Yavlinsky Will Go His Own Way
By Bulat Stolyarov, Vitaly Ivanov, Vedomosti, January 27, 2003
Yabloko sponsors have failed to persuade Grigory Yavlinsky that his party and the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) should combine their candidate lists for the parliamentary elections.

YABLOKO* Will Not Roll Towards the SPS
By Vladimir Ignatov, Trud, January 30, 2003
- It is difficult for the leaders of both the parties to find an acceptable coalition formula. YABLOKO's active voters remember only too well Gaidar's "shock therapy" and don't want to hear about the considered culprit Chubais.

Russia: Arctic Cold Leaves Tens Of Thousands Without Heat
By Gregory Feifer, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, January 9, 2003
Tens of thousands of people across Russia have been left without central heating as temperatures in some regions drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius and even lower. The cold is also taking lives -- mostly those of homeless people who freeze to death outside.

New link - the web-site of "The Charter of the New Democratic Coalition - the 20 Principle Platform for the Democratic Coalition" containing a broad-scale discussion of the draft platform for the democratic forces.

YABLOKO Does Not Sell Itself
By Anastasia Matveyeva, Gazeta, January 29, 2003
As Gazeta have already reported before, today the idea of a coalition between the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) and Yabloko can be forgotten.. Yesterday, on January 28, [Yabloko Leaders] Grigory Yavlinsky and Sergei Ivanenko forwarded to [SPS leaders] Boris Nemtsov and Irina Khakamada a letter, saying the SPS's proposals were unacceptable for Yabloko. The long-awaited meeting of the leaders of the two parties, scheduled for Wednesday, will not take place.

SPS and YABLOKO parties are too different to do Duma election deal
Ekho Moskvy, January 29, 2003
YABLOKO will not merge with the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) and will not form a joint list of candidates with the party in the run-up to the December 2003 parliamentary elections, the Deputy Head of YABLOKO faction in the State Duma, Sergey Ivanenko, said on Ekho Moskvy radio.

Liberals see no future for the parties on the right
By Ksenia Solyanskaya, gazeta.ru, January 29, 2003
After evaluating the prospects of the right of centre in the impending elections, liberals from the Yabloko Party announced that their leader Grigory Yavlinsky would not attend a Wednesday meeting with Boris Nemtsov. It looks as if Yabloko politicians believe they will get enough seats in the Duma, while the party of Chubais, Nemtsov and Khakamada will get none.

Yabloko and SPS - updated

State Duma elections 2003 - updated

Presidential elections 2004 - updated

No Yabloko-SPS Coalition in Polls
The Moscow Times, January 30, 2003
The country's top liberal parties, Yabloko and the Union of Right Forces, or SPS, will not run together in upcoming parliamentary elections, an SPS leader said Wednesday.

Yabloko and SPS - updated

On the Situation in Turkmenistan and the Position of the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia
Joint statement of YABLOKO and the Union of Right-Wing Forces factions, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, January 17, 2003
Developments over the past few months in Turkmenistan can only be termed political repressions aimed at oppressing the opponents of Saparamurat Niyazov and everybody who disagrees with the regime of Niyazov's personal power.

Arbatov, Lukin, Mitrochin, Zadornov,Artemiev - updated

To: Boris Nemtsov, Irina Khakamada
Letter from Grigory Yavlinsky and Sergei Ivanenko on SPS' proposals, January 28, 2003
As numerous media, including web-based publications, have already described your proposals in detail, thereby enabling us to learn about them, we no longer see any point in the meeting scheduled at your initiative for January 29, 2003.

US Omnipotence: What Lies Ahead?
World Economic Forum, Summary, January 25, 2003
In a frank and lively discussion, a sharply divided panel
debated the merits and scope of American power. While the question of war
clouds over Iraq was on everybody's mind, economic, cultural and political
as well as military aspects of American power were broached.

US Omnipotence: What Lies Ahead?
World Economic Forum, Discussion Panel (with Grigory Yavlinsky's speech) Saturday 25 January
Panellists:

Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia
Amre Moussa, Secretary-General, League of Arab States, Cairo
Marwan Jamil Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan
Grigory A. Yavlinsky, Member of the State Duma; Leader, Russian Democratic Party Yabloko, Russian Federation
Lewis H. Lapham, Editor, Harper's Magazine, USA
Robert Portman, Congressman from Ohio (Republican), USA
Jean-Marie Colombani, Editor, Le Monde, France

YABLOKO proposes that all the democratic forces discuss the draft platform for the democratic forces "Charter-20"
Press Release, January 27, 2003
Broad-scale discussion of the draft platform for the democratic forces "The Charter of the New Democratic Coalition - the 20 Principle Platform for the Democratic Coalition" is the goal of the Internet resource launched on Monday, January 27, 2003 at the www.hartia.ru domain..

