What the Papers Say, Sept. 28, 2012

Kommersant

1. Dmitry Butrin et al. article headlined "Budget Yields Unnoticeably" says that the government has rejected practically all initiatives put forward by the Kremlin as regards the 2013-15 federal budget. The State Duma will debate the latter in October and may take into account the Kremlin's missed considerations; pp 1, 6 (1,086 words).

2. Anastasia Gorshkova and Anna Zanina article headlined "Mikhail Chernoy Weighs All Lawsuits" says the criminal proceedings initiated by businessman Mikhail Chernoy against aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska in the London High Court have been dismissed because the sides have come to an agreement; p 1 (702 words).

3. Yegor Popov interview with the head of state corporation Rostekhnologii, Sergey Chemezov, headlined "'We Can Well Compete With Mercedes'," in which he speaks about the purchase of a controlling stake in car plant AvtoVAZ by the Renault-Nissan car alliance; pp 1, 13 (3,022 words).

4. Vladislav Trifonov and Yekaterina Gerashchenko article headlined "Sergey Polonsky Falls Into Non-Mile" says that criminal proceedings have been initiated over large-scale fraud during the construction of a housing compound by the Mirax Group. The company's former co-owner Sergey Polonsky believes that shareholder conflict is behind the case; pp 1, 4 (687 words).

5. Andrei Kolesnikov report headlined "Knowledge Without Grief" says that President Vladimir Putin has met with Ryazan region delegates, who told him about the state of affairs in the region and praised acting Governor Oleg Kovalyov as a good manager; p 2 (819 words).

6. Maxim Ivanov article headlined "Valery Zorkin Not to Allow to Unleash Nuclear Country" says that at an international conference dedicated to the role of political parties in democratic society, Constitutional Court chairman Valery Zorkin has warned against establishing ethnic or religious political parties as this may split society or cause a civil war, which is fraught with serious consequences for the nuclear power; p 2 (690 words).

7. Sofya Samokhina article headlined "Business Activities of 3 United Russia Members to Be Checked Captiously" says that the State Duma commission for control over deputies' income and property declarations has asked law enforcement and tax agencies to carry out a check on three United Russia members suspected of combining business activities with deputy work; p 2 (636 words).

8. Nikolai Sergeyev article headlined "Policemen to Be Taken Under Investigation" gives an account of a meeting of the Investigative Committee at which cooperation between investigators and policemen was debated; p 4 (542 words).

9. Grigory Tumanov article headlined "Policemen Break Through Self-Defense" says the Supreme Court has ruled that people cannot act in self-defense against police even if officers take measures posing a threat to their health. Human rights activists say that riot police have thus been authorized to beat opposition activists at rallies; p 4 (586 words).

10. Andrei Kolesnikov report headlined "Rule of Budget Accord" focuses on a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at which work on the 2013-15 federal budget was discussed among other things; p 6 (733 words).

11. Pavel Tarasenko article headlined "Sergei Naryshkin Declines PACE Amendments" says that State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin has refused to go to Strasbourg to take part in a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that opens on Oct. 1 because of alleged anti-Russian sentiments among the PACE leadership and foreign delegates; p 7 (536 words).

12. Kirill Belyaninov et al. article headlined "Rebutting Arguments Found for European ABM System" says the U.S. National Reconnaissance Council has advised the White House to give up deployment of SM-3 interceptors in Poland and build a section of the missile defense system in the U.S., as this will help reduce costs 10-fold and prevent U.S.-Russian relations from worsening; p 7 (665 words).

13. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Russia to Command U.S. Military Men" says that the U.S. plans to ask the UN to authorize troop deployment in Afghanistan after 2014, thus agreeing to Moscow's demand for a proper resolution; p 7 (619 words).

14. Vladislav Novy report "Rostelecom to Push Forward Property" says that Natalya Albrekht, formerly deputy general director of STS Media, has become vice president of state-controlled telecommunications company Rostelecom; p 9 (600 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1. Sergei Kulikov article headlined "Central Bank and Finance Ministry Get Confused With Streams" says the Central Bank continues to study capital inflow and capital flight in Russia, whereas the Finance Ministry has demanded that this activity be stopped, since capital movements are usual banking practice; pp 1, 4 (788 words).

2. Vladimir Mukhin article headlined "Nuclear Umbrella for Arctic Region" says that Russia is strengthening defense and security at a former nuclear range on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Sub-critical nuclear tests to determine safety of nuclear ammunition may be resumed there; pp 1-2 (784 words).

3. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "Supreme Court Bans Self-Defense at Rallies" says the Supreme Court has ruled that self-defense should not be argued by people clashing with policemen dispersing rallies. Meanwhile, a scandal is escalating over a statement made by the head of the Rostov region directorate of the Federal Security Service that fair elections should be referred to as extremism; pp 1, 3 (602 words).

