Russian press review 09.11.06

Russian press writes about the outcome of the mid-term elections in the US, development of the situation arond the nuclear program of Iran, role of Russia in the Balkans and touches upon the problem of Russian children poor health.

“Novye Izvestia” writes the results of U.S. mid-term elections won’t produce any great impact on American-Russian relations until the 2008 presidential polls in the United States. The paper adds U.S foreign policy is still determined by President Bush who has very friendly relationship with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

“Nezavisimaya Gazeta” writes the U.S. Democrats will pursue a more hardline policy towards Russia. They think the U.S. should develop and strengthen cooperation with Russia in areas, such as the economy and the energy sector, but should link it more to the progress of democracy in Russian society.

On the eve of the Iranian Foreign Minister's arrival in Moscow,  “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” indicates  that unlike many political observers, Russia’s representative to the U.N. Vitaly Churkin doesn’t think the situation in the UN Security Council on Iran’s nuclear program has reached a dead end. He says it's the right time to discuss European, American and Russian amendments to the existing resolution on Iran. In other words, the paper’s source says, it’s time to start a real fight over the balance of interests.

“Vremya Novostei” carries an interview with Nenad Popovich, a Serb government official in charge of Kosovo’s economic development. He thanked Russia for its firm stance on Kosovo, which, in his view, is prompted by the need to preserve and respect international law and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent state.

Popovic also says the demonstration of growing international role – be it the Balkans, Iran or North Korea – was much more important for contemporary Russia than territorial enlargement or accession of new territories, like Abkhazia or South Ossetia.

Not a single Russian school student remains healthy nowadays, “Novye Izvestia” points out, analyzing the data issued by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
Bad nutrition and overwork play a crucial part in the worsening of children’s health, writes the paper.

It’s not surprising, the daily goes on to say, given that Russia’s school canteens are poorly equipped and Russia’s school days have become the longest and most intense in the world.

“Kommersant” writes that the recent six-hour traffic jam got on Moscow deputies’ nerves so much so that they met to discuss the reasons behind the unbearable transport situation in the Russian capital. It turned out that only modification of Federal legislation will save the city from total traffic gridlock.