All-Russia Democratic Assembly - updated

Davos Fights for Trust
By Igor Deryugin, Vesti, January 24, 2003
The World Economic Forum in Davos launched "Fight for Trust". That is the wording used to describe the topic of the present meeting. The world political and business elite perceives the situation around Iraq as the main threat to stability.

Tax Legislation - updated

YABLOKO proposes liquidating the Federal Service for Financial Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy (FSFRB)
Press Release, January 23, 2003
YABLOKO's deputies propose liquidating the Federal Service for Financial Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy (FSFRB). On Wednesday, January 22, 2003, deputies from the YABLOKO faction Igor Artemyev and Sergei Ivanenko submitted to the Duma a corresponding draft law "On Amendments and Addenda to the Federal Law "On Insolvency (Bankruptcy)".

Yabloko and SPS - updated

There Are Two Political Forces in Russia: the Communists and Putin
An interview with Viktor Militaryov, President of the Development Institute Foundation., Konservator No. 1,  January 17, 2003
At present, there are two political forces in Russia: the Communist Party and Putin. Moreover, people seem not to perceive any fundamental difference between the two. Most people view them as representing their interests, aimed at improving their lives as soon as possible. People hope for a better standard of living and are becoming more indifferent to oligarchs, and believe in a stronger state.

Yabloko and the SPS are of each other as Maskhadov and Putin
By Anastasiya Matveeva, Gazeta, January 24, 2003
Everybody can forget the idea of a merger between Yabloko and the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS). Yabloko, led by Grigory Yavlinsky, has issued a firm "no" to an offer from the SPS, delivered via some business leaders. In other words, next week's meeting between Yavlinsky and SPS leader Boris Nemtsov, dedicated to the merger issue, will probably be pointless.

The Whirlpool of Reforms, Structural reforms have obviously become unpopular with Putin's team
By Kirill Rogov, Vedomosti, December 2002
Today it is possible to say that the major structural reforms announced by the Putin administration when it came to power would be postponed until Putin's next term in office.

Davos Is Different Place In 2003
By Lynn Berry, The Moscow Times, January 27, 2003
DAVOS, Switzerland -- A year ago the World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of the world's business and political elite, had moved to New York to show solidarity with the United States after the attacks of Sept. 11. This year, with the WEF back in Davos and the world a different place, the United States has been the target of attacks.

Davos 2003. Schedule for Grigory Yavlinsky. "The Russian Issue."
Press Release, January 23, 2003
On January 23-26, 2003, Grigory Yavlinsky will participate in the meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which this year will be conducted under the slogan "Creating Trust".

Elections to the State Duma, 2003 - updated

YABLOKO against Corruption - updated

Yavlinsky Receives an Offer to Compete with the President
By Andrey Savitsky, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, January 24, 2003
Talks on a merger between Yabloko and the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) have reached a crescendo. We have learned the gist of some carefully- concealed proposals for a compromise merger between the SPS and Yabloko. In brief, the unification plan consists of the following. In the Duma elections the two parties would form a single bloc, with a common list of candidates.

Bankruptcy in YABLOKO’s Variant
By Oksana Karpova, Vremya MN, January 24, 2003
YABLOKO’s deputies are fighting against corruption. Russian parliament members propose liquidating one of the "bureaucrats’ pork barrel troughs - the Federal Service for Financial Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy (FSFRB).

Housing and communal reform - updated

On Immediate Anti-Crisis Measures for the Housing and Communal Services Sector
Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO, Statement, January 15, 2003
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses its deep concern in view of the series of disasters in the housing and communal services sector in many regions of Russia.

Nemtsov Would Like to Unite with Yavlinsky
The National Information Group, January 22, 2003
The leader of the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) Boris Nemtsov confirmed that he had forwarded to the leader of YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky his proposals on a possible union between the two parties for participation in parliamentary and presidential elections. "Our proposals were forwarded to Yavlinsky via an influential intermediary," noted Boris Nemtsov in an interview with Interfax on Wednesday.

