Keine Frage: Wer Arbeitskleidung trägt, der schützt nicht nur sich und sorgt damit für seine Gesundheit, er trägt in vielen Fällen auch den strengen gesetzlichen Vorschriften Rechnung. Denn tatsächlich muss Berufsbekleidung genau nach der Art der Tätigkeit getragen werden. Ob das Haarnetz, das für die Arbeit in der gewerblichen Küche vorgeschrieben ist, oder die massiven Schuhe, die dafür sorgen, dass sicherer Tritt und Belastung zugleich bewältigt werden: Funktionalität ist inzwischen selbstverständlich. So finden sich an den Arbeitskombis für Handwerker oftmals spezielle Taschen und Schlaufen, in denen spezielles Werkzeug befestigt werden kann. Das bedeutet auch, dass damit Unfallquellen frühzeitig vermieden werden.

Letztlich hat Arbeitskleidung noch ein besonderes Plus vorzuweisen. Durch eine einheitliche Kleidung kann auch die Corporate Identity geschaffen werden. Oftmals ist Berufskleidung – ob im Gastgewerbe oder im Kundendienst – so geschneidert, dass der Kunde bereits auf den ersten Blick erkennen kann, um welche Firma es sich handelt. Ein markantes Logo, ein passendes Basecap oder die Schürze, die typisch für das Restaurant ist: Berufsbekleidung einzusetzen, ist also in vielfacher Hinsicht sinnvoll. Wer sich für solche entscheidet, sollte sich deshalb gezielt für eine entsprechenden Ausstatter entscheiden. Denn die Wahl für solche Kleidung zahlt sich langfristig doppelt aus – weil sie die eigentliche Kleidung schont, aber auch, weil sie hilft, die Gesundheit nachhaltig zu schützen.

Die aktuellen Entwicklungen am Markt

Wenn es um die aktuellen Entwicklungen geht, dann ist auffallend, dass die PCs immer kleiner und handlicher werden. So gibt es Notebooks verschiedener Marken, die schon in vielen Haushalten zu finden sind. Den Kunden ist es wichtig, dass sie auch mobil auf die Unterlagen und das Internet zugreifen können und auch im eigenen Haushalt spart man durch einen Notebook weitaus mehr Platz, als dies bei einem normalen Bildschirm und dem benötigten Rechner der Fall wäre. Zudem werden die Geräte auch immer moderner, wenn es um die technische Ausstattung geht. Auch so macht die Arbeit am PC wieder Spaß und durch ein Modem können alle Bewohner problemlos und ohne Kabel auf das Internet zugreifen.

Neue Trends unter den Computern

Auch von aktuellen Trends ist diese Branche betroffen und auch hier sind es wieder die Kunden, welche die Unternehmen bei der Arbeit und den Entwicklungen beeinflussen. Zu den aktuellen Trends am Markt gehören nicht nur die immer kleiner werdenden Geräte, sondern mitunter sind es auch Produkte wie das Smartphone und die so genannten Tablet PCs, welche den normalen Computer mehr und mehr ersetzen. Auch mit diesen Geräten können Nutzer auf das Internet und die entsprechenden Funktionen zugreifen und sich zudem auch mit Freunden austauschen, wenn es um die Social Communities geht, die auch eine relevante Rolle spielen.

Is it really comfortable?

If you take a stroll through the shops or webshops, you should keep this question in mind, no matter how fancy or up-to-date the design and outer appearance of a sofa might be. Trends and fashions tend to change quickly, even in the world of interior design (wikipedia.org)! Trends come and go but our demands, our need for comfort and relaxation remains. If you´re not entirely sure if you´ll have plenty of extra space for a spacious sofa you can sprawl out on or if you frequently need to make some extra space for sleeping places for guests, you should consider getting a sleeper sofa. Maybe you´re even looking for a space-saving, yet comfortable and cozy sofa solution for yourself, these sleeper sofas make sure that you have both the comfort since they come with functional extras like pull out mechanisms and a tidy and clean look when needed.

Limited space?

If space is a general problem and very limited, you could always consider trying the smaller version of a sleeper sofa and sleep on a lounge chair. Originally designed in the 1950ies, lounge chairs may always have been highly fashionable, lately they´re coming in a bit broader and even more comfortable shapes though which allow you to take a relaxing nap in them.

