Japan to return its recalled ambassador to Moscow Sunday

Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono

November 07, 2010 (KATAKAMI/ RIA NOVOSTI) --- Japan's ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono, recalled amid the recent diplomatic spat over the disputed Kuril Islands, will return to Moscow by Sunday noon, the Kyodo news agency said.

On Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian president to visit one of the four disputed Kuril Islands, called the Northern Territories by Japan. The move triggered an angry response from Tokyo, which called the visit "regrettable" and temporarily recalled its ambassador to Russia for consultations.

The Japanese government has later taken a decision to refrain from further actions of protest.
Both Moscow and Tokyo have laid claim to the Kuril Islands since they were occupied by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The dispute over the islands has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II hostilities.

MOSCOW, November 7 (RIA Novosti)

Photostream : Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin buried in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) pay their respects to former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin during a memorial service at the Novodevichy monastery in Moscow, November 5, 2010. The longest serving Prime Minister in post-Soviet Russia, Chernomyrdin died on Wednesday at the age of 72. (Getty Images / REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Alexsey Druginyn )

Honour guards stand at attention next to the coffin of former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin during a commemoration ceremony in Moscow, November 5, 2010. The longest serving Prime Minister in post-Soviet Russia, Chernomyrdin died on Wednesday at the age of 72. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Pool/Mikhail Metzel )

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (C), Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill walk behind the coffin of former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin during his funeral at Novodevichy monastery in Moscow, November 5, 2010. The longest serving Prime Minister in post-Soviet Russia, Chernomyrdin died on Wednesday at the age of 72. (Getty Images / REUTERS / RIA Novosti / Pool/Alexsey Druginyn )

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R) walks behind the coffin of former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin during his funeral at Novodevichy monastery in Moscow, November 5, 2010. The longest serving Prime Minister in post-Soviet Russia, Chernomyrdin, died on Wednesday at the age of 72. (Getty Images /REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Mikhail Klimentyev )

From left, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill are seen during the funeral of former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Viktor Chernomyrdin, who served as Russia's prime minister in the turbulent 1990s as the country was throwing off communism and developing as a market economy, died Wednesday. (Getty Images / AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Servicel)

Russian President thanks Japan PM for invitation to APEC summit

File photo : Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan ( left) with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (June 26, 2010)

November 04, 2010 (KATAKAMI / KREMLIN.RU) --- President Dmitry Medvedev sent a response message to Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan thanking him for the invitation to take part in the 18^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Yokohama on November 13–14, 2010.

The Russian President’s message reads, in part:

“I fully share the belief in APEC’s importance in expanding multilateral political and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the effort to find effective responses to modern challenges.

I intend to actively participate in discussions on the main theme of Japan’s presidency, Change and Action. I hope that the forum will prompt its participants to adopt a set of joint measures to overcome the effects of the global financial crisis and to develop an optimal model of APEC region’s development in the post-crisis period with an emphasis on economic and social security.

I am confident that the summit will make a tangible contribution to sustainable growth of the economies participating in the forum.”


(MS)

Meeting of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) welcomes North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during their meeting in Moscow on November 3, 2010. Rasmussen said on November 3 that the alliance and Russia must bury the ghosts of the past at an upcoming summit, as he sought to persuade Moscow to join a missile defense system.  (Photo by VLADIMIR RODIONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

November 03, 2010 (KATAKAMI / KREMLIN.RU) --- Dmitry Medvedev and Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the current state and perspectives of Russia-NATO relations.

The President noted during the meeting that relations between Russia and NATO have gained in substance and become more productive of late, which creates opportunities for building a more solid security system in Europe and the world.

Russia’s delegation at the meeting included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, and Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin.

* * *




PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Mr Secretary General, it is a pleasure to see you and wish you welcome.

I want to start by saying that relations between Russia and NATO have gained in substance and become more productive of late. We welcome this, as it creates opportunities to work harder on building up our cooperation and developing a more solid security system in Europe and the world.