YABLOKO Sister-Parties - updated

Relationships with Belarus - updated

Open Letter, January 16, 2003
Most respected Mr. President,
We are concerned about developments in the Republic of Belarus concerning Russian media. Broadcasts of Mayak (Ed. "Beacon"), Yunost (Ed. "Youth"), and Golos Rossii (Ed. "Voice of Russia") that have for many years constituted a key source of information for the citizens of Belarus, have been closed.

YABLOKO supports the proposal to adjourn examination of the package of draft laws on energy sector reforms
Press Release, December 17, 2002
The YABLOKO faction supported the initiative of the centrist factions of the Duma to adjourn examination of the package of draft laws on energy sector reforms from December 18, 2002, to a later period. (Archives)

YABLOKO thinks that the draft laws on energy sector reform require serious revision
Press Release, December 17, 2002
The draft laws on energy sector reforms require serious revision, as form they are absolutely unacceptable in their current form, and their adoption would lead to economic, political and social hardships," Deputy Head of the YABLOKO faction in the State Duma Igor Artemyev told journalists on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. (Archives)

YABLOKO thinks that the draft laws on energy sector reform require serious revision
RIA OREANDA, December 17, 2002
Moscow. "The draft laws on energy sector reforms require serious revision, as they are absolutely unacceptable in their current form, and their adoption would lead to economic, political and social hardships," Deputy Head of the YABLOKO faction in the State Duma Igor Artemyev told journalists on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. (Archives)

YABLOKO supports the proposal to adjourn examination of the package of draft laws on the energy sector reforms
Rosbalt Information Agency, December 17, 2002
Moscow, December 17, 2002. The YABLOKO faction supported the initiative of the centrist factions of the Duma to adjourn examination of the package of draft laws on the energy sector reforms from December 18, 2002, to a later period.

Petersburg Remembers Murdered Deputy
By Claire Bigg, St.Petersburg Times, November 22, 2002
Wednesday marked the fourth anniversary of the assassination of State Duma Deputy Galina Starovoitova, who was gunned down in the stairwell of her apartment building in St. Petersburg. (Archives)

Anatoli Golov hands to Vladimir Putin amendments to the law on housing and communal services sector reform protecting the rights of consumers of housing and communal sector services
Press Release, December 11, 2002
During the meeting between Vladimir Putin and members of the Human Rights Commission under the President of Russia Anatoli Golov, Co-Chairman of Consumers' Union of Russia, Director of the Institute of Social Policies of the YABLOKO party and member of the Federal Council of the YABLOKO party, handed to the head of state proposals on protection of the rights of consumers of housing and communal sector services.

On December 10, 2002, the State Duma Committee for Education and Science conducted parliamentary hearings devoted to the results of the second year of the experiment into a uniform state examination.
Press Release, December 10, 2002
Deputy Head of the State Duma Irina Khakamada, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science Alexander Shishlov, Minister of Education of the RF Vladimir Fillipov, representatives of the Federation Council of the RF, Russian Education Academy, Russia's Rectors' Union, Central Committee of the Trade Union of Education Workers, etc, participated in the hearings.

Russia and NATO - updated

Russia Is Not Afraid of NATO expansion
Baltic News Service, Vilnius, December 2, 2002
Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the leader of the opposition party YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky forecasts that after Lithuania enters NATO relationships between Russia and Lithuania will improve.

"A Separate Body for Lobbyists Should Be Created."
By Alexei Melnikov, member of the Duma Committee for Budget and Taxes (YABLOKO), Gazeta.ru, December 2, 2002
Such restrictions should not be abolished, otherwise the State Duma will be transformed into a banal shop for making money. Going into power a candidate, moreover a candidate from a one-mandate electoral district, should make a decision: either business or legislature. The fact that we in Russia cannot oppose deputies-lobbyists does not mean that we should eliminate the restrictions on business activity [for parliament members].

"Deputies do not have to be lawyers, but they should work as politicians, rather than businessmen."
By Sergei Mitrokhin, Deputy Head of the Duma Committee for Self-Government (YABLOKO), Gazeta.ru, December 2, 2002
The erratic actions of deputy Semyonov (Ed. on allowing parliament members to engage in business at the same time) represents a strange and irresponsible PR action. He proposes a barbarian variant [of the draft law] that will lead to a complete merger of the authorities and the oligarchs. The present prohibition on entrepreneurial activity [for deputies of the State Duma] is feeble, but it is still a prohibition that blocks oligarchisation of the legislative authority.