Functionality and comfort don´t have to be incompatible, you just need to find the best solution for your personal demands!

Here are the Reiki symbols along with their meanings.

Cho Ku Ray: Also known as the Power Symbol which means ” God and Man coming together” or also means ” I have the key”. This symbol is mainly used to boost your Reiki power by drawing energy from around you so that you can focus it on where you want it. It is used as a all purpose symbol. When you are using this symbol it is said that your energy increases.

Sei Hei Ki: Also known as the Mental and Emotional symbol which means ” God and Man coming together” or also means ” Key to the Universe”. Is mainly used for mental and emotional healing, protection, clearing and balancing. It is to balance the left and right brain.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: Also known as The Distance Symbol which means ” The God in me meets the God in you to promote enlightenment and peace”. This is used to send Reiki healing over distance and time (which can be past, present or the future) to anyone or anything. There are no barriers.

Tam A Ra Sha: Also known as The Balancing Factor which means it is a balancing and unblocking symbol. It is mainly used for grounding and balancing.

The Reiki Master Symbol

Dai Ko Myo: Which can only be used by a Reiki Master. It is the most powerful symbol in Reiki symbols. It is used to expand wisdom. It is used to heal the soul. Since it is used to heal your soul it can be used to heal sickness and disease. Is also can be used to become more psychic and also intuitive. When used by a Master it can bring profound life changes.
This Reiki symbol also helps bring peace and enlightenment.

Each candidate for the GAMSAT must first possess a Bachelor’s Degree before taking the exam. After the test there is an interview process. Various Universities have different criteria.

The GAMSAT is a 5 hour exam which will assess your logical reasoning skills, analytical skills as well as your ability to expression ideas in a structured way. Each examinee will be required to read and comprehend a writing passage, interpret some graphical information displays. During the test the examinee will need to apply mathematical relationships to problem solving.

The test is in three parts:

Section One conations 75 questions on Social Sciences and Reasoning in Humanities taking up an average of 100 minutes.

Section Two is 2 essay questions on Written Communication which will take up about 60 minutes.

Section Three is Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences which contains 110 questions and should take an average of 170 minutes.

Candidates can register at www.gamsat.acer.edu.au. Keep in mind the GAMSAT is only offered once a year usually in late March or early April in Australia and Ireland with various test centers located in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. The test is also offered around the middle or end of September in the UK. The GAMSAT requires early registration, usually by late January in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, and August in the UK. The test is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

The main focus of the GAMSAT is self-directed learning. Different Medical schools will have their own objectives for the graduate-entry programs and the Graduates of these schools shall work as medical interns in order to develop their individual careers after they have gained sufficient training in their field of specialization.

The test will take a full day beginning at 8am and lasting until about 4pm. The best way to prepare for this test is, of course, to study and although there is no specific synopsis of the test, it will demand levels of knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and general proficiency in English.

A list of helpful study materials and tips, as well as practice tests can be found at: http://www.gamsatuk.org/.

A trip to Singapore can be an exciting event for an individual or the entire family. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, there are plenty of exciting things to see and do in Singapore. Some of these things may seem unrealistic to your budget-until now.

Travelers have a new choice for finding outstanding deals while in Singapore with www.deal.com.sg. This incredible site offers discounts between 40% and 95% on your Singapore needs! The entire process is simple and pain free! Each day a new deal is offered. Once a specified amount of buyers has been reached, the deal is on, meaning its time to pack your suitcase,because you are going to enjoy the finest things in Singapore-at a price you will love. Most deals take an average of 24 hours to close. After the 24 hour period, the deal is on and you have gotten yourself an amazing value for the things you love the most.

After you have made your deal, you will receive your voucher in your email box. Print the voucher and take it along with you. Redeem it at the merchant you have selected and the savings begin. Its so easy anyone can do it, and once you start making deals, you won’t want to stop. Each day a new deal is offered that you are sure to want to take advantage of. Most deals are closed, but in the event the number of buyers is not reached, do not worry! You will never pay for a deal that doesn’t go through.

Deal.com.sg features deals on almost anything Singapore has to offer. From hotel room rentals to dining and entertainment, there is always a large selection of deals for you to take advantage of. Deals for bars, classes, recreational activities, and more are all available. The site offers top of the line choices for your deals, as well as some of the lesser known, but checked out and approved places to visit in Singapore. Your deals can be purchased in advance so you can get the price you are looking for. Vouchers remain valid and can be used for up to 6 months after your initial purchase.

