Federation Council Speaker against transfer of power bodies from Moscow [RIA Novosti. - 10.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov comes out against the transfer of the key power bodies from Moscow to other Russian cities.

Mironov wants government monopoly on ethyl alcohol [ITAR-Tass. - 10.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 10 (Itar-Tass) -- Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov called for re-instituting governmental monopoly on the production and distribution of ethyl alcohol.

Mironov calls for canceling benefits of high-ranking officials [ITAR-Tass. - 10.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 10 (Itar-Tass) -- Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov called for canceling benefits of high-ranking officials and parliamentarians at an Internet conference on Tuesday.

Senators propose cancellation of benefits for parliamentarians [RosBusinessConsulting. - 10.08.04]

RBC, 10.08.2004, Moscow 18:48:39.The Russian Federation Council will propose a bill covering the issue of cancellation of the existing benefits for Russian parliamentarians, Chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament Sergey Mironov told journalists at an Internet press-conference, held by RBC.

Federation Council to discuss bill on privileges [RosBusinessConsulting. - 10.08.04]

RBC, 10.08.2004, Moscow 18:45:49.The Federation Council is planning to propose its amendments to a bill on the replacement of privileges with cash payments after summer vacation, Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov reported at an Internet press conference organized by RBC.

Federation Council to have parliamentary vacations [ITAR-Tass. - 08.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 8 (Itar-Tass) -- Members of the Federation Council will have parliamentary vacations since Monday with the feeling of performed duty. Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov said at a Sunday plenary session “the main trend of work remains the formation of the legislative basis for implementing strategic priorities of domestic and foreign policy of the state.” As many as 124 draft laws were considered, and the president has already signed 101 of them into law. Speaking on the main draft laws approved by the upper house of parliament Mironov called the draft law on replacing social benefits by cash payments that the Federation Council approved on Sunday.

Senate to check Russian welfare payments [RIA Novosti. - 08.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - The Federation Council, parliament's upper house, will closely monitor compliance with the new welfare grant law in every part of Russia, Speaker Sergei Mironov said to the media as soon as the house passed the bill in this morning's session.

The house has set up an ad hoc team that will be offering legislative amendments and practical advice to smooth out law implementation, he added.

Russia FC to discuss law on social benefits monetisation [ITAR-Tass. - 08.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 8 (Itar-Tass) - The Federation Council upper house of Russia’s parliament will hold its last meeting of the summer session on Sunday.

The plenary meeting’s agenda includes over 30 issues. The main subject to be discussed by the senators is the law on the replacement of social welfare benefits with money compensation ...

...

The house will also discuss the law that has caused wide public interest – amendments to the law On Advertising concerning restrictions on beer commercials ... FC Speaker Sergei Mironov said this law is “rather ideological and it is necessary to adopt it in order to preserve health of the country’s young people.”

Russian senators to discuss reconstruction of Chechnya [ITAR-Tass. - 07.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 7 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian Federation Council’s ad hoc commission on the North Caucasus will meet on Saturday to discuss social and economic reconstruction in Chechnya.

Special attention will be paid to the payment of compensations for lost housing and property, commission chairman Alexander Torshin told Itar-Tass.

Mironov accuses U.S. of double standard policy [RIA Novosti. - 06.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Federation Council (upper chamber of Russia's parliament), has accused the American administration of conducting a double standard policy.

"When, on one hand, 'orange' danger is announced in the United States meaning a risk of terrorist attacks and, on the other hand, asylum is granted to people directly having to do with terrorism - this is what the double standards are," Mironov said. He was commenting to journalists on the granting of political asylum in the United States to one of the leaders of Chechen separatists Ilyas Akhmadov, who is on an international wanted list.

Federation Council speaker concerned with Georgian President's remarks [RosBusinessConsulting. - 06.08.04]

RBC, 06.08.2004, Moscow 18:40:58. Russian Federation Council Speaker Sergey Mironov regrets about the recent remarks by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili with regard to Russian tourists in Abkhazia.

Russia's Upper Parliamentary House expected to pass welfare reform package at its Aug.8 session [RIA Novosti. - 06.08.2004]

MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - The Federation Council, or Russia's upper house of parliament, is expected to pass a Cabinet-sponsored welfare reform package on Sunday, August 8.

Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov announced to the media Friday that the house's board had agreed to approve the draft as it had gathered for a session earlier today.