4. Gleb Postnov article headlined "Kazan Imam Declares War on Debauchery" says that Muslims in the republic of Tatarstan plan to ask the local prosecutor's office to ban advertising banners depicting half-dressed people on the grounds that they deprave young people; pp 1, 6 (424 words).

5. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Kremlin Offered to Change Ideology" gives an account of a meeting of the so-called Izborsky Club, a think tank that drafts ideology for the Kremlin, and says the club is preparing a report for Putin; pp 1, 3 (766 words).

6. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "No Cheap Russian Gas for CIS" looks at the agenda of a meeting of the CIS prime ministers in Yalta today; focuses on the planned Russian-Ukrainian gas talks and features experts' comments on the issue; pp 1, 7 (1,119 words).

7. Yury Paniyev article headlined "BRICS Countries Take Common Stand on Syria" looks at the UN General Assembly session in New York, focusing on a ministerial meeting of the BRICS member states, at which the situation in the Middle East and North Africa was discussed; p 2 (669 words).

8. Editorial headlined "Businessmen Protected From Prosecution. On Paper" says that mass prosecution of businessmen has become a problem in Russia and looks at measures being taken by the government to improve the situation; p 2 (425 words).

9. Vyacheslav Danilov article headlined "Inside and Outside 'Dialogue With Residents'" looks at the mayoral election campaign in the Moscow region town of Khimki, focusing on the frontrunner United Russia candidate Oleg Shakhov's surprising success in consolidating local public organizations around him; p 3 (715 words).

10. Ivan Rodin article headlined "State Duma Acknowledged Glass House" says that three United Russia members will be additionally checked for combining business activities with deputy work. However, it is more probable that all State Duma factions will come to an agreement and decide to stop mutual disclosures; p 3 (755 words).

11. Anastasia Bashkatova article headlined "Poland Tired of Gazprom" says that according to a report made by British-American research company PMR, Poland is so rich in shale gas that it can give up Russian gas supplies for the next 30 to 50 years; p 4 (793 words).

12. Mark Neimark article headlined "Positive Nature, Creativity and Effectiveness" contemplates Russia's image in the world; p 5 (1,243 words).

13. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "Beijing and Tokyo Cool Passions Around Islands" says that China and Japan have held talks within the framework of the UN General Assembly session in New York, which indicates that the sides have switched to a more restrained stance concerning their territorial dispute; p 8 (557 words).

14. Darya Tsilyurik article headlined "U.S. Prepares for Cyber Arms Race" says the U.S. Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will meet contractors to discuss technology for waging a cyber war. Experts fear that the move will give the green light to a global cyber arms race; p 8 (760 words).

Vedomosti

1. Alexandra Terentyeva et al. article headlined "Deripaska Reconciles With 'Krysha'" says that UC Rusal co-owner Oleg Deripaska and businessman Mikhail Chernoy, who were involved in legal proceedings in the London High Court, have signed an amicable agreement; pp 1, 8 (885 words).

2. Alexei Nikolsky and Polina Khimshiashvili article headlined "Some $4.3Bln From Iraq" says that according to an Iraqi news agency, during the Iraqi prime minister's forthcoming visit to Russia in early October, military contracts worth about $5 billion may be concluded; pp 1-2 (535 words).

3. Alexander Gubsky article headlined "Europe Falls Into Pessimism" says that the European car market stagnated this year and no progress is expected to be made during at least the next two years; p 1 (497 words).

4. Editorial headlined "Moscow for Muscovites" criticizes the Moscow city authorities for recent initiatives differentiating newcomers from native Muscovites; pp 1, 4 (575 words).

5. Yelizaveta Sergina article headlined "First in Fourth Generation" says that mobile phone operator MegaFon plans to launch a 4G communications network in 40 cities by the end of the year since it is the only one that has an agreement with the Skartel company, which owns the necessary frequencies. However, the Federal Antimonopoly Service has become interested in the issue; p 7 (599 words).

6. Maria Zheleznova et al. article headlined "Fees Returned to Sobchak" says the Investigative Committee will return money seized from opposition activist Kseniya Sobchak as part of the probe into the May 6 unrest on Bolotnaya Ploshchad. The tax authorities have no claims to this effect; p 2 (341 words).

7. Editorial headlined "License for Violence" says the Supreme Court has given law enforcement agencies a free hand to uncontrollably use violence by its ruling that self defense should not be argued by demonstrators who clash with policemen dispersing protest rallies; p 4 (271 words).

8. Sergei Guriyev article headlined "Innovation: Why Russia Needs Innovation Development Institutes" contemplates Russia's need for innovation; p 4 (642 words).