There is no better place to go when you are looking for outstanding values in Singapore. You will love the site, the prices, and all of the money you will save! Start making your deals now!

Guitar

Finding the perfect guitar teacher for children can be a difficult process. Teaching children differs from adult lessons in a teacher’s ability to explain the information in a way a child can understand. The teaching style will be important in determining how well a child learns to play guitar, and a good fit should be obvious after a few lessons. There are a variety of methods used for teaching children guitar depending on the child’s age and ability. There is the Suzuki method, which is by ear, or sight-reading notes on the page after learning what they mean. Deciding what style of music is also required in finding a guitar teacher because there are so many different styles. A classical teacher may not be the best teacher for someone wanting to learn rock and roll. It is also important to know how much a teacher charges, and there are plenty of good teachers whatever the budget. Lastly, the best places to find a teacher for guitar lessons for a child include music stores, word of mouth, online, and college music departments. The best method would be word of mouth since the ability to glean information about the above questions is easier this way, but music stores are a great resource for finding a teacher as well. Finding children guitar lessons can be difficult process, but it is rewarding when the perfect teacher is finally found.

“Gazeta.Ru” and Newsweek have noted a symbolical boundary of the second term of office. On August 13 the Internet-newspaper published the report from a session of one of political clubs on this theme. The magazine summed up the results on June 22.

The fact of a different interpretation of symbolical date should not surprise. Vladmir Putin has more hundred days’ anniversaries than any another political figure of a comparable level in the newest Russian history.

First of them after the appointment for a post of the Prime Minister on August 9 1999, was marked with unprecedented rise of political trust and recognition as the national leader.

If to consider it absolutely scrupulously the second hundred days should be calculated after this appointment was sanctioned by Duma on August 16. But it has no sense. The time discrepancy between the presidential decree and voting in parliament was insignificant. The periods of formation of a new political epoch have coincided.

During the third hundred days boundary after the appointment in the quality as the acting President of the Russian Federation on December 31 1999 the main event was the elections on March 26 2000. It reoriented observers on bringing the first results of Putin’s board in the future. Inauguration (on May 7 2000) has repeated this phenomenon concerning the fourth period of hundred days.

By an outcome of the fifth hundred days Vladimir Putin already could show the voters some sort of portfolio. The military victory in Chechnya and creation of the power vertical fixed the first positions achieved in the performance of the slogan on the elementary order in the country. The plan of the tax reform and simplification of enterprises’ registration have strengthened economic growth outlined. The new law on political parties and the declared interest to real independence of the media have fastened a general direction of the political mode development. The rigid rhetoric in conversation with the USA has shown that the new president is ready to assert Russian national interests seriously. The initiative to create the European antimissile defense and expansion of diplomatic activity on all azimuths have shown the flexibility and ability to find dissymetric responses to America which policy caused the increasing irritation in Russia.

Today the seventh honey period has ended. Its political results as a whole were strategically predicted in its tactical unpredictability. This form of stability is one of the basic sides of Vladimir Putin’s image. Probably that’s why in a number of key parameters the expected results of this summer do not surprise.

The changes took place during some key events. The first of them is the National Address to the Federal Assembly.

The Address-2004 is a liberal declaration about liberal intentions

The main political document of the year contained all correct and pertinent words for the history. The requirements of respectability showed to the democratic country are observed to the full. It is necessary to note that during Vladimir Putin’s stay at powers the press never showed such preliminary awareness on the Address. The maintenance of Putin’s speeches was kept in a secret until the last minute. It became even original tradition. This time, the basic themes are development and reform of public health services and education, development of the market of accessible habitation, modernization of army and reform of the social sphere – became known and have started to be discussed in press even before the speech.

Putin’s fifth address and the first after the re-election could be considered through a prism of all previous ones only. The press fixed the stability of the liberal development in economy noting the toughening of the social and economic problems: to reduce inflation up to 3 % and the number poor twice by 2007, to double GDP by 2010 (the Address-2003 supposed to make it in 10 years).

