Russia 101026 Basic Political Developments

Telephone conversation with President of Sudan Omar Bashir

October 25, 2010, 17:00

Dmitry Medvedev and Omar Bashir discussed reconciliation in Sudan on the eve of a historically important stage in the nation’s development – Southern Sudan’s referendum on independence, scheduled for early January 2011.

The President of Sudan gave a positive assessment of Russia’s efforts to promote finding a resolution to existing problems.

In turn, Dmitry Medvedev emphasised Russia’s readiness to continue working actively with Sudan within the framework of the international community’s efforts, which must be impartial, well-balanced, and based on constructive cooperation with Khartoum. At the same time, Mr Medvedev noted that timely elections serve the long-term interests of Sudan and the entire region, and in this regard, supported Omar Bashir’s repeated statements about holding the referendum as scheduled.

During the conversation, the presidents expressed their support for strengthening trade and economic ties between their nations and discussed specific areas for this kind of cooperation.

October 25, 2010, 17:00

Ethiopia praises Russia role in region, relations - MFA

http://jimmatimes.com/article/Latest_News/Latest_News/Ethiopia_praises_Russia_role_in_region_relations_MFA/33811
Published 10/26/2010 - 12:50 a.m. GMT
SOURCE: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"Core principles of Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy: Ethiopia-Russia relations"

Ethiopia and Russia have longstanding historical relations going back to the period of the Russian Czar Machilovich, the father of Peter the Great, in the 17^th century. It is also recorded that Alexander Pushkin, a renowned Russian writer, was a grandson of Abraham Hannibal,an Ethiopian who lived in Russia. Other early contacts between Russia and Ethiopia include the visit of an Ethiopian delegation sent by the Emperor Menilek II to Russia, and visits of several Russians to Ethiopia during Menilek’s reign, at least one of whom was given the title of Dejazmatch for his travels on behalf of the Emperor along Ethiopia’s southern boundaries. These contacts laid the foundation for the close relations of the two countries, based on mutual respect and friendship between the two peoples. And it is notable that regardless of the differing political systems that existed at various times, relations between them have continued close and friendly.

One demonstration of that friendship has been that Russia has always, and without fail, stood with Ethiopia whenever the sovereignty of Ethiopia was threatened. Russian solidarity with Ethiopia was first illustrated when the Russian Red Cross Society came to Ethiopia in 1896, at the time of the Battle of Adwa when Italy attempted to attack the country. It made an outstanding contribution in provision of medical supplies and care to the Ethiopian patriots on the battlefield and subsequently. Again, during the fascist invasion of Ethiopia in 1936, Russia was one of those countries which stood in solidarity with Ethiopia. It has done so on every occasion throughout the 20^th century whenever Ethiopia faced challenges to its sovereignty and its core national security interests. In short, the bonds that exist between Ethiopia and Russia have stood the test of time and proven their strength time and again.

The most important historical landmarks of Ethio-Russia historical relations visible in Addis Ababa are the large plot of land granted for the construction of a Russian mission after the Battle of Adwa, where the Russian Embassy is still located, and the establishment of the Russian Hospital, now the Balcha Memorial Hospital. Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Russia were upgraded to Embassy level when both countries opened their respective embassies in Addis Ababa and Moscow in 1956. While relations between Ethiopia and Russia continued throughout the Imperial era, they were much closer during the Marxist, military regime of the Derg when both counties belonged to same ideological camp. With the change of government in Ethiopia and the collapse of the Soviet Union, relations were placed on a different footing, but they remained warm and friendly. In recent years, there have been increased exchanges of visits of high level officials between the two countries. Major visits have included Prime Minister Meles’s trip to Moscow in December 2001 and Foreign Minister Seyoum in November 2007; former Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov came to Ethiopia in September 2002; and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov came here in September 2006.

In order to strengthen their economic ties further, the two countries established a Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific, Trade and Technical Cooperation in 1999. The Commission held its first meeting in Moscow; and the second in 2002 in Addis Ababa. The third, in February 2008, was in Moscow and the fourth will take place in Addis Ababa at the end of this year. The main areas of cooperation covered under the Joint Commission include energy, mining, transport, agriculture, education, health, tourism and telecommunications. Although these meetings have taken place at both expert and ministerial levels, the results have not been as extensive as hoped. There is also considerable potential for enhanced trade and investment. Three major agreements, on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, and Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment have been signed.