9. Ksenia Boletskaya et al. report "Ura.ru Searched" says that law enforcement bodies have raided offices of the Ura.ru news agency in Yekaterinburg; p 10 (500 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Vladislav Kulikov article headlined "Until What Is Rebuff?" comments on the Supreme Court's controversial ruling on self-defense; pp 1, 3 (794 words).

2. Marina Gritsyuk interview with Yury Gertsy, the head of the Federal Labor and Employment Service (Rostrud), headlined "Autumn in Normal Mode," in which he speaks about the situation on the Russian labor market; pp 1, 3 (614 words).

3. Andrei Shitov article headlined "Cellmates Are Quiet and Friendly" features notes written by arms dealer Viktor Bout, serving a sentence in a U.S. prison, about his prison conditions; pp 1, 8 (800 words).

4. Valery Vyzhutovich article headlined "Portfolio Evolution" comments on yet another attempt to reduce the number of state officials in Russia being made by the Finance Ministry; p 3 (664 words).

5. Anna Fedyakina article headlined "Moscow Ready for Criticism" says that an unprecedentedly harsh resolution against Russia will be submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Oct. 2; p 8 (700 words).

6. Boris Yamshanov interview with Federation Council Senator Alexander Savenkov, headlined "Bribe With Recording," who speaks about the fight against corruption in Russia; p 17 (1,774 words).

Izvestia

1. Ivan Cheberko article headlined "Contractor for Cosmodrome Selected Without Competition" says the Federal Space Agency has already held the main tenders on construction of infrastructure facilities for the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region; pp 1, 4 (646 words).

2. Alexander Gudkov article headlined "Rosneftegaz Does Not Want to Pay Gazprom's Bills" says that gas giant Gazprom is not in a hurry to buy the gas asset it is managing, Kamchatgazprom, which is on the brink of bankruptcy, from Rosneftegaz; pp 1, 4 (509 words).

3. Dina Ushakova report "Chechnya Accuses Finance Ministry of Mistake" says that according to a Finance Ministry report, the real budget supply totaled 107 percent in Chechnya in 2012, which means that the republic is a donor to the federal budget. However, Chechen finance officials say this is a mistake; pp 1, 4 (600 words).

4. Vadim Taktarov article headlined "Security Officers' Political Reliability to Be Checked on Lie Detector" says the Federal Security Service has toughened selection rules for newcomers: from now on, they are obliged to pass polygraph tests; p 2 (604 words).

5. Polina Potapova article headlined "Federation Council's TV Channel to Broadcast From Capital Cities" says the Federation Council has approved a decision to establish its own Internet TV; p 2 (357 words).

6. Anastasia Kashevarova and Gaidar Batyrkhanov article headlined "Ksenia Sobchak Gets Money Seized During Search Back" says the Investigative Committee has returned money seized from opposition activist Ksenia Sobchak as part of the probe into unrest at a May 6 opposition rally on Bolotnaya Ploshchad; p 2 (644 words).

7. Sergei Ivanov report "Satellite Reconnaissance Liana to Begin Operating in 2013" looks at Russia's new satellite reconnaissance system; p 2 (600 words).

8. Anton Lednev and Lilia Tsoi article headlined "Tarnavsky Is Temporary Substitute for Gudkov" says that the deputy seat vacated by A Just Russia Deputy Gennady Gudkov following the State Duma's decision to oust him has been handed over to A Just Russia member Alexander Tarnavsky; p 3 (439 words).

9. Darya Mazayeva article headlined "Chirikova Complains About Lack of Support" says that Yevgenia Chirikova, a mayoral nominee in the Moscow region town of Khimki, has complained about the use of administrative resources by the ruling United Russia party and a lack of support from opposition activists; p 3 (577 words).

10. Mikhail Vignansky interview with the head of the Georgian parliament's committee on diaspora and Caucasus issues, headlined "'There Is No Way Out in Russian-Georgian Relations So Far'," in which he speaks about prospects for Russian-Georgian relations after the parliamentary election in Georgia on Oct. 1; p 5 (419 words).

11. Yury Matsarsky article headlined "Civil War Transforms Into Information One" says the UN Security Council meeting on the Syrian issue has not yielded any results, as Russia and China continue to oppose a new anti-Syria resolution, whereas the U.K., France and the U.S. continue insisting on the introduction of sanctions; p 5 (463 words).

12. Anton Lednev article headlined "NDI and Ford Fund to Continue USAID's Work in Russia" says that USAID, which will end its work in Russia at the Foreign Ministry's demand, will continue implementing its programs in Russia with the help of its partners; p 5 (468 words).

13. Stanislav Khatuntsev comment headlined "Far Eastern Round Dances" looks at the territorial row between China, Japan and Taiwan over a group of islands in the East China Sea that has recently escalated; p 7 (843 words).