However, speaking about these reforms the president called to not tighten a belt telling about improvement of a life of citizens. It allowed some analysts to assume that there was a transformation aside paternalistic state. Social reform of the summer has denied these estimations.

Vladimir Putin spoke about increase of a living standard this time extremely much. Concrete figures are named: 30 million people live below a level of poverty. Decrease in inflation to 3 % means aspiration to come nearer to the standard of the countries of the European Community: 2 %. In other words the Address had extremely economic and managerial character. It has continued traditions of Putin’s style. The big place in discussion of the Address-2004 took a guessing of analysts about what Putin preferred to hold back. It is Chechnya  (the question was dissolved in a foreign policy part in the context of struggle against terrorism) and army (the monetary component of reform has left on the foreground). Vladimir Putin did not mention the issue of the parties’ integration and on the idea of transition to elections to the Duma extremely under the party lists. President missed to say about the main political event of 2003 – a victory of “United Russia” at elections to the State Duma. Meanwhile the discussion of the elective legislation reform took place since May. In the beginning of August on behalf of the Central Elective Commission specific proposals in this occasion were formulated.

In brief the idea of the reform looks like that:

Voters in each constituent member of the Russian Federation vote not only for the party but also for the concrete candidate from its regional list; if the party as a whole breaks the seven-percentage threshhold established by the law, places in Duma are received by those its candidates for whom voted the majority of voters in regions; the proportional system is distributed to all 450 places in Duma.

The address-2004 says nothing about the necessity to reform the legislation on a referendum. Meanwhile, the amendments accepted for these months extremely bureaucratized this procedure. Now it can really be taken advantage by the authority leaning on the ramified structures and administrative resource only. The new law first of all is directed against the Communist Party of the Russian Federation which the last year already tried to initiate a referendum on questions of increase of salaries, decrease in tariffs for services of housing and communal services and nationalization of strategic branches.

Administrative reform: when the dreams come true

The second significant event of the past period is a long waited and suddenly started Administrative reform.

Opened by Putin know-how method of voters’ activity amplification is the pre-electoral resignation of the government (on February, 24, 2004) appeared to be multi-purposed. The large-scaled staff reduction and re-structuring of all official system became possible thanks to the reformation of the federal bureaucratic platform.

The reform began from the reorganization of the Presidential Administration. Its first attributes appeared right after Alexander Voloshin’s resignations, but the active phase took about two months. On April 21 its head Dmitry Medvedev signed the order “On distribution of duties between officials of administration of the president of the Russian Federation”.

His five former deputies became assistants to the head of the state with rather large powers. Political results expressed the fact that earlier the president was a figure of the compromise between old and new officials. Now he dominates and rules.

Actual merge of the cabinet and Putin’s own office in the uniform government has finished the reform of his administration. The precise signal was sent that all departments would be resulted in a uniform denominator including power structures. The majority of observers assumed that it is hardly possible. Nevertheless it has taken place. Reform has successfully passed through the governmental level and is cunning up to each of power bodies.

Government

Right after the repeated appointment of the cabinet (resignation of the Government was necessary by virtue of the constitutional norm ordering this procedure after inauguration) Vladimir Putin at the meeting with prime-minister Mikhail Fradkov let know that he expects the further diminution of the administrative device and reorganization of federal departments. The ideology of reform of the Federal Government was to liquidate the internal conflict when the same department writes laws, carries out supervision of their execution, adjusts access on the markets and through the subordinated enterprises renders commercial services. Therefore the three-tier system has been generated: the ministries, services and agencies.

On March 9 the number of the ministries, as is known, was reduced by the decree from 23 up to 14 but the general number of departments has grown from 59 up to 73. Such structure was recognized to be imperfect. Federal Hydro-metereology and Environmental Monitoring Service was simply forgotten. Power ministries were indignant because of disappearance of committee on a geodesy and cartography, whose services used. The presidential decree from May 20 specified the structure of federal bodies. Their total number is equal to 81.

Mikhail Fradkov insisted on deducing of supervision from ministers and on subordinating them to him. However, most likely it would have contradicted to the pyramidal ideology to create an executive vertical and would have reanimated Prime Minister as an independent political center.

On August 11 Vladimir Putin signed the bill into the law “On the state civil service of the Russian Federation”. It assigns to officials the right and obligations, sets in the system of payment for their work.