The major commodities Ethiopia exports to Russia include coffee, leather and leather products, and flowers. It imports industrial products, machinery, chemicals, and other capital goods from Russia. The trade balance favors Russia and the total trade volume of the two countries was nearly 2 billion birr in 2009. Currently, there are 23 investment projects registered in Ethiopia by Russian investors; 21 are in the pre-implementation stage, while two are under implementation. Total Russian investment in Ethiopia amounts to just over a billion birr as of August last year. Measures to expedite Russia’s ratification of the agreements on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment would help to further improve trade and investment relations. The priority areas of interest for Russian companies in Ethiopia include mining and mineral resources, oil and gas, gold, tantalum, heavy metals and platinum exploration as well as hydro and geothermal power generation. Russian companies have preferred to acquire mineral concessions rather than participating in international tenders. Given the long-standing relationship, and the priority that the RUS-AID program gives to ex-socialist countries, it is expected Ethiopia will be one of the priority countries for Russian development cooperation. The fight against terrorism is another area where the two countries do cooperate, and in this connection, Ethiopia is very appreciative of the highly effective cooperation in security areas which exists between the two countries. Equally, with the centuries of relationship, there is a lot more that can be done to further enhance our ties while fraternal relations between our two peoples continue to be anchored on a firm basis.

In the light of Russia’s historic interests in Africa, and its position in the UN Security Council, Ethiopia expects Russia to play an active role in issues relating to Africa in general and the Horn of Africa in particular. Indeed, Russian support for the Security Council sanctions imposed on Eritrea last December was decisive. It is in fact appropriate to express appreciation for Russia’s interest in the Horn of Africa. The appointment of a Special Envoy to Sudan also demonstrates the level of attention Russia has given to the sub-region, and there is no doubt that Russia could play a significant role in providing peace and stability in Somalia as well as Sudan.

Print Date : Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow Reza Sajjadi has said Tehran and Moscow have serious disagreements over Iran’s nuclear issue.

“Our approach and Russia’s toward this issue are completely two different approaches,” Sajjadi told ISNA news agency in an interview published on Monday.

Unfortunately, Russia has made a big mistake concerning Iran’s nuclear issue because it was influenced by West’s propaganda, he noted.

Russia was made to believe that there is no peaceful purpose behind Iran’s nuclear program and that is why it has distanced itself from the Islamic Republic, Iran’s top diplomat in Moscow stated.

Sajjadi went on to say that Iran and Russia have many commonalities and it is not prudent for Russia to distance itself from Iran.

Today Iran is helping to prevent the spread of terrorism in the Caucasus region as well as smuggling drugs to Russia, the diplomat added.

Asked about the Russian president’s recent remarks that Moscow is interested to expand ties with Europe and the U.S., he said Russia is concerned about the future of its economy.

Moscow believes that if it cannot improve its economy, it will face serious security problems to the extent that Russia will disintegrate into more separate republics, Sajjadi added.

The ambassador said Russia has been infused with the idea that it has no choice to develop its economy other than reinforcing its relationship with the West

Iran set to load fuel in Bushehr nuclear reactor

05:00 26/10/2010

Iran will start on Tuesday injecting fuel into the core of its first nuclear reactor at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the local media said citing a senior Iranian lawmaker.

"The Bushehr [nuclear] power plant's fuel will be transferred to the core of the reactor tomorrow [on Tuesday]," Press TV quoted Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, as saying on Monday.

"Despite policies which the U.S. and certain European countries have adapted to impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, we have been able to continue our development policies," the Iranian lawmaker said.

The Bushehr NPP in southern Iran was launched in August with the Russian assistance after decades of construction delays.

Under a bilateral agreement, which has received IAEA approval, Russia will initially operate the plant, supplying its fuel and taking away all the spent fuel for the next two or three years, but will eventually hand over full control to Iran.

Iran remains a target of criticism and sanctions over its controversial nuclear program, which the West claims could be an attempt to build a nuclear weapon.

However, as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Tehran insists its nuclear program is aimed at electricity generation and medical research.

The UN Security Council has approved four rounds of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.

The Bushehr project does not fall under these sanctions.

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti)

Fisheries Cooperation With Russia

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101026044109/Iran%20Fisheries%20Cooperation%20With%20Russia
26 October 2010
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia signed an agreement to expand cooperation in protection of fish species in the Caspian Sea.

The agreement was signed at the 6th meeting of Iran-Russia joint fisheries commission held this week in Tehran, Moj News Agency reported.

The two sides will cooperate in researches on Caspian Sea contaminators, fight against illegal fishing of sturgeons, facilitating aquatics imports and exports to and from the two countries, holding annual technical-scientific bilateral meetings on aquaculture and reviving aquatics resources in the Caspian Sea, and transfering know-how on sturgeon cultivation.

Russia will attend a meeting on Caspian Sea living resources on November 2-3, in Tehran. The meeting is aimed at expansion of regional cooperation in fighting against Red Tide in the Caspian Sea.

Russian side also should attend the commission's meeting on distribution of sturgeon exports quota to be held in Tehran on December 18-19, 2010.

