Johnson’s Russia List :: 2013-#106 :: 12 June 2013

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Johnson’s Russia List :: 2013-#106 :: 12 June 2013
E-Mail: davidjohnson@starpower.net
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POLITICS

1. Kremlin.ru: Speech at reception on Russia Day.
2. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia Day: From independence to summer holiday.
3. Russia Beyond the Headlines: June 12: How Declaration of Sovereignty saved Russia. Sergei Shakhrai, one of the authors of Russia’s constitution, explained to RBTH what really brought about the USSR’s demise, and what prevented Russia from splitting apart further.
4. RIA Novosti: Hard for Russians to Say What They Take Pride In – Poll.
5. RIA Novosti: Russia 155th in 2013 Global Peace Index.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Putin on NSA leak: Government surveillance shouldn’t break law.
7. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, US-bashing TV station gives interview to its benefactor, Vladimir Putin.
8. BBC Monitoring: Putin says former minister refuses to speak up about unpopular steps. (Aleksey Kudrin)
9. Interfax: Russians do not expect soonest government resignation – poll.
10. RIA Novosti: Russia People’s Front Movement Picks Putin as Leader.
11. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Vladimir Putin’s Approval Rating Isn’t Actually Declining.
12. Kommersant: Fate of Various Former Surkov Associates Detailed.
13. www.russiatoday.com: Thousands march in Moscow opposition rally on Russia Day.
14. Reuters: Russian protesters march as Putin seeks firmer political footing.
15. RIA Novosti: Moscow ‘Riots’ Go to Court: 7 Arguments for the Jury.
16. New York TImes: Russia Passes Bill Targeting Some Discussions of Homosexuality.
17. Moscow Times: ‘Blasphemy Bill’ in Effect From July.
18. AFP: UN AIDS Envoy Criticises Russian Prosecution of Addicts.
19. RIA Novosti: Russia to Fast-Track New Online Censorship Bill.
20. Interfax: Russian Security Service chief worried about extremism being spread online.
21. www.opendemocracy..net: Emil Pain, Russia’s internet party. Does Russia’s online community have anything resembling a common philosophy? New analysis of social media suggests the only idea shared right across the political spectrum is xenophobia.
22. Quartz: PRISM just gave Russia a great excuse to step up its war on social networks.
23. Interfax: Russian justice minister seeks wider range of grounds for NGO checks.
24. RBK Daily: Authorities Advised To Make Changes to Law on ‘Foreign Agents.’ (Artemiy Magun)
25. Interfax: Russian Deputy PM Dvorkovich plans to meet with economist Guriev in Paris.
26. Interfax: New Economic School never supported opposition politicians – Guriyev.
27. Interfax: Putin says Russia needs more flexible approach to immigration.
28. Wall Street Journal: The Art of Questioning Authority. A Film Festival Spotlights Human Rights.
29. Interfax: Putin says he never married in church, says divorce was mutual decision.
30. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Belkovskiy: Divorce Announcement Shows Putin Values Personal Above Political.
31. RIA Novosti: Natalia Antonova, Three Cheers for Divorce.
32. ITAR-TASS: Writing canonical history of Russia no easy task, as controversies are too many.
33. Moscow Times: Livanov Promises Pay Raises for Professors.
34. National Public Radio (NPR): Despite Critics, Russia Promises A Grand Olympic Spectacle.

ECONOMY

35. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev adopts action plan for improvement of Russia’s investment attractiveness.
36. Interfax: Putin expects extra measures stimulating economy from govt.
37. Interfax: 13,000 people convicted over business-related crimes could be amnestied – official.
38. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Reviewing 22 years of modernization in Russian economy. The Russian economy now has an opportunity to harness the unique heritage of the communist empire with modern ideas and solutions. In contrast to southern Europe, Russia has long learned to live within its means, making it better equipped to cope with the economic crisis than its Western neighbors.
39. Interfax: Russian official: G20 tackling too many issues, IMF reforms stalled.
40. AFP: Tempers Fray Over Russian Block at Climate Talks.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

41. Interfax: Putin says Russia, USA have ‘practically no’ ideological antagonisms.
42. Interfax: U.S.’ imperial ambitions dictated by domestic politics – Putin.
43. Reuters: Russia’s Putin says U.S. supports opposition protesters.
44. RIA Novosti: Russian FM Unaware of US Spy Leaker’s Asylum Request.
45. Interfax: Pushkov: U.S. to be hysterical if Russia grants political asylum to surveillance leaker.
46. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, In tweak to US, Russia would ‘consider’ asylum for Snowden.
47. RIA Novosti: Simon Saradzhyan, Appointing Rice, Power Won’t Alter Obama’s Policy on Syria, Russia.
48. Interfax: Putin hopes new initiatives on Syria will help settle the crisis.
49. Gazeta.ru: Russian Oriental Studies Expert Sees Ho Hope of Successful Syria Conference. (Georgiy Mirskiy)
50. Paul Goble: Window on Eurasia: Russian Influence in Central Asia a Greater Threat than Chinese, Kazakh Nationalist Says.
51. BBC Monitoring: Russia ready to restore good relations with Georgia – Putin.
52. Interfax: Georgia ready to take steps toward normalizing relations with Russia – official.