It has a number of novels. For the first time the conclusion of the service contract with officials is provided. The evolution from privileged medical care of the state employees to medical insurance and accumulative principle of pension formation for a long service is planned.

The law sets in four categories of official status: the head, the assistant (counselor), the expert and the providing expert, which are in its turn subdivided into five groups: the maximum, main, leading, senior and younger. The class grades are also provided.

Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry turned to be the first ministry directly subordinated to the president as a result of Administrative reform. The number of deputy foreign ministers will be reduced from 12 up to 7 while the central staff from 3,500 people to 3,028 people.

The mere ideological directions of its work have been changed. To double GDP foreign investments are demanded. According to President ambassadors should assist the process of insuring potential investors of Russia economic attractiveness

Interior Ministry

After long meditations and discussions the top management of the country has decided not to experiment and stop on the softest variant of “power reform.” “Quiet” character of the decrees puts the end to conversations about crushing Internal Ministry on a number of independent services and departments. Instead of the current main and “ordinary” directorates, the ministry will have no more than 15 departments covering the main areas of its work.

The Interior Ministry will change only in terms of its internal structures and the names of some departments. Its major components, such as the Investigation Committee and the Chief Command of Interior Troops will remain intact. Variants of creation of separate departments of a state traffic inspectorate (on the basis of motor licensing and inspection department), on tax and economic crimes, on maintenance of public and criminal order are being discussed.

The reform is carried out for unification of the ministries and departments. Therefore central administrative boards of the Internal Ministry will be titled departments as in the civil ministries. In total such departments will be equal to 15. Its major components, such as the Investigation Committee as a basis for future Federal Investigation Service and the Chief Command of Interior Troops, which later is supposed to be transformed into the National Guard will remain intact.

The total number of the Internal Ministry’s central device is determined. It will make 2970 person. Till now there were 3800 established posts in the central device. The new table of equipment and organization of the central device establishes 2222 militia posts, 545 – military men of internal armies, 203 – state employees.

FSB

When Putin signed the decree about new structure of executive authority and entrusted to present offers on the power block self-reforming, siloviki especially responsible for safety of the nation were seemed not to be touched at all. It was confirmed also with employees of power departments, and officials in Putin’s administration. Firstly FSB as the structure was not discussed at all as an object of reforming.

It contains secret and open parts. The number of FSB deputy directors will be reduced from 12 (including three first deputies) to four (with two first deputies). The director and his deputies will be equal to a Russian Minister and his Deputies in terms of status. FSB departments will be entrusted with services’ status and contain their own departments and agencies. Though renaming of FSB into the Ministry of State Security will not take place, a number of experts mark with fear strengthening positions of this power department. At the same time, representatives of special services disagree with these fears or dissatisfied with insufficient FSB amplification.

Within the framework of administrative reform FSB has considerably raised the status. Its name though remains former, but department has actually received ministry structure and powers. The decree also raises the status of the FSB’s top officers: the director and his deputies will be equal to a Russian minister and his deputies in terms of status, wages, social and living conditions, and medical coverage.

Defense Ministry

It is known, that the chief of the General Staff had essentially different from Sergey Ivanov’s point of view concept of military department functioning. Kvashnin supported preservation and even amplification of the General Staff’s role, when Defense Ministry became mainly a civil department involved in personnel, armament and legislative activity, etc. Such succession of events obviously did not suit Sergey Ivanov. Leaning on Vladimir Putin’s support Minister has put forward and actively realizes his own concept of Armed forces management where the Ministry is supposed to be the basic managing body. The General Staff is deprived of the armed troops managerial functions, which now are carried out by Minister with the help of one of his first deputies. The General Staff will exercise mainly strategic planning.

End of oligarchy: well-chosen enemy

During the past period the withdrawal from oligarchic system has been finally politically made out. Symbolical event, which has designated this mark in history, became a long-awaited meeting of the president with representatives of business circles.

The majority of observers did not miss the chance to note the circumstance that the action was appointed not as usually in the main hall of the Big Kremlin palace but in the guest extension. Observers state opinions that thus the Administration of the head of the state showed businessmen their true place under the sun. The conversation passed on the logic designated by the president. Experts were left in opinion that in all two hours of the conversation nobody touched the main questions of a present situation.

Thus, one of chosen for Putin opponents, oligarchs finally discharged of political processes. The problem of lobbying in damage of the state interests also in this sense should look decided.