Last week, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Amir Borqei said at a press conference in Astana that Iran could exchange its remarkable experiences in preserving sturgeon species with the Caspian Sea littoral states,

Iran has great experience in preserving sturgeon species and currently the work is being conducted to restore their population in the Caspian Sea, Borqei said.

"We have adopted a law to preserve sturgeon species. According to it, a six-month ban is imposed on fishing sturgeon", Trend News Agency quoted him as saying.

It should be noted that the sturgeon spawning occurs in the south of Caspian Sea, where people breed this fish.

Iran is making a great contribution to preserve ecology of the Caspian Sea, as a lot of rivers with clear mountain water run in it, he said.

There are no large industrial enterprises in the Caspian provinces of Iran, which would contaminate this part of the sea.

This is important given that sturgeon comes from the north to the south of the Caspian Sea.

According to the head of Iran's Fisheries Organization, Aminollah Taqavi Motlaq, Iran's sturgeon export quota in 2010 accounts for 45.01 percent of the five Caspian Sea littoral states' total quota and the country will export 38.744 tons of the sea food in the current year.

Iran has decided to decrease its quota by 8 percent, he added. Export quota is a restriction imposed by a government on the amount or number of goods or services that may be exported within a given period, usually with the intent of keeping prices of those goods or services low for domestic users.

© Iran Daily 2010

Israel, Russia prioritize economic cooperation - Israeli ambassador

http://en.rian.ru/world/20101026/161086379.html
07:02 26/10/2010

Israel and Russia give priority to the development of economic ties in their bilateral relations, the new Israeli ambassador to Russia said.

"The priorities are quite obvious and they mostly concern the development of economic cooperation," Dorit Golender said in an interview with Russia's Kommersant daily published on Tuesday.

According to the Israeli diplomat, bilateral trade in 2010 rose 70 percent year-on-year.

"We are primarily interested in natural resources, which we do not have," Golender said. "For instance, we buy diamonds from Russia and use the Russian technology to process them."

The Israeli ambassador also praised a 45-percent increase in the number of Russian tourists visiting Israel. About 380,000 Russians traveled to Israel in January-September 2010.

"I think it is a colossal achievement," she said.

Golender is a former journalist with more than 40 years of experience. She succeeded Ambassador Anna Azari, who worked in Russia for four years and went home on September 14.

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti)

Medvedev submits Russian-French agreement for ratification

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/10/26/28470798.html

Oct 26, 2010 09:41 Moscow Time

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted the Russian-French intergovernmental agreement on air cargo transit to Afghanistan to the State Duma for ratification. The news was posted Monday on the electronic database of the Russian Parliament’s lower house. Russia has signed similar agreements on cargo transit to Afghanistan with Germany and Spain.  

Medvedev submits agt with on military transit to Afghanistan for ratification

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15623308&PageNum=0

25.10.2010, 23.32

MOSCOW, October 25 (Itar-Tass) -- President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted to the State Duma the agreement with France on military air transit to Afghanistan for ratification.

The agreement creates a legal framework for air transit of French arms, military hardware and supplies, as well as troops and civilian personnel trough Russia’s airspace for participation in ISAF operations in Afghanistan.

Russia has similar agreements with Germany and Spain.

In July, chief of the Russian Army General Staff, General of the Army Nikolai Makarov said Russia would provide for the transit of military cargoes to the coalition force in Afghanistan.

Italy to get back 121 perished in WWII from Russia

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/10/26/28466189.html
Oct 26, 2010 02:50 Moscow Time
Tchkalovsky military airfield near Moscow will receive an Italian delegation on Tuesday.

It will collect and bring home the remains of 121 Italian soldiers who perished on the territory of the Soviet Union during WWII.

Six of the soldiers were identified.

Their families were informed of the findings.

Such ceremonies have been held in Russia since 1991.

Over the years, Italy acquired the remains of as many as 10542 soldiers 2799 of which were identified.

France ready to deliver helicopter carrier with transfer of technologies

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101026/161086955.html

09:29 26/10/2010

France's shipbuilder DCNS announced on Tuesday it is ready to deliver Mistral class helicopter carriers to Russia with built-in domestic navigation technologies.

"There are no restrictions [in the transfer of technology]," DCNS Director Pierre Legros told RIA Novosti.

The technology is French-made, a spokesman for the French Navy, Hugues du Plessis d'Argentre, said.

Russia and France are currently in talks on a so-called 2+2 scheme, whereby Russia will buy one or two French-built Mistrals and build another two at home. The contract is expected to be inked before the end of the year.

Legros said he did not rule out that Russia could build four Mistrals.

He added that the French-built Mistrals under the contract will be different from their domestic analogues.

They will have thicker take-off decks and firmer hulls so as to avoid breakage when navigating through ice.