Grigory Yavilnsky: It is up to the President to choose
By Anton Mukhin, "Izvestiya Peterburg", December 6, 2002
On the threashold of the elections to the Legislative Assembly [of St.Petersburg] a rare guest - the leader of YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky - visited St. Petersburg and answered the questions of Izvestia's correspondent Anton Mukhin.

YABLOKO: Government plans to reduce taxes are insufficient
Press Release, December 05, 2002
YABLOKO welcomes the reduction of taxes announced at the session of the RF Government on December 5, 2002. However, YABLOKO considers these measures "intermediate and obviously insufficient". Such a statement was made by Deputy Head of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO, deputy of the State Duma Igor Artemyev.

YABLOKO concerned about forced return of refugees to Chechnya
Press Release, December 05, 2002
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses its deep concern regarding the prospects of the forced return of refugees residing in Ingushetia back to Chechnya. Such a statement to journalists was made by the Chairman of the party Grigory Yavlinsky.

YABLOKO's amendment to the Tax Code approved by corresponding State Duma committee.
Rosbalt Information Agency, December 17, 2002
The State Duma Committee for the Budget and Taxes approved the amendment of the deputies of the YABLOKO faction of the Duma Igor Artemyev, Sergei Ivanenko and Mikhail Zadornov into Chapter "Simplified Taxation System" of the Second Part of the Tax Code of the RF.

War in Chechnya (1996-2003) - updated

Return of the refugees residing in Ingushetia to Chechnya is inadmissible
Aliance Media, December 10, 2002
The leader of the YABLOKO party Grigory Yavlinsky said that the problem of refugees from Chechnya was discussed at the meeting of the Presidium of the Federal Council of the YABLOKO party. Earlier some human rights activists and journalists had informed the public that the Ingush authorities had made Chechen refugees leave the "Iman" camp. This information was subsequently refuted by Presidential Aid Sergei Yastrzhembsky.

But Yavlinsky Is the Best:
Aliance Media, December 10, 2002
Most of those polled by the Echo Moskvi radio station said that they would prefer to see Grigory Yavlinsky as a single candidate from the democratic forces [at presidential elections 2004], rather than Boris Nemtsov.

Person of the Year 2002
Uchitelskaya Gazeta, No 1, 2003
Member of the YABLOKO party Alexander Shishlov headed the State Duma Committee for Education and Science in April 2002. At the time his appointment provoked varying reactions (some people held that this was almost an attack on education), but now we can state for sure: Alexander Vladimirovich is as worthy an advocate of the interests of the sector, as his predecessor Ivan Melnikov.

Alexander Shishlov named "politician of the year for education"
Press Release, January 20, 2003
Experts from "Uchitelskaya Gazeta" newspaper ("Teachers' Newspaper") traditionally summarise the results of the year in education. The experts chose Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science Alexander Shishlov (YABLOKO faction) as "politician of the year 2002 for education". The competitors of Alexander Shishlov were Oleg Smolin, Valentina Matviyenko and even… Vladimir Putin.

Kasyanov Gives Duma The Cold Shoulder
By Alla Startseva, The Moscow Times, January 20, 2003
Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Friday skipped a State Duma session where he was supposed to report on government measures to fix heating in the regions.

Deputy Mitrokhin is satisfied with the results of the public inspection of Zheleznogorski mining-and-chemical complex. The wages of personnel of the nuclear-fuel cycle should be raised 2 or 3-fold.
Press Release, December 05, 2002
The public inspection performed in February 2002 by a deputy from the YABLOKO faction Sergei Mitrokhin at the Zheleznogorsk mining-and-chemical complex in the Krasnoyarsk Area yielded positive changes.

Sergei Shoigu refused to support the evacuation of people from territories contaminated by radiation
Press Release, December 05, 2002
Russia's Ministry of Emergencies does not support the amendment to the draft federal budget for 2003 proposed by deputies from the YABLOKO faction Sergei Mitrokhin and Igor Artemyev envisaging the allocation of ten million roubles for the evacuation of Tatarskaya Karabolka town, Chelyabinsk region. This is indicated in the official letter from Minister Sergei Shoigu obtained by Sergei Mitrokhin.

YABLOKO learns to be an environmental party
Aliance Media, December 10, 2002
The meeting between the representatives of environmental organisations from Tomsk and Chelyabinsk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory and the leaders of the YABLOKO party took place in the State Duma on December 3, 2002. YABLOKO was represented by chairman of the party Grigory Yavlinsky, as well as deputy chairmen, deputies of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin and Igor Artemyev.

Grigory Yavlinsky: YABLOKO learns to be an environmental party
Press Release, December 03, 2002
The meeting between the representatives of environmental organisations from Tomsk and Chelyabinsk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory and the leaders of the YABLOKO party took place in the State Duma on December 3, 2002. YABLOKO was represented by Chairman of the party Grigory Yavlinsky, as well as deputy chairmen, deputies of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin and Igor Artemyev.

Chelyabinsk Region. Representatives from the YABLOKO faction visit the "Mayak" plant
VolgaInform, December 16, 2002
A public inspection at the Zheleznogorsk mining-and-chemical complex in Krasnoyarsk Territory had positive changes. Let us remind you here that a commission headed by deputy from the YABLOKO faction Sergei Mitrokhin visited the complex in February, 2002. Now measures have been implemented to strengthen the security systems. The uncompleted shell of the RT-2 plant has been dismantled and a new concrete fence is being built.

Freedom or Property?
"Svobodni Kurs" (Free Course), Barnaul, December 12, 2002
Interview with Grigory Yavlinsky, by Elena Fyodorinova and Dmitri Negreev
At the request of "Svobodni Kurs" the leader of YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky shared with us his forecasts for the coming year.

Petersburg Votes With its Feet. Voter Turnout Determines Political Alignment in Northern Capital
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, By Yuriy Zvyagin,  December 10, 2002
So the St Petersburg Legislative Assembly elections have taken place. By Sunday [8 December] evening it had been possible to clear the 20-per cent barrier established by new legislation. Voter turnout amounted to 29.4 per cent. Contrary to expectations, it was also possible to obtain the necessary number of voters in all districts.

Russian MPs offer divided response to NATO expansion
RTR channel, "Parliamentary Hour" programme, December 14, 2002
Discussion of the impact of NATO expansion to Russia with Russian parliament members Vladimir Lukin, Konstantin Kosachev, Gennadi Zyuganov and Lyubov Sliska

Jailed Russian journalist Pasko wins reporting prize
Reuters, December 10, 2002
PARIS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Imprisoned Russian journalist Grigory Pasko was named by French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Tuesday as the winner of its 11th annual Fondation de France prize.

Putin's St Petersburg rival gains from election

Reuters, December 9, 2002
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, Dec 9 (Reuters) - An old adversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to have a good chance of gaining a third term as St Petersburg's governor after elections for a city assembly, his opponents conceded on Monday.

Insiders question if Russia-NATO bonding is little more than hype
AFP, December 8, 2002
Moscow and NATO have bonded over the past year, yet their true military relationship still stutters when the two Cold War foes try to do more than just talk, NATO-Russia experts here say.

Duma Succumbs to the Government's Version of Housing Sector Reform
gazeta.ru, By Marina Sokolovskaya, Artyom Eiskov, December 2, 2002
After concerted efforts by the government and the pro-Kremlin Duma majority, the much-disputed package of draft laws on reform of the nation's dilapidated and heavily subsidized housing and municipal utilities sector has eventually received the approval of the lower house. On Friday 244 deputies voted for the draft law, once again pledging unswerving allegiance to the Kremlin.

Mikhail Zadornov: the inflow of foreign capital into Russia may have an adverse impact on the country’s economy
RosBusinessConsulting, January 16, 2003
The inflow of foreign capital into Russia may have an adverse impact on the country’s economy. This opinion was expressed by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Budget and Tax Committee Mikhail Zadornov at a press conference today. According to Zadornov, as interest rates are low in the world and high in Russia, "foreign capital rates Russian assets as attractive."

Act of Terror in Moscow (25-27 october 2002) - updated
Admin, January 18, 2003

War in Chechnya (1996-2003) - updated
Admin, January 18, 2003

Grigory Yavlinsky: RAO UES is responsible for the crisis in the housing and communal services sector
Press Release, January 15, 2003
The leader of the YABLOKO party and its faction in the State Duma Grigory Yavlinsky noted that RAO UES "bears most of the responsibility for the crisis in the housing and communal services sector."

Russia should send the UN inspectors to North Korea
Press Release, January 13, 2003
"Russia should soon send a group of inspectors to North Korea to take control of all the nuclear materials of Russian origin disposed of by this country and develop recommendations as for their further destiny. All the materials that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction should be taken out of North Korea," said Deputy Head of the YABLOKO party, deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin.