Social reform: love and money

To start the second term of office with stability of authority for Vladimir Putin should be recognized as a political background ideal. The platform was cleared away and was practically exclusively taken by the party “United Russia”, which main slogan is support of the president. The system of oligarchy is demounted.

Regional elites have been pushed finally aside from game at a federal level of political authority. There was no more sense to appeal to them: barrier on a way of realization of nation-wide problems are eliminated, all is made quickly and effectively to put into practice a policy of the federal center.

On all parameters the perfect conditions for the major reforms, which, first of all, should release the state budget from excessive social mandates build a rigid and transparent budgetary policy. Key item is the replacement of privileges with monetary payments.

Discussion of the most complex from political point of view reform of Vladimir Putin’s second term is Soviet social security system’s dismantle, which reaches critical degree. There is a fear that presidential constitutional majority in the State Duma is under the threat. Mass meetings show that explanatory work for the population appeared insufficient. Intensity of television propagation could not replace propaganda in person to person format. Here United Russia appeared to be a weak ally for Putin. There is already no mutual consent with a number of reform positions inside the party at a level of Duma committees.

Nevertheless, this major and extremely unpopular step has been made. Putin has shown ability to be equally effective in a role of the political leader compelled to think of the following elections and to roles of the statesman thinking what will be with the country in 10 years.

G8/2004 and relations with world powers

Becoming of a political mode of Putin’s second term has taken place in extremely favorable international conditions – the need of Russian presence in traditional zones of world influence has increased (the Balkans, for example), Europe has been limited with a hope of Kioto protocol ratification (to speed up process of preparation for ratification, but not ratification itself), the USA required support of the new resolution on Iraq and the initiative under ” the Broader Middle East.”

Putin’s conservative strategy in world policy provides him with allies. Europeans are fed up by the U.S. administration’s ambitions. Arabic leaders are frightened by Washington’s efforts to legitimate its interference into their domestic policy. The summit’s discussion of American initiatives on the Middle East modernization, the adoption of the SC UN resolution on transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi government are the reasons for Moscow to strengthen its positions.

Russian press gives a good mark to the SC UN resolution on Iraq. At expressing its attitude to American mission in Iraq Moscow acted highly diplomatically. American initiatives on the Broader Middle East as predicted were neutralized. G8 leaders supported the refusal to transfer equipment and technologies of uranium enrichment and processing within the next year, says the non-proliferation plan adopted at the summit. It will be high on the agenda of the following G-8 summit in Great Britain 2005.

Vladimir Putin expects the Middle East democratic process to be of great importance as monetary resources being wielded by a group of persons are another cause of terrorism. During G-8 summit Russia clearly gave to understand that democratization cannot be used as a pretext for interference into home policy. Moscow’s participation in the Broader Middle East initiative will depend on the observance of this term.

Becoming a regional world power

The system of Russian unions declared by Vladimir Putin on the first term of office began to find precise organizational structure and systematical character in the beginning of the second one. The burden of the geopolitical inheritance of Soviet Union and Russian empire in process of opportunities is better for dividing it with neighbors.

Shinghai Cooperation Organization

At his first term of office Vladimir Putin argued of a system of Russian allies. Now it gains strict and delineated form and structure. Nowadays Shanghai Cooperation Organization is transforming into a pan-Asian alliance providing regional stability. Its main tasks are terrorism struggle and aide to Afghanistan. Russia and China together with other summiteers are aiming to restrict the U.S. military and political activities in the region. Moscow states to fulfill the power vacuum by the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Chinese cooperation in the sphere of countering modern threats and challenges is a unique opportunity to involve the Medium Power in the system of global security. The first practical action of the SCO summit was the ceremony of official opening of the operating Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), created to exchange information concerned with the struggle against terrorism.

CIS

The policy with CIS countries is proved to be precisely pragmatic. While delivering a long speech at a Security Council session on July 19, Vladimir Putin made a number of significant statements related to the Commonwealth of Independent States. According to the Russian leader, the CIS is not effective enough in its current form and the protracted reform process threatens this international organization with further decline, if not worse.

Mr Putin stressed that the CIS had now reached a decisive moment. In essence, member states are faced with a choice: either they work to qualitatively strengthen the CIS, and make it a genuinely working, influential regional structure in the world, or this geopolitical organization will become irrelevant. “Moscow should prevent this turn of events,” the president stated emphatically.