We will discuss the current situation today, but I hope that later, at the summit in Lisbon, we will have the chance to talk about key cooperation areas between Russia and NATO. You know that I have decided to attend this summit, and I think it will be a useful event.

Once more, I wish you welcome to the Kremlin.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN:
Thank you very much, Mr President. I’m really happy to be in Moscow once again. I’m pleased that you accepted my invitation to attend the NATO-Russia Council meeting in Lisbon on the 20^th of November. Now I look very much forward to a productive meeting and I’m here to prepare that meeting jointly, to make sure that it will be a productive meeting, that we will see concrete results from that meeting.
I share your view that we have seen substantial progress in our relationship during recent months. And I would very much like to develop our cooperation further. I think that summit in Lisbon will represent a fresh start for our relationship, a modernization of our relationship. And I think there is scope for further development of practical cooperation in the coming years.

November 3, 2010, 17:00The Kremlin, Moscow

Medvedev, Qatari emir discuss economic, regional cooperation

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani in Moscow's Kremlin, November 3, 2010. (Getty Images / REUTERS / Ivan Sekretarev/Pool )

MOSCOW, November 3 (KATAKAMI / Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani for talks on economic cooperation and regional interaction.

“Russian-Qatari relations develop successfully. Recently they have become more dynamic and mutually advantageous,” Medvedev said on Wednesday.

The Russian president proposed to discuss “economic relations between our countries and regional interaction”. Medvedev also said the Qatari emir “had interesting meetings in Russia”. “I’m sure that your stay in Russia will be intensive and fruitful,” he added.

Al Thani stressed that Qatar “seeks to develop economic cooperation with Russia”. The Qatari emir said he “had interesting meetings with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller. All meetings were positive. We also discussed cultural relations due to Russia’ s heritage. We also want to develop relations in this field”. “As for our international cooperation, it is developing. I believe that it is necessary to focus more attention to the Palestinian problem,” the Qatari emir stressed.

The talks are being held at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Russia’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko. The Qatari delegation involves Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasem Al Thani.

(MS)

Former Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin to be buried in elite cemetery

Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin

November 03, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, who died aged 72 on Wednesday morning, will be laid to rest in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery, a Russian TV channel said on Wednesday.

Chernomyrdin will be buried beside his wife Valentina, who died in March, the Rossiya 24 channel said.
The cemetery, which lies beside a baroque 16th and 17th century convent, is the traditional resting place for Russia's elite.

It hosts a number of Russian and Soviet politicians, such as Boris Yeltsin and Nikita Khrushchev, as well as literary figures such as Nikolai Gogol and Anton Chekhov.

After serving as Russian prime minister under Yeltsin from 1992-1998, Chernomyrdin was made Russian ambassador to Ukraine in 2001, a post he held until 2009, when he was designated as a presidential advisor.

MOSCOW, November 3 (RIA Novosti)

Former Russian PM Chernomyrdin dies aged 72

Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin

November 03, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin died early on Wednesday morning at the age of 72, a source in the political establishment said.

"Chernomyrdin died at 4 am Moscow time [01:00 GMT]. He had been severely ill," the source said.
After serving as Russian prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin from 1992-1998, Chernomyrdin was made Russian ambassador to Ukraine in 2001, a post he held until 2009, when he was designated as a presidential advisor.

Chernomyrdin was a steadfast supporter of Yeltsin and supporter of privatization and a number of other reforms, although he started his career by opposing many economic changes.

He was minister of the oil and gas industries during the late 1980s and helped to turn the ministry into the state-owned gas company Gazprom in 1989. He was the company’s first chairman of the board, a post which he retained on-and-off until 2000, and his stake in the company made him one of Russia’s richest men.

Chernomyrdin is best known in the Russian-speaking world for his colorful use of language and coined the now popular proverb "we wanted the best, but it turned out as always," uttered after the Russian Central Bank carried out an unsuccessful monetary exchange in the early 1990s.