Deputy of the Duma Alexander Shishlov named "the politician of the year for education"
MK-Novosti, January 11, 2003
Moscow, January 11. 2003 (MK-Novosti). The results of the contest "Politician of the Year for Education" have been announced. Experts from "Uchitelskaya Gazeta" newspaper ("Teachers' Newspaper") called Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science Alexander Shishlov (the YABLOKO faction) "the politician of the year 2002". This information comes from the press-service of the YABLOKO faction. The competitors of Alexander Shishlov were Oleg Smolin, Valentina Matviyenko and even Vladimir Putin.

How Free is the Man of the Year?
By Ludmila Telen, The Moscow News No 51, December 30, 2002
In 2002 the Moscow News opened a new section. Each of its protagonists could have become President of Russia. Vladimir Putin became the President of Russia. Here are some excerpts from the Moscow News publications on the man of the year.

The faction considers the cuts made to the "Freedom of Speech" programme (the NTV channel) for a broadcast on December 27, 2002, to be manifestation of political censorship.
Press Release, December 28, 2002
The faction considers the cuts made to the "Freedom of Speech" programme (the NTV channel) for a broadcast on December 27, 2002, to be manifestation of political censorship. Fragments containing criticism of the government's actions and pro-governmental factions of the State Duma made by Chairman of the Duma Committee for Education and Science and member of the YABLOKO faction Alexander Shishlov were cut out of the programme.

Duma Gears Up for Spring Session
By Natalia Yefimova, The Moscow Times, January 15, 2003
The State Duma churned into action this week after its winter recess with lawmakers focusing on a major redistribution of powers among federal, regional and municipal authorities -- the centerpiece of the last session before this year's parliamentary race hits full stride.

Energy Sector Reform - updated
Admin, January 16, 2003

Russia: A Cold Snap and Snapping Tempers
Russians call for change as heating systems collapse in the coldest winter in years--but the call for reform remains muted
Transitions Online, January 13, 2003
Russia--In the harshest winter in decades, more than 25,000 people across Russia spent the New Year and Orthodox Christmas in a deep chill after hot water pipes, built in the communist era and left unrepaired for years, froze up and then burst.

Russian parliament members warn of negative consequences for Russian economy in the event of war in Iraq
Interfax, January 10, 2003
Moscow, 10 January: State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladimir Lukin (the YABLOKO faction) and Communist leader Gennadi Zyuganov believe that a possible US attack on Iraq could have negative consequences for the Russian economy. Lukin said in an interview with Interfax that this military operation might have "negative, but temporary consequences" for the Russian economy. "Oil prices could sharply rise, but are then bound to fall again," he said. In any case, the oil price will stabilize at 22-28 dollars per barrel, which is acceptable to Russia, he said.

Russia Enters the Year of Parliamentary Elections
By Marina Shakina, Versty No. 149
Russia is holding parliamentary elections in 2003. Like the Olympics they are held every four years.
The 1993 elections witnessed the collapse of Russia's Choice, the favourite at the time, and the victory of a "dark horse" - the LDPR. The authorities were shocked by the 1995 election results owing to the return of the Communist party as the leading force. The 1999 elections represented a breakthrough for the Unity party, which overshadowed the traditional success of the Communists. What will 2003 bring?

Electricity Sector Reforms Postoned Until February
By Ivan Rodin, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, January 15, 2003
The meeting of the Duma Council on January 14 clarified that the Duma would not consider the electricity sector reform package in the second reading on January 22. No final date for discussion of the package was set. As First Deputy Speaker Lyubov Sliska explained, this is simply a technical issue. At the moment, the government is preparing amendments to one of the laws included in the package. When they are submitted to the Duma, the ordinary council will determine the date for the debate. This decision is likely to be made on January 21, Sliska said; which means that the second reading will take place in February.

Liberals Want Chubais Off the Political Scene
By Maria Tsvetkova, gazeta.ru, December 24, 2002
The liberal Yabloko Party leader Grigory Yavlinsky, after consolidating support from his party activists at a conference held last Saturday, entered into a decisive battle Monday with the leadership of the Union of Righ-Wing Forces (SPS), long viewed by many as a potential ally of Yabloko in next year's parliamentary elections.
Yavlinsky issued an ultimatum to SPS leaders Boris Nemtsov and Irina Khakamda, saying that to form an election coalition with Yabloko they must first expel Anatoly Chubais and Sergei Kiriyenko, whose political pasts undermine the reputation of the parties on the right.