The winner of a tender to deliver the Mistrals, which was called by Russia earlier this month, will be announced after November 4, Legros added.

"We are ready to receive the contract from November 4... and complete construction in 36 months," he said.

The Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.

LE BOURGET (France), October 26 (RIA Novosti)

Russia to announce helicopter carrier tender at Euronaval 2010

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101026/161085042.html
02:56 26/10/2010

Russia could announce a tender on the construction of two amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy at the Euronaval 2010 exhibition, which opened on Monday in Paris, the Vedomosti daily said.

Vedomosti said citing Russian defense sources that invitations to participate in a closed tender had been sent out to "all interested parties" and the winner of the tender could be announced as early as by the end of this year.

According to the Vedomosti sources, the participants of the tender include Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation in partnership with the French DCNS (Mistral class ship), the Nevski design bureau in St. Petersburg (Ivan Rogov class ship), S. Korea's STX company (Dokdo class ship), and Spain's Navantia company (Juan Carlos I class ship).

Experts believe that a French Mistral class amphibious assault ship is most likely to win the tender.

Moscow has been in talks with Paris on the purchase of a Mistral class warship on a 2+2 scheme whereby Russia will buy one or two French-built Mistrals and build another two under license domestically.

The two Mistrals built in France could cost Russia as much as 1 billion euros ($1.4 bln).

The Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.

The 22nd International Naval Defense & Maritime Exhibition and Conference (Euronaval 2010) is held at the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition center on October 25-29.

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosi)

Russian space freighter departs ISS on scientific mission

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20101026/161084447.html
00:34 26/10/2010

Russia's Progress M-05M cargo spacecraft was undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday to begin an independent scientific mission until November 15, a Mission Control spokesman said.

"The space freighter will continue an autonomous flight as a scientific laboratory until November 15 when it will be deorbited and 'buried' in a remote area in the southern Pacific," the official said.

The undocking of Progress M-05M clears the way for the launch of the Progress M-08M spacecraft on October 27 from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.

On October 30, Progress M-08M is expected to dock with the Pirs docking module vacated by Progress M-05M.

Progress-family freighters have been the backbone of the Russian space cargo fleet for decades. In addition to their main mission as cargo spacecraft, they are used to adjust the ISS's orbit and conduct scientific experiments.

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti)

Fragment of space garbage approaching ISS

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15623356

26.10.2010, 10.37

MOSCOW, October 26 (Itar-Tass) - A fragment of space garbage is approaching the International Space Station, and this, according to NASA specialists, may pose danger to the station and its crew.

“If specialists of the Russian Mission Control Centre (MCC) decide that the approaching has become dangerous, they will make an emergency correction of the ISS orbit,” centre’s spokesman Valery Lyndin told Tass on Tuesday. “The approach is called dangerous, if the possibility of a collision is 0.001 percent,” he added.

Although this percentage is very small, the ISS orbit will be corrected to avoid the dangerous object in order to ensure the safety of the station and the crew.

The decision on that will be made at about noon. In case it is necessary, MCC specialists will correct the orbit at about 14:25, Moscow time, on Tuesday.

Norway’s coast guard detains fish transport ship with Russian crew

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/10/26/28469703.html

Oct 26, 2010 09:26 Moscow Time

Norway’s coast guard has detained the Atlantic Lady fish transport ship with a Russian crew on board. On Monday the ship was taken to the Spitsbergen port of Longyear. The vessel is registered in the Central American state Belize, but the crew is all-Russian and the vessel was bound for Arkhangelsk. This came in a statement on Monday by an assistant to the Spitsbergen Governor Lars Fause. According to the official, the amount of fish on board was weighed after, rather than prior to splitting. It will most likely be unknown until Wednesday whether the Atlantic Lady has or has not violated the Norwegian law.    

Norwegian Coast Guard detains cargo ship with Russian crew

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15622809&PageNum=0

26.10.2010, 06.01

OSLO, October 26 (Itar-Tass) – Fish transport ship The Atlantic Lady was detained over the weekend by the Norwegian Coast Guard on suspicion of encroachments on the requirements for reporting.

Monday, the Coast Guard ship Barentshav convoyed The Atlantic Lady to the port of Longyearbyen on Svalbard.

The detained ship is registered in the Central American state of Belize but it has an all-Russian crew. At the time of detention, it was bound for the northern Russian port of Arkhangelsk, Svalbard governor’s aide Lars Fause said.

He indicated that most of the sea products in The Atlantic Lady’s holds were registered after fish splitting rather than prior to it as required, and according to the Norwegian side this means that the real weight of the catch has been understated by a few tons.

Fause said the ship’s captain has already been interrogated and the inspection will now embrace the trawlers that delivered fish to The Atlantic Lady for further transportation to Arkhangelsk.

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