The signing of a protocol on a coalition between the SPS and Yabloko may take place any minute, said Yabloko-s leader Grigory Yavlinsky in an interview with the Ekho Moskvi radio station.

Yavlinsky also said that the Deputy Speaker of the Duma Vladimir Lukin has all the proxies to sign it.

Yavlinsky also stressed that the decision on a coalition was adopted by Yabloko-s Central Council on June 11.

According to Yavlinsky, this decision was supported by the regional organisations of Yabloko.

We think that in the present circumstances this is especially important, as there are a number of tasks that we must promote together, there are basic values that must be defended now, noted Yavlinsky.

According to Grigory Yavlinsky, we are witnessing an attack on democratic rights and freedoms, these rights require active protection.

That was the main reason for adopting the decision on a coalition. Grigory Yavlinsky stressed that Yabloko still acts as an opponent to President Putin. I am going to reiterate everything that I said during the elections.

As regards the SPS, the party contains people with differing opinions, noted Yavlinsky.

Based on Interfax reports.

Europe has demonstrated interest in the creation jointly with Russia of the European non-strategic anti-missile defence system.

This declaration was made by Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky after the meeting with the Prime Minister of Sweden Goran Persson and Minister of Defence Bjorn von Sudow on June 15, 2000.

The following issues were discussed during the meeting with the Swedish leaders: the economic situation in Russia and ways of improving the state of affairs and the future of the European Union, as Sweden will chair the EC in 2001 (and will enter the Governing Triad of the EC in July 2000), as well as the issues of European security and the creation jointly with Russia of a European system non-strategic anti-missile defence system, which had been proposed by Grigory Yavlinsky since 1998.

Yavlinsky noted that any negotiations with the representatives of the West are today complicated, as the West is extremely concerned about developments concerning freedom of speech in Russia. Yavlinsky is visiting Sweden at the invitation of the ruling Social-Democratic Party.

During his visit Grigory Yavlinsky also spoke to the parliament of Sweden, where social-democrats constitute the majority.

The leader of the Yabloko party, Grigory Yavlinsky, expressed his conviction that the arrest of the head of the Media-Most holding company, Vladimir Gusinsky, is "an action of intimidation of society and the mass media"'. Speaking on the "Ekho Moskvi" radio station on June 15, 2000 Grigory Yavlinsky stressed that today people concerned about the future of the country should unite and begin a tough dialogue with the authorities.

"This union should be transformed into a real democratic opposition and express support for the Constitution of the country and its laws", noted Yavlinsky.

According to Yavlinsky, a group of influential businessmen, who overnight had signed a petition in defence of Vladimir Gusinsky, "views the events with Gusinsky through a looking-glass".

Yavlinsky also thinks that it is pointless to discuss any investments into Russia's economy in the present circumstances in the country. "

No investor can feel safe when the independent mass media are subject to such actions. After the arrest of Vladimir Gusinsky, and after political repressions against the independent mass media, such a country cannot be partner either in business or in the military sphere", said Yavlinsky.

Grigory Yavlinsky also stressed that he respects Vladimir Gusinsky as a person and thinks that the latter has brought real good for Russia through his activity.

"If his arrest means a fight with the oligarchs, then Gusinsky should not be the first oligarch in the rank", noted Yavlinsky.

He also said that he had reported to the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) instances where representatives of the FSB had called on students in institutes and forced them to sign letters of co-operation.

Yavlinsky said that he disposed of definite facts here, adding that the individuals are warned that they will be sent to Chechnya if they refuse to sign such promises. Based on Interfax reports.

See also:

Sergei Ivanenko: ordinary citizens may follow Vladimir Gusinsky-s way

Leaders of the Yabloko, SPS and OVR factions declare that the arrest of Gusinsky is splitting society and discrediting the country