Grigory Yavlinsky has Turned Leftist
By Yuri Chernega, Kommersant, December 24, 2002
Endorsed by the Yabloko General Council last weekend, the charter is to be discussed by the Russian Democratic Assembly set up at the initiative of Grigori Yavlinsky's supporters. The charter comments sadly on the "declining confidence in democratic values and free market reforms" caused by "mistakes and sometimes crimes committed under the guise of democratic and reformist slogans by people calling themselves democrats and reformers." The charter concludes that "trust in the new alliance of democrats will be minimal if the coalition is headed by the same people who supported the war in Chechnya, carried out criminal privatization, built state financial pyramids, and initiated fiscal defaults."

State Duma elections 2003 - updated
Admin, January 15, 2003

Yavlinsky ready to join the government
By Boris Sapozhnikov, Ilya Zhegulyov, gazeta.ru, December 23, 2002
Speaking at his party's federal council on Saturday, Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky hinted that if he was offered a post in Vladimir Putin's government, he would most likely accept it. Furthermore, addressing the gathering convened to outline the party's election priorities for next year's parliamentary campaign, Yavlinsky pledged his full support for the Kremlin in all key areas of national development.

Russians see Putin as political party
By Avtandil Tsuladze, gazeta.ru, December 23, 2002
The Kremlin's experiment aimed at creating a strong party system in Russia is doomed to failure. Ironically, Vladimir Putin's soaring ratings are to blame. This also means that the St. Petersburg liberals and top civil servants, who rose to power on the back of Putin's landslide election victory in 2000, will, sooner or later, have to go through the rigmarole of registering with the Justice Ministry, just like all other political parties.

General Elections Coming
No surprises expected?
Moscow Tribune, By Stanislav Menshikov, December 20, 2002
In less than a year Russia will have a new parliament and soon after, a newly elected president. The election marathon in this country is usually an exciting time. Recall Boris Yeltsin's first success in 1991 while Mikhail Gorbachev was still around and his narrow victory against Gennady Zyuganov in 1996 after lagging behind his rival for months. Recall Vladimir Zhirinovsky's unexpected triumph in the parliamentary elections of 1993 and the joint Communist-Agrarian victory in the Duma elections of 1995. Equally dramatic was the appearance out of nowhere of the Unity (Bear) party in 1999 which led to Putin's election as president and his eventual overwhelming control of the parliament.

Demodernization
Grigory Yavlinsky
The past few years have been relatively favourable for the Russian economy. Production increased visibly after seven years of recession from 1991 to 1998. In 2000 and 2001 real GDP increased by about 14% and, in view of the anticipated 4% rise in 2002, GDP growth will amount to 19% over three years. People's real incomes and consumer demand increased after a nosedive during the 1998 crisis. The past two years have also been marked by greater investor optimism regarding the export sector and some of the processing industries that compete with imports on the domestic market. For the second year running exports exceeded USD100 billion, yielding a significant trade and balance of payments surplus, which normalized repayment of the foreign debt and ensured a relatively stable national exchange rate.

TV Channel Did Not Like Its Viewers
Moskovski Komsomolets, by Alexander Minkin, December 24, 2002
"Itogi" is repeated on Monday morning. I wanted to see if the interview had been shortened [in the Monday broadcast], as Yavlinsky spoke very sharply about the leaders of the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS), on criminal privatisation and electricity sector reform. Most importantly Kiselyov (anchor and author of "Itogi") conducted the poll among viewers in a live broadcast and obtained a result , which surprised him, was bad for the SPS and disastrous for Nemtsov.

Yavlinsky: Yabloko can't cooperate with Chubais and Kiriyenko
Interfax, December 23, 2002
MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky has named the politicians who, in his opinion, have no role to play in the democratic coalition.

Dirty Tatic Seen in St Pete Vote
The Russia Journal, December 9, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG - Voters in St. Petersburg went to the polls Sunday to elect a new Legislative Assembly following a campaign marked by trickery and accusations of vote-buying.

Duma Puts Off a Key Vote on UES's Future
The Moscow Times, By Alla Startseva, December 18, 2002
Efforts to break up the world's largest utility were dealt a fresh blow Tuesday as political and commercial interests collided to delay a key vote needed to clear the way for the government's most controversial restructuring project.