Uniform Economic Space

Uniform economic space (UES) is one of new integration projects called to strengthen the previous associations on the post Soviet space or to replace them. Symbolically repeating the formula of writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn declared for the first time at the end of 80th. XX centuries is addressed by Russia first of all for Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan only.

At UES summit in Yalta on May, 24 Vladimir Putin precisely declared that he is going to achieve signing key working agreements to the beginning of 2006. However observers noticed that disputes between presidents about quantity of the documents necessary for UES high-grade functioning are not an occasion for optimistic forecasts.

In Yalta leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus could not sign any document allowing UES to operate. Sources in Russian delegation recognized that UES could not take place till problems concerning Russia and Ukraine unsolved. It will not happen at least in the nearest half-year before presidential elections in Ukraine.

Kazakhstan is interested in decrease in tariff transport loading. Ukraine is in decrease in loading on railroad rates. Among key interests of Russia is the establishment of a national treatment for investments. The Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko who ingenuously openly declared doubts of UES future that it risks to turn to the structure similar to CIS.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization

The heads of states incorporated in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have welcomed elaboration of efficient mechanisms for countering modern threats and challenges, especially drug smuggling from Afghanistan and prevention export of terrorism from the country. A plan of joint exercises by the collective rapid-deployment force to be held not only for military operations but also for countering drag traffics and terror groups neutralization.

Ukraine

The high level of personal trust to Putin in the countries of the near abroad dictates necessity for local politicians to show close and confidential relations with the owner of Kremlin. In this sense Ukraine not only no exception to the rule but is the most eloquent example. Victor Janukovicha’s pre-election task is to support image of Putin’s friend and by the end of campaign to distance from Kuchma to get voices of the western areas. Victor Jushchenko’s objective is even not to receive the terrible characteristics of a politic not to agree with Putin.

Leonid Kuchma’s decision to exclude from the Military doctrine of Ukraine the thesis about preparation for membership in NATO and European Community is a result of Kremlin’s new intentional policy direction with Belarus and Ukraine at Putin’s.

Ukrainian management asserts that such serious changes were brought at a session of Ukraine and NATO top-level commission, taken place at the end of June in Istanbul during NATO summit taking place there.

Such turn of Kiev from the West on the East can be considered as an obvious victory of Moscow over rivalry for influence on Ukraine. On the other hand, it is a payment of the Ukrainian political elite led by Kuchma for support of Moscow before Ukrainian presidential elections forthcoming on October 31.

Kazakhstan

There is a problem of Kazakhstan air defense systems modernization.

Kazakhstan has not yet concluded an agreement with Britain’s Bae Systems on modernizing its air defense systems but such proposals are being considered.

Kazakh Defense Minister admitted the on-going talks with Bae Systems but remarked that there is no likelihood of an agreement to be signed in the near future. He believes that air defense modernization should be regarded from the angle of adaptation to the Kazakh armament systems.

Kazakh Defense Ministry and Russian official sources and comes to a conclusion that Kazakhstan has frightened Russia to start at long last its air defense systems modernization.

Belarus

The press is not surprised at all by the forgoing closure of representation of a federal TV-channel in allied Belarus. The public opinion has finally written down Alexander Lukashenko in one number with exotic modes, which are more habitually seen in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The fact that it became possible in the center of Europe is probably one of unpredictable consequences of the big cataclysm titled disintegration of the Soviet empire.

The essence of the Belarus question for Vladimir Putin may most likely be formed in the following way. How to keep a present level of communications between peoples in conditions of potential instability in the event of Lukashenko to press through the third term? Potential danger of anti-Russian moods growth should be mentioned as an additional factor. On the one hand, accusing Kremlin in support of dictatorship the opposition can play on this thesis, on other aspiring to lead Constitutional referendum without Moscow’s content Lukashenko more and more persistently addresses to national instincts.

Crises: doubtful prognosis

In first hundred days of the second term Vladimir Putin has collided with three serious calls: murder of the president of the Chechen Republic Ahmad Kadyrov, invasion of rebels into Ingushetia and the danger of a new conflict in Georgian autonomies.

As a whole the aggravation of the situation on Caucