Russia: Ten candidates now willing to run for president in 2004 [RIA Novosti. - 30.12.2003]

Moscow, 30 December: As of today, 10 people have stated their intention to contest the Russian presidential election [in March 2004]. Incumbent head of state Vladimir Putin announced during a live broadcast on 18 December that he would run for the second presidential term; he stressed he would not be put forward by any party, but would collect signatures instead.

Russian paper says Putin facing "marginals" in devalued presidential contest [Komsomolskaya Pravda. - 30.12.2003]

At the end of last week it became clear that in the upcoming presidential elections Vladimir Putin will probably have no serious rivals at all.

The congresses of two leading Russian political parties - the LDPR [Liberal Democratic Party of Russia] and CPRF [Communist Party of the Russian Federation] - decided that their leaders will not enter the presidential race. The Communists nominated agrarian Nikolay Kharitonov as their presidential candidate instead of Gennadiy Zyuganov. And the Liberal Democrats nominated a little-known politician (although he does hold the rank of first deputy chairman of the LDPR) Oleg Malyshkin.

The leaders of Yabloko and the SPS [Union of Right-Wing Forces] had earlier refused to take part in the elections. Thus right at the start of the presidential campaign Vladimir Putin finds himself in the role of a national champion who comes along to defend his title and finds that he will be facing only greenhorns and winners of district sports meets. The title of champion is obviously devalued in this situation.

Russian Senate Speaker to run for presidency [RIA Novosti. - 30.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 30 (RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina) - Speaker Sergei Mironov of the Federation Council, parliament's upper house, will run for federal presidency in next March's poll. He is anxious to enhance the social purport of government policies. That is the main reason for his nomination, Mr. Mironov said to a news conference in Moscow.

Russian upper house speaker says to stand against Putin to provide choice. [Radio Mayak. - 27.12.2003]

Russian upper house speaker Sergey Mironov has said he wants to stand in the presidential poll against incumbent Vladimir Putin in order to ensure the elections are democratically contested, and also to gain a political platform for the Russian Party of Life which he leads.

Mironov told Russian Mayak radio he was not too disappointed by his electoral bloc's poor showing in the Duma poll, and expressed confidence that the Party of Life would one day emerge as an "influential political force". Interviewed on the "People and Power" programme, he described as "absolute rubbish" claims that democracy in Russia would be dormant for the next four years after the sweeping success of the pro-Putin One Russia party. He told interviewer Yuliy Semenov that, despite attempts to side-track and humiliate Russia on the international arena in the 1990s, the country "was and is a great power".

National council of Russian Party of Life backs leader for president. [Radio Russia. - 26.12.2003]

On Friday [26 December] the national council of the Russian Party of Life decided in principle to nominate party leader and Federation Council speaker Sergey Mironov as candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections. The official nomination will take place at an emergency party congress scheduled for 4 January.

Russian Speaker: President Putin never sacrifices Russia's interests [RIA Novosti. - 25.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 25, 2003. /RIA Novosti correspondent Marina Balynina/. Agreements on the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait achieved by the Russian and Ukrainian leaders serve Russia's interests, Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov told journalists on Thursday.

Federation Council Speaker will join presidential race [RIA Novosti. - 25.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 25, 2003 (RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina) - On Thursday, Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council, or the upper house of parliament, has confirmed his intention to stand for president. However, he emphasised that his candidature was yet to be endorsed by the political party he was co-leading, Russian Party of Life.

Federation Council Speaker meets acting Georgian President behind closed doors [RIA Novosti. - 25.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 25. (RIA Novosti correspondent Mariya Balynina). Speaker of the Russian Federation Council Sergei Mironov met on Thursday with acting Georgian president Nino Burdzhanadze who arrived in Moscow with a working visit. The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted 45 minutes.

Sergei Mironov and Nino Burdzhanadze [RIA Novosti photo. - 25.12.2003]

On December 25, 2003 Russian Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov met with Georgian acting President Nino Burdzhanadze, currently on a routine visit to Moscow. RIA Novosti photo.

Upper House speaker to run for president, given party’s decision [ITAR-TASS. - 25.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 25 (Itar-Tass) - Chairman of the Federation Council, or the upper house of Russian parliament, Sergei Mironov who also heads the Russian Party of Life told reporters on Thursday that he would run for president, if his party decided on the go-ahead at the convention it was to hold in the immediate future.

Federation Council head confirms his bid for presidency [RosBusinessConsulting. - 25.12.2003]

RBC, 25.12.2003, Moscow 14:09:36. Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov has confirmed his decision to run for the president of Russia. "Russia is a democratic country and there should be real democratic elections in it," he told reporters today.

Federation Council head to compete with Putin [RosBusinessConsulting. - 25.12.2003]

Sergey Mironov, the Chairman of the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, has submitted an application to the Central Election Commission to run for the president of Russia, a source close to the Federation Council reported. However, according to earlier statements of Mironov, all members of the Russian Party of Life (a political party that he heads) are wishing a victory to Vladimir Putin.

Russian senate speaker says presidential bid may boost his party [Interfax news agency. - 25.12.2003]

St Petersburg, 23 December, Interfax-Northwest: Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov has said he is ready to be a candidate in the forthcoming presidential election [due to be held in March next year] if he is nominated by the Russian Party of Life, which he leads.

Sergei Mironov and Vladimir Litvin [RIA Novosti photo. - 22.12.2003]

December 22, 2003, Moscow. Speaker Sergei Mironov of the Federation Council, the Russian parliament's upper house, held a conference with Speaker Vladimir Litvin of the Ukrainian parliament. Sergei Mironov, right, with Vladimir Litvin, left.

Upper House Speaker on Tuzla Spit situation [RIA Novosti. - 22.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 22 (RIA Novosti) - The situation around the Tuzla spit will be settled, Speaker of the Federation Council (upper house) Sergei Mironov said Monday after his talks with Speaker of Ukraine's Supreme Rada Vladimir Litvin.

Bulgaria, Russia set to mark 125 years of diplomatic relations [novinite.com - 18.12.2003]

Bulgaria's president Georgi Parvanov is planning to visit Russia next year, when Bulgaria and Russia mark 125 years since establishing diplomatic relations with each other.

The news broke on Thursday, after a meeting between Parvanov and Sergei Mironov (left), chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, whose visit to Bulgaria rolled into its second, and last, day.

It is for people to have the say on Russia regions unification [ITAR-TASS. - 17.12.2003]

SOFIA, December 17 (Itar-Tass) -- It is for the population to have the say on the unification of Russian regions, Sergei Mironov, the speaker of the upper house of Russian parliament, on a two-day official visit in Bulgaria, said on Wednesday.

Russo-Bulgarian relations making headway [ITAR-TASS. - 17.12.2003]

SOFIA, December 17 (Itar-Tass) - The Russo-Bulgarian relations are now “developing dynamically”, Speaker of the Russian Upper House Sergei Mironov stated at the Sofia airport on Wednesday, upon his arrival here for an official visit.

Russia frowns at US bases in Bulgaria [novinite.com - 17.12.2003]

Russia is not particularly enthusiastic about a possible stationing of US bases in Bulgaria, Sergei Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, said in Sofia after a meeting with Parliamentary Speaker Ognyan Gerzhikov.

Sergei Mironov arrived in Bulgaria on Wednesday on a two-day visit at the head of a parliamentary delegation. His statement comes just two days before Bulgaria's Parliament puts to the vote a declaration on the stationing of US bases in Bulgaria.

Federation Council Chairman Mironov flies to Sofia for talks [Rosbalt. - 17.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 17. Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council, flies to Bulgaria today for an official visit, the press service of the parliament's upper chamber has told Rosbalt.

FC approves observers to monitor Georgia's presidential polls [ITAR-TASS. - 17.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 17 (Itar-Tass) - The Federation Council upper house of the Russian parliament approved a group of FC observers on Tuesday to monitor the presidential election in Georgia.

Russian official sour about location of US bases in Bulgaria [BulgarianNewsNetwork. - 17.12.2003]

SOFIA (bnn)— The Chairman of Russia's parliament upper house said Wednesday his country "was not delighted" by prospects for the United States to locate military bases in Bulgaria.

"We believe that our partners in the anti-terrorist coalition, the United States and Britain, will inform us about their plans," Federation Council Speaker Sergey Mironov said after talks with Bulgarian Parliament Chairman Ognyan Gerdzhikov.

Speaker Mironov for reinforcement of state border in North Caucasus [RIA Novosti. - 16.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 16, 2003. /RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina/ -- The events, which occurred within the last two days in Dagestan, prove that the reinforcement of the state border in that region is of prime importance, Russia Federation Council Speaker Sergey Mironov disclosed to journalists on Tuesday.

Russia's senators ask leadership to reinvigorate fishery agreement talks withy U.S. [RIA Novosti. - 16.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 16. /RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT MARIA BALYNINA/ -- The Federation Council (upper chamber of Russia's parliament) has asked the president to instruct the cabinet for stepping up the negotiations with the United States on the conclusion of a fishery agreement.

Saddam Hussein should be tried by international tribunal, says Federation Council Speaker [RIA Novosti. - 16.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 16 (RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT MARIA BALYNINA) - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should be tried by the international tribunal, Sergei Mironov, chairman of Russia's Federation Council, told journalists on Tuesday.

Russian lawmaker on handling Hussein's case [RosBusinessConsulting. - 16.12.2003]

RBC, 16.12.2003, Moscow 15:29:01.Saddam Hussein should be judged by an international court, Russian Federation Council Sergey Mironov announced. According to Mironov, Hussein should not be judged in accordance with US legislation as he is not US citizen and "has nothing to do with US justice".

Russian Senators Seek to Protect National Gold Deposits from Foreign Interest [Rosbalt. - 11.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 11. Members of the Russian Federation Council made an appeal to Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov yesterday to consider limiting the tender for developing the Sukhoi Log gold deposit (Irkutsk Region) to Russian companies only. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, the appeal was backed by 119 council members. 

Russia sets March 14 date for 2004 vote [The Associated Press. - 10.12.2003]

MOSCOW - The upper house of parliament on Wednesday set March 14, 2004 as the date for Russia's next presidential election.

Federation Council approves 2004 budget [RosBusinessConsulting. - 10.12.2003]

The Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, has approved the 2004 federal budget. The bill was passed by a vote of 137 to 4, with 2 abstentions.

Russian Senate demands information on Siberian goldfield race [RIA Novosti. - 10.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 10 (RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina) - The Federation Council, parliament's upper house, forwarded an inquiry to federal Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov today. The Senate demands to keep abreast with governmental organization efforts for a contest to develop the Sukhoi Log goldfield.

Sukhoi Log in the Irkutsk Region, Siberia, is one of the world's biggest prospected gold deposits. In 1997, the goldfield found itself in an unused government-owned area.

Senate Head for federal centre to pay more attention to regions' legislative initiatives [RIA Novosti. - 09.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 9. /RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT MARIA BALYNINA/ -- The federal centre, including the State Duma, should pay more attention to legislative initiatives proposed by entities of the federation, Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Federation Council /the upper chamber of Russian parliament/, said at the session of the Legislative Council in the Kremlin.

Federal budget will pass before New Year's Eve: Federation Council Speaker [RIA Novosti. - 04.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 4, RIA NOVOSTI - Russia's President Vladimir Putin held conference with Speaker Sergei Mironov of the Federation Council today. They discussed prospects for parliament's upper house to approve next year's federal budget.

Federation Council Speaker against extenging presedential term, for now [RIA Novosti. - 04.12.2003]

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 4. (RIA NOVOSTI) - At a Thursday press conference Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Federation Council (the upper chamber of Russian Parliament) said that the Constitution as it relates to the 4-year presidential term should not be changed.

Upper House to name April 14 as day of 2004 presidential elections [RIA Novosti. - 04.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 4. /RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina/. The Federation Council is to name March 14 as the date of presidential elections in 2004, Upper House Speaker Sergei Mironov told reporters on Thursday.

Exiled tycoon strains Russia-Georgia ties [RosBusinessConsulting. - 04.12.2003]

Sergey Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, expressed surprise at the actions of Georgian border guards who allowed Boris Berezovsky, a billionaire facing fraud charges in Russia, to visit Georgia using fake documents. He made this statement at a news conference on Thursday.

Russian parliamentarian hopes to meet with Caucasian counterparts [RosBusinessConsulting. - 04.12.2003]

RBC, 04.12.2003, Moscow 15:59:18. The next meeting of the heads of the Russian, Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani parliaments is expected to take place in Tbilisi in February 2004, Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov declared at a news conference today.

Lawmaker confident of Putin winning second term [RosBusinessConsulting. - 04.12.2003]

RBC, 04.12.2003, Moscow 15:08:50. The question of prolonging Russian President Vladimir Putin's term in office will not be raised during his second term, Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov declared at a news conference today. Mironov expressed confidence that Putin would win his second term in office, "although the presidential elections will not be smooth".

Sergei Mironov: “Our economic program provokes people to generate new ideas” [Izvestia Media Center. - 03.12.2003]

THE RUSSIAN PARTY OF LIFE (RPL) LEADER SERGEI MIRONOV AND RPL ECONOMIC EXPERT LEONID BARON PRESENTED THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM OF THE PARTY AT IZVESTIA MEDIA CENTER IN MOSCOW ON DECEMBER 3, 2003

The panellists: Chairman of the Federation Council and Chairman of the Russian Party of Life Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov and a co-author of the economic program of the Russian Party of Life and chairman of the expert panel of the Social-Economic and Investment Projections Institute Leonid Iosifovich Baron.

National prize "Man of the Year-2003" [RIA Novosti photo. - 03.12.2003]

December 3. Yesterday the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow, hosted the awarding ceremony of the national prize "Man of the Year-2003" established by the Russian Biography Institute. Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov was awarded in the category "State and Political Activities".

Vershbow: AIDS Trend 'Staggering' [The Moscow Times. - 02.12.2003]

By Greg Walters Special to The Moscow Times

Russian and American politicians marked World AIDS Day in the city Monday with calls for greater cooperation to halt the spread of the disease in the country, which the World Health Organization has said is growing at a "fearsome rate."

... U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, a TPAA co-chairman, reiterated U.S. President George W. Bush's commitment to fighting the disease worldwide.

... Sergei Mironov, Federation Council speaker and Vershbow's fellow TPAA co-chairman, said the Russian public was not sufficiently aware of the danger AIDS poses.

Russian peacekeepers' presence in Georgia-Abkhazia falls in line with Georgia's interests [RIA Novosti. - 01.12.2003]

MOSCOW, December 1, 2003 (RIA Novosti) - Russian peacekeepers' presence in the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict zone falls in line with Georgia's interests, for they ensure the latter's territorial integrity. Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) said this at a press conference in Moscow Monday.