyand Vladimir Snegirev article headlined "Turkish gambit" contemplates on reasons behind mass protests in Turkey; p 8 (1,900 words).

Izvestia

1. Boris Mezhuyev article headlined "Open divorce" refers to the president's announcement of his divorce as a risky and daring move; pp 1, 4 (400 words).

2. Dmitry Yevstifeyev article headlined "Ex-Rosbank head's case acquires new victims" says that new charges have been pressed against former chairman of board of Rosbank Vladimir Golubkov; pp 1, 3 (700 words).

3. Yulia Tsoy and Anton Mordasov article headlined "All-Russia People's Front to ban membership of public organizations" looks at some provisions of the regulations the All-Russia People's Front is expected to adopt at its congress on 11-12 June; pp 1, 2 (700 words).

4. Petr Kozlov article entitled "Regions to be offered direct presidential rule" on a lawmaker's initiative for direct rule from the Kremlin to be introduced in emergencies if need be; pp 1, 4 (700 words).

5. Svetlana Subbotina interview with lawmaker Ilya Ponomarev headlined "Vekselberg fears to meet me" on the developments in the Skolkovo saga; p 4 (700 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Yekaterina Sazhneva article headlined "Terrorist's corpse detained alive" provides details of the detention of the leader of militants preparing terrorist attacks in Moscow on 9 May and talks to the leader's mother; pp 1, 6 (400 words).

2. Article by Mikhail Rostovsky headlined "Why Kasparov begins 'spreading rumours'" comments on Garry Kasparov's announcement that he is not going to return to Russia for fear he might not be allowed to leave it when he wants; pp 1, 2 (700 words).

3. Lina Panchenko article headlined "'Bolotnaya' judge working for Putin" looks at the first day of hearing in the Bolotnaya case; p 2 (300 words).

4. Yelena Korotkova interview with Oleg Gariga, a man arrested during an anti-government protest in Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad on 6 May 2012, who is to be paid a compensation in accordance with the Saratov regional court ruling; p 2 (400 words).

Novaya Gazeta

1. Irek Murtazin report "Secrets of arrest of No. 1 cyber criminal" looks at Pavel Vrublevskiy, general manager of the company Chronopay, charged with a DDoS attack on the airline Aeroflot. He has refused to cooperate with the Federal Security Service. The newspaper expresses bewilderment at the fact that it is the FSB that is dealing with a DDoS attack case; pp 1-3 (1,400 words).

2. Irina Gordiyenko report "Moscow did not bargain" says that there is a theory that the Kremlin offered an option to Said Amirov, the arrested mayor of the capital of Dagestan Makhachkala, to resign without a scandal; p 4 (450 words).

3. Semen Novoprudskyreport "Putin's seven strikes" says that the Russian politics can be described as militaristic rhetoric with a demonstration of blind devotion to the commander-in-chief as the authorities want to survive whatever the cost; p 5 (600 words).

4. Anastasia Lvova report "Democracy with filter" says that the website of Russian public initiatives has just begun to work while the makeup of its managing body and transparency of the voting procedure raise doubts; p 8 (1,200 words).

RBK Daily

1. Yulia Yakovleva report "When I become governor..." features comments of candidates for Moscow Region governor on the problems facing the region and what should be done to solve them. Civil Platform leader Mikhail Prokhorov says that his party will not stand in the election because it is impossible to overcome the municipal filter of United Russia; p 2 (750 words).

2. Svetlana Makunina report "Deportation of Madonna" says that amendments to the anti-gay bill will be proposed prior to the second reading of the bill in the State Duma. The amendments suggest, among other things, that foreigners should be punished for attempts to protect sexual minorities in Russia, article says; p 2 (800 words).

Noviye Izvestia

1. Dmitry Selyavin report "Tricky move" says that according to polls conducted by the newspaper and the pollster Levada Center, the number of Russians who want to emigrate is growing; pp 1-2 (300 words).

2. Yulia Savina report "Bolotnaya trial begins in Moscow City Court" says that Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky district court has begun to hear the so-called Bolotnaya case of people charged with being involved in mass disturbances and using force against police in Moscow's Bolotnaya square on 6 May 2012; p 2 (200 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda

1. Viktor Baranets report "St Andrew Flag in Mediterranean again" says that Putin has visited the Main Command Post of the General Staff; p 2 (350 words).

2. Alexander Grishin report "Russia ill with 'time to leave'" says that according to a Levada Center poll, United Russian in five wants to emigrate; p 5 (600 words).

3. Alexander Boyko report "Leader of bandits, who prepared terrorist attacks in Moscow, detained" says that Yulai Davletbayev, leader of an international terrorist group, has been detained in Moscow Region; p 8 (550 words).

Tvoy Den

1. Anton Anisimov report "Here's another for their ranks" says that two more people suspected of large-scale fraud, have been arrested in the case of the Defense Ministry's company Oboronservis; p 2 (400 words).

Trud

1. Sergei Frolov report "Who is last one for mayor?" says that acting Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has no serious rivals in the upcoming mayoral election set for September; p 1 (550 words).

2. Mikhail Alexanderov report "There are two global drug producing centers in world" looks at the international drug enforcement conference held in Moscow; p 2 (500 words).

Related articles:

• What the Papers Say, June 6, 2012
• What the Papers Say, June 5, 2012
• What the Papers Say, June 4, 2012