MOSCOW, November 3 (RIA Novosti)

Moscow not to recall ambassador to Tokyo over Kurils row, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

November 02, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Russia will not recall its ambassador to Japan following a diplomatic row over the disputed Kuril Islands, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.

The dispute over four of the islands, which both countries have laid claim to since they were occupied by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, was sparked when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Kunashir Island on Monday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Japan announced it was temporarily recalling its ambassador to Russia, Masaharu Kono.

Lavrov said Japan's move was its own domestic affair.

"On the whole, we are puzzled by the continuing escalation of emotions from the Japanese side," the minister said, adding that Medvedev was planning to visit another Kuril Islands.

Prior to Medvedev's visit, Japan said the arrival of the Russian leader could complicate bilateral relations, but Russia's Foreign Ministry rejected the comments saying Medvedev "defines the routes of trips across his country on his own."

The visit was the first trip by a head of state of Russia or the former Soviet Union to the South Kuril Islands.

Tokyo's continued claim over four South Kuril Islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) to the northeast of Japan has so far prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War II hostilities.


OSLO, November 2 (RIA Novosti)

U.S. says backs Japan in dispute with Russia over Kuril Islands

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sparked a diplomatic row with Japan when he visited Kunashir Island, near Japan's northernmost Hokkaido Island, on Monday.

Photostream : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits Kunashir Island

 

November 02, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- The United States backs Japan in its dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands and keeps on calling on both countries to reach a compromise, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said.

"We are quite aware of the dispute. We do back Japan regarding the Northern Territories. The United States for a number of years has encouraged Japan and Russia to negotiate an actual peace treaty, regarding these and other issues," Philip Crowley told a daily press briefing.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sparked a diplomatic row with Japan when he visited Kunashir Island, near Japan's northernmost Hokkaido Island, on Monday.

The visit was the first trip by a head of state of Russia or the former Soviet Union to the South Kuril Islands. The Soviet Union seized four of the Kuril Islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) from Japan at the end of World War II and Tokyo has demanded their return ever since. The dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty.

Japan said the move was "regrettable," and had "hurt the Japanese people's sentiments."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that he saw "no connection" between the trip and Russian-Japanese relations.


WASHINGTON, November 2 (RIA Novosti)

Medvedev congratulates Brazil's first female president

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulates Brazil's first female president

November 01, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Brazil's first female president, Dilma Rousseff, on Monday, the Kremlin said.

The ruling Workers Party's candidate was elected Brazil's president on Sunday, after winning 55.49 percent of the vote.

"Please accept my sincere congratulations on your clear-cut victory...Over the past few years we have seen tangible results in the development of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Brazil," Medvedev's message read.

Brazil's outgoing president, Lula de Silva, was first elected in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. Under the Brazilian Constitution, the president can only be elected for two consecutive four-year terms.

D

MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Kunashir, the southernmost of the Kuril Islands

Kunashir Island, November 1,2010 ( Photo by : DMITRY MEDVEDEV, Kremlin.Ru )

November 01, 2010 (KATAKAMI / KREMLIN.RU) --- The President began his working trip at a geothermal station located on the outskirts of Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and noted that it is a good example of small energy facility development, as the production cost of electricity generated at such stations is three times lower than that produced at diesel-powered stations. Mr Medvedev spoke with a duty officer at the station, and one of the matters raised was the expansion of television broadcasting in the area. Currently, the Kuril Islands’ residents receive only four channels, but the introduction of digital broadcasting would expand the local package to twenty TV channels.

The President then visited the Yuzhno-Kurilsk Fish Plant, which processes around 110 tons of fish a day. Governor of Sakhalin Region Alexander Khoroshavin, who accompanied the President, noted that there are some problems at the moment in supplying the plant’s products to the mainland. Mr Medvedev said that he would instruct his Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District to look into this situation.