14. Anna Fyodorova article headlined "Pain of Emptiness" contemplates the new movement Existential Russia, its goals and origin; p 7 (741 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Yeva Merkacheva article headlined "Resistance Found to Be Useless" features comments by an opposition politician and a Supreme Court judge on the court decision on self defense; pp 1, 3 (549 words).

2. Yevgeny Krasnikov article headlined "It Would Have Been Better If People Had Chosen" ridicules the official slogan of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi; pp 1, 20 (688 words).

3. Anastasia Rodionova article headlined "Lyudmila Alexeyeva: 'Censorship to Be Introduced Tonight'" says that the Federal Mass Media Inspection Service will deal with the registry of blacklisted websites and will be in charge of blocking them. Human rights activists fear that total censorship will be introduced; p 2 (442 words).

4. Mikhail Zubov article headlined "Mironov Told MK About Situation With Gudkov's Deputy Seat" looks at a meeting held by the Just Russia party to decide on the future of a deputy seat vacated by Gennady Gudkov; p 2 (573 words).

5. Marina Ozerova article headlined "Billionaire Has Bad Ink" says the State Duma continues to study deputies' income declarations to check their credibility; p 2 (759 words).

6. Marina Lemutkina article headlined "Patriarch's Visit to MGU Causes Scandal" says that students from Moscow State University (MGU) have complained about being compelled to attend a meeting in which Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill will take part; p 3 (425 words).

7. Stanislav Belkovsky article headlined "Temporary Madness" comments on the abolition of winter time in Russia; p 3 (1,181 words).

8. Anastasia Kuzina interview with scientist Olga Zelenina, detained on suspicion of drug smuggling, headlined "'There Is Nothing to Accuse Me of'," in which Zelenina describes her detention; p 5 (1,772 words).

Novaya Gazeta

1. Yulia Latynina article headlined "Not Great Inquisitors" comments on the State Duma's initiative to introduce criminal responsibility for insulting believers' feelings; p 3 (692 words).

2. Nina Petlyanova article headlined "Shame and Conscience of State Duma" focuses on illegal dealings with land plots by the head of the State Duma ethics commission, Vladimir Pekhtin, of the United Russia party; pp 1-3 (1,289 words).

RBC Daily

1. Svetlana Makunina article headlined "Deputies Dissociate Themselves From 'Golden Pretzels'" says that the head of the State Duma ethics commission Vladimir Pekhtin of United Russia has suggested introducing criminal liability for defaming deputies regarding their income declarations; p 2 (450).

Noviye Izvestia

1. Nadezhda Bulanova article headlined "Mitrofanov Has a Competitor" says that Andrei Tumanov from A Just Russia has been nominated to compete against Alexei Mitrofanov for the post of the head of the State Duma's media relations committee; p 2 (200 words).

2. Nadezhda Krasilova article headlined "Duma Speaker Boycotts PACE" says that State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin is not going to Strasbourg for a PACE meeting, as he does not want to hear criticism as regards the Pussy Riot case and trials against human rights activists; p 2 (300 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda

1. Dmitry Smirnov article headlined "We'll Have to Count Every Kopeck" comments on the draft budget prepared by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's government, which Medvedev discussed at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin; p 2 (400 words).

2. Dmitry Smirnov article headlined "Defense Order Will Not Go Overseas" looks at a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Oleg Kovalyov, the acting head of Ryazan region, and residents of the region, at which issues of defense, families with multiple children, and youth upbringing were discussed; p 2 (500 words).

3. Alexander Byko article headlined "Cash Returned to Ksenia Sobchak" says the Investigative Committee has not found any violations in Sobchak's tax bills and returned the money previously withdrawn during a search of her flat; p 5 (150 words).

4. Alexei Yeremenko article headlined "A Just Russia Makes Strike at Mitrofanov" quotes State Duma Deputy Alexei Mitrofanov as saying that his former colleagues from the Just Russia party are trying to prevent him from heading the new Duma media relations committee by disseminating damaging information; p 5 (500 words).

5. Mikhail Kosov article headlined "Navalny Did Not Hold Answer for His Words" comments on a meeting between the VTB Bank advisory committee and Alexei Navalny after the latter accused the bank of stealing part of his money from a deal with drilling machines; p 11 (700 words).

Krasnaya Zvezda

1. Andrei Gavrilenko and Alexander Tikhonov article "Thunder in Arctic Latitudes" comments on large-scale military exercises to the north of the Arctic Circle; p 2 (1,100 words).

2. Anna Potekhina interview with Khabarovsk region head Vyacheslav Krot; pp 4-5 (1,400 words).

Sept. 28, 2012/BBC Monitoring/©BBC

Related articles:

• What the Papers Say, Sept. 27, 2012
• What the Papers Say, Sept. 26, 2012
• What the Papers Say, Sept. 25, 2012