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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


December 2003 Russia Special Weapons News


  • Russia: Jury Acquits Scientist Accused Of Spying RFE/RL 30 Dec 2003 -- In a rare defeat for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), a jury yesterday acquitted a scientist accused of spying for China. Valentin Danilov's vindication, following a three-year ordeal, heartened human rights activists and raised hopes that others who claim they have been unfairly targeted by the FSB may also see justice.
  • Russia: Chechen Separatist Group Reportedly Destroyed In Daghestan RFE/RL 30 Dec 2003 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said today federal forces killed a group of separatists in the southern republic of Daghestan, which neighbors Chechnya.
  • Russia: Police Seize Books Implicating FSB RFE/RL 29 Dec 2003 -- Thousands of copies of a book implicating Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in a series of deadly Moscow apartment blasts have been seized by Russian authorities.
  • RUSSIA / GEORGIA VOA 25 Dec 2003 -- At their first meeting in Moscow since the Georgian revolution, Georgia's interim leader Nino Burjanadze and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they hope to open a new chapter in the often-strained relations between their two countries.
  • RUSSIA / POLITICS VOA 21 Dec 2003 -- Russia's two liberal parties have decided not to run candidates in the March presidential election. Both groups say under President Vladimir Putin, Russian opposition groups have no chance of succeeding.
  • China, Russia to strengthen military cooperation PLA Daily 19 Dec 2003 -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov met with Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan on Thursday, during which they expressed readiness to further strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.
  • Military cooperation contributes to better Sino-Russian ties, say ministers PLA Daily 18 Dec 2003 -- Deepening the Sino-Russian strategic partnership in the spirit of good-neighborliness, mutual benefit and cooperation will be a diplomatic priority for both sides, said visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan here Tuesday.
  • RUSSIA / PUTIN VOA 18 Dec 2003 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his intention to run for re-election in next year's presidential election, scheduled for March. The long-awaited confirmation of his candidacy came during a nationally-televised question-and-answer session with the Russian public, just two weeks after pro-Kremlin parties won a strong majority in parliamentary elections.
  • Russia: Moscow Hosts Talks On Strengthening Chinese Military Ties RFE/RL 16 Dec 2003 -- Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan arrived in Moscow yesterday for a weeklong Russia visit aimed at strengthening the two countries' military cooperation -- particularly on arms sales.
  • Russia: Chechen Fighters Break Through Security Cordon, Release Hostages RFE/RL 16 Dec 2003 -- Military operations are continuing today to hunt down armed Chechen militants who briefly seized a village in Russia's southern republic of Daghestan.
  • Russia: Chechen Separatists Take Hostages In Daghestan RFE/RL 15 Dec 2003 -- The office of the Russian Interior Ministry in the southern republic of Daghestan says a group of armed Chechen separatists appears to have eluded pursuit of military and border-guard units and has taken several hostages.
  • RUSSIA / POLITICS VOA 13 Dec 2003 -- Russia is marking the 10th anniversary of its constitution, which critics say gives too much power to the presidency. But President Vladimir Putin has praised the law of the land, saying it has helped stabilize Russia through the tumultuous changes of the post-Soviet era.
  • 2003 & Beyond: In Russia, Putin Solidifies Power As Chechen Conflict Festers RFE/RL 12 Dec 2003 -- This past year brought steady economic growth to Russia, thanks largely to the high price of oil, as President Vladimir Putin skillfully managed a delicate period in international relations while strengthening his political power domestically.
  • MOSCOW / BLAST VOA 09 Dec 2003 -- At least five people are dead after an explosion in Central Moscow (today/Tuesday). President Putin addressed a legislative council meeting shortly after the blast and said that terrorists must not be allowed to disrupt Russia's democratic and economic development.
  • Russia: Bomb Explodes Near Kremlin, Killing Several People RFE/RL 09 Dec 2003 -- An explosion in central Moscow today killed at least five people and injured at least 13, Russian and international media reported.
  • Russian Elections Well-Organized but Didn't Meet International Standards Washington File 08 Dec 2003 -- Elections for Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on December 7 were professionally organized by the Central Election Commission but "failed to meet many OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, calling into question Russia's willingness to move towards European standards for democratic elections," according to a preliminary report by international observers.
  • RUSSIA/OBSERVERS VOA 08 Dec 2003 -- International observers monitoring Russia's parliamentary election say the vote was free, but failed to meet many democratic standards. Western observers say the balloting calls into question Russia's real commitment to reform.
  • RUSSIA / ELECTION UPDATE VOA 07 Dec 2003 -- The party supporting President Vladimir Putin in Russia is holding a big lead according to preliminary results of Sunday's parliamentary election. The result was not unexpected
  • RUSSIA/ELECTION VOA 06 Dec 2003 -- In Russian elections Sunday, 450 seats in the Duma, the country's lower house of parliament, are at stake. A party supported by President Vladimir Putin appears set to make a strong showing
  • RUSSIA/BLAST VOA 05 Dec 2003 -- Security has been increased across the North Caucasus after an explosion on a commuter train near Chechnya, in which 37 people died and about 150 others were injured. Russian President Vladimir Putin blames terrorists for the bombing, and vows to punish the culprits.
  • Russia: 40 Killed As Bomb Rips Through Passenger Train In Southern Russia RFE/RL 05 Dec 2003 -- At least 40 people were killed and dozens injured today when a blast ripped through a passenger train in Russia's southern Stavropol Krai, not far from the breakaway republic of Chechnya.
  • RUSSIA TRAIN VOA 05 Dec 2003 -- At least 32 people are dead and about 60 others injured after an explosion tore through a commuter train in southern Russia, near Chechnya.
  • RUSSIA / WEAPONS VOA 04 Dec 2003 -- Russian officials say they will work on developing a program to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, as called for by President Vladimir Putin.
  • Military Measure Taken by Russia Supported KCNA 03 Dec 2003 -- Frokopenko, military attache of the Russian embassy here, called a press conference on Nov. 20 at which he introduced in detail the results of the meeting held at the Russian Ministry of Defence as regards the military principle of Russia and the document of the ministry "The immediate tasks for the development of armed forces of the Russian Federation".
  • ROK, Russia Agree on Early Nuke Talks Korea-net 03 Dec 2003 -- South Korea and Russia agreed on Monday (Dec. 1) to make efforts to persuade North Korea to enter another round of six-party talks to address their concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions, the Yonhap News Agency reported.



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