Mr Medvedev inspected the quay under construction in Yuzhno-Kurilsk Bay. The first stage of construction has been completed with a wharf built and energy supply lines installed. A three-storey passenger ship terminal will be launched in 2011.

The President also visited the home of a Yuzhno-Kurilsk family and asked their opinion of the situation in the local consumer market and the level of healthcare services.

Mr Medvedev was also shown a newly built kindergarten, which will open in November and offer pre-school education to 110 children.

During his conversation with Sakhalin Region Governor Alexander Khoroshavin, Dmitry Medvedev called for more intensive efforts to improve social conditions for life on the Kuril Islands.


(MS)

Photostream : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits Kunashir Island

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev visits Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, November 1, 2010. (Photo: the Presidential Press and Information Office)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, at the southern Kurils, on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. Russia's president visited an island in the Pacific Ocean claimed by both Russia and Japan on Monday, triggering immediate protests from Tokyo, which is already involved in a heated dispute with China over islands to the south. (Getty Images / AP Photo/RIA Novosti Kremlin, Mikhail Klimentyev, pool)

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev takes pictures near Soviet-made Cold War-era defense turrets, during his visit to Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, November 1, 2010.  (Getty Images / REUTERS/Ria Novosti/Kremlin/Mikhail Klimentyev )

Kunashir Island, November 1,2010 ( Photo by : DMITRY MEDVEDEV, Kremlin.Ru )

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev visits a church on Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, November 1, 2010. ( Photo by : Yuzhno-Kurilsk / The Presidential Press and Information Office / Kremlin.Ru )

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) visits a church on Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, November 1, 2010. (Photo by : Yuzhno-Kurilsk Photo: The Presidential Press and Information Office / Kremlin.Ru )

Medical council meets to decide on surgery for Gen. Shamanov, Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, greets Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of the Russian Airborne Forces in the military hospital in Moscow, Russia, late Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Shamanov was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)

November 01, 2010 MOSCOW, November 1 (KATAKAMI / Itar-Tass) -- A medical council has met at Burdenko Central Military hospital on Monday to decide on further tactics of treatment of Russian Airborne troops’ commander Leut.-Gen. Vladimir Shamanov and of Acting chief of the 106th paratrooper division deployed in Tula Col. Aleksei Naumets, spokesman for the Russian Airborne troops Alexander Cherednik told Itar-Tass Monday, speaking from the Burdenko hospital. The medical council is being presided by Chief of the military-medical department of the Russian Defense Ministry Maj.-Gen. Alexander Belevitin, the spokesman said.

On October 31 Deputy Chief of the Burdenko hospital Col. Konstantin Panyushin told Itar- Tass that Gen. Shamanov's condition improved and showed "certain positive dynamics." The purposes of the concilium is to decide, whether urgent surgery intervention on Gen. Shamanov's arm and leg was needed, Panyuyshin said..

According to the spokesman the condition of Acting commander of the 106th paratrooper division Col. Alexei Naumets is grave corresponding to the character of injuries he received in the accident as result of which he had his ribs, hip and legs broken broken, suffered a chest and brain injury. Col. Naumets was in a state of shock immediately after the accident, but he came to after intensive therapy at an intensive care ward at the Tula branch of the Burdenko hospital. Col. Naumets is conscious at present, and he endured transportation from Tula to Moscow normally, the Burdenko hospital deputy head doctor said.

(MS)

Condition of Russian Airborne Force commander improves in hospital

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, greets Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of the Russian Airborne Forces in the military hospital in Moscow, Russia, late Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Shamanov was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday. (Getty Images / AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)

Putin visits General Shamanov, Commander of Russian Airborne Forces in hospital: http://wp.me/pYE9h-2Z5


MOSCOW, October 31 (KATAKAMI / Itar-Tass) -- The condition of Russian Airborne Force Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, who was injured in a road accident and taken to the Burdenko Central Military Hospital, has improved a bit, hospital deputy head Col. Konstantin Panyushin said.

“Gen. Shamanov is being prepared for a surgery. A medical panel will schedule the surgery on Monday,” he said.

The general has fractures of an arm and the left thighbone.

Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov visited Shamanov at hospital and wished him the soonest recovery.

Meanwhile, acting commander of the 106th airborne division Col. Alexei Naumets, who was injured in a road accident in Tula together with Shamanov, has been taken to the Burdenko Central Military Hospital in Moscow, Airborne Force spokesman Col. Alexander Cherednik told Itar-Tass.

Naumets was initially taken to the intensive care unit of the Tula branch of the Burdenko hospital on Saturday.

Panyushin said that Naumets was in a serious condition: he had broken ribs, cerebral concussion, chest contusion, a fracture of the right thighbone, and a fracture of both shinbones.

(MS)

Russia's Medvedev arrives at Kuril Islands

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

November 01, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived at Kunashir Island, the southernmost island of the Kurils.

This is Medvedev's first visit to the islands, the dispute over which prevents Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty since 1945.

Prior to the visit, Japan voiced its concerns saying the arrival of the Russian leader could complicate bilateral relations, but Medvedev rejected Tokyo's attempts to change his plans saying he will "define the routes of trips across his country on his own."

Tokyo's continued claim over four South Kuril Islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) to the northeast of Japan has so far prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace treaty to end World War II hostilities. The islands were annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II.


KUNASHIR ISLAND (Sakhalin Region), November 1 (RIA Novosti)

Russia's Medvedev signs nuclear power deal with Vietnam

Visiting Russian president Dimitry Medvedev (L) shakes and with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet during an official welcoming ceremony held on October 31, 2010 at the presidential palace in Hanoi. The Russian leader is making a state visit after attending the East Asia summit held on the sidelines of an anual Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the Vietnamese capital. The state visit is aimed at boosting ties between two former communist allies. AFP PHOTO / POOL / HOANG DINH Nam (Photo by HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images)

October 31, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- The construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant will strengthen the country's positions as a strong, independent and modern state, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday following the signing of a nuclear power deal between the two countries.
Under the deal, Russia will initially build two power units in Vietnam with a capacity of 1.2 GW each.

Overall, Vietnam plans to build eight nuclear power plants in five provinces by 2030, with a total capacity of 15 GW, or 10% of all electricity produced in the country. Each NPP would have from four to six generating units.

"This is a very important project, a large project designated for long use. In the final account, if we implement the ideas stipulated in the project and build the capacity designed for the nuclear power plant, the project will capture a considerable part of Vietnam's electricity market," Medvedev said after the signing ceremony in Hanoi.

"We believe that the project will allow Vietnam to develop as a modern and independent state, which does not only extract and refine oil but also uses other sources of energy. And it is very important in a contemporary world to be an independent, strong and modern state," Medvedev said.

Moscow has also pledged to provide Vietnam with a loan for the nuclear power plant construction.


HANOI, October 31 (RIA Novosti)

Putin visits General Shamanov, Commander of Russian Airborne Forces in hospital

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, walks to greet Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, right, in the military hospital in Moscow, Russia, late Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. Shamanov was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday. (Getty Images / AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)

MOSCOW, October 30 (KATAKAMI / Itar-Tass) --- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has visited Airborne Troops Commander Vladimir Shamanov in the Burdenko central military hospital. Shamanov was seriously injured in a road accident on Saturday morning.

Coming into the room, the premier asked how Shamanov felt and noted: "It is good that at least you are smiling."

Specialists are highly skilled here, and so everything will be good, Putin assured. “The spirits are high, and it is the main thing,” he added.

Shamanov thanked the premier for the visit and said: "We will be needed yet."

The premier noted he would not speak at the time about what happened, adding that the main thing was how Shamanov felt.

Speaking to the doctors and hospital executives, Putin noted that serious work was to be done for the general to regain his health. The doctors told the prime minister that Shamanov would undergo an operation next week.

Fifty-three-year-old Shamanov got into the accident in the Tula Region on Saturday morning. The BMW car in which he was collided with a MAZ vehicle. Shamanov was taken to the Burdenko hospital at 19:02 Moscow time. He has an arm trauma, a shin fracture and brain concussion.

(MS)

Russian airborne troops commander injured in traffic accident

Russian Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov

October 30, 2010 (KATAKAMI/ RIA NOVOSTI) --- Russian Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov was injured in a car accident, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Shamanov was on his way to the Tula paratroopers division on Saturday morning when his BMW crashed with a MAZ truck, which veered into the oncoming lane, 500 meters away from the entrance to Tula.

Three Tajik nationals, who were riding in the truck, attempted to escape but were detained by paratroopers, who followed the general's car.

The BMW driver was killed on the spot while Shamanov and Col. Alexei Naumets, the acting commander of the Tula division, were hospitalized. The latter was taken to intensive care.

The ministry's spokesman said Shamanov was conscious and his life was out of danger.

The general will be moved from a Tula hospital to the Burdenko hospital in Moscow, one of Russia's best medical centers.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who appointed Shamanov Airborne Troops commander in May 2009, said, "Shamanov is a strong man. He will recover and continue commanding the Airborne Troops."


MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti)

Russia-ASEAN summit adopts joint statement

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (6th L) holds hands with (L-R) Malaysia's deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot Jaem, Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein, the Philippine's President Benigno Aquino, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laos' Prime Minister Bouasone Buphavanh and ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsawan as they pose for a group photo before the ASEAN-Russia summit at the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Summit of the in Hanoi October 30, 2010. (Getty Images / REUTERS / Hoang Dinh Nam/Pool )

HANOI, October 30 (KATAKAMI / Itar-Tass) -- The leaders attending the Russia-ASEAN forum have adopted a joint statement, in which they recorded common approaches to problems of security and economic development in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as to the deepening of dialogue partnership. President Dmitry Medvedev took part in the summit.

“Russia and ASEAN will closely cooperate in the creation of regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region,” the statement said. “ASEAN welcomes Russia’s contribution to the Financial Fund of Dialogue Partnership, created at the first Russia-ASEAN summit, of annual donations for financing joint projects.”
“ASEAN expresses full support for the Russian-American START Treaty. With this in view we reiterate our allegiance to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,” the leaders stressed.

“Russia and ASEAN proceed from the assumption that present-day challenges to international security in the nuclear sphere should be removed on the basis of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The creation of a nuclear-free zone in South-East Asia will be a contribution to full global nuclear disarmament.”
The leaders reiterated their desire to jointly fight terrorism and agreed to step up contacts between law enforcement agencies.

The leaders pointed to “the growing topicality of the formation in the region of the partner network of multilateral associations and forums. Both Russia and ASEAN will take action for the development of cooperation between ASEAN and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as their anti-terrorist structures.” So far as economic cooperation is concerned, “Russia is going to render assistance to ASEAN in the implementation of the plan of the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community for the development of business in the region.” “We shall analyse a possibility of the expansion of cooperation in industry, of the development of small and medium business and of the exchange of scientific and technological finds in the sphere of energy,” the joint statement said.

(MS)

Photostream : Russian PM Putin & Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin takes part in an expedition to Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Preserve

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R), Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu (C) and former Government Chief of Staff and newly-appointed Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin take part in an expedition to Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Preserve to inspect the snow leopard's habitat in Tyva Republic in the Siberian Federal District in this undated photo.

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L, front) and former Government Chief of Staff and newly-appointed Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (R, front) take part in an expedition to Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Preserve to inspect the snow leopard's habitat in Tyva Republic in the Siberian Federal District in this undated photo. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Ria Novosti/Pool/Alexei Druzhinin )

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rides a horse as he takes part in an expedition to Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Preserve to inspect the snow leopard's habitat in Tyva Republic in the Siberian Federal District in this undated photo. (Getty Images / REUTERS / Ria Novosti / Pool/Alexei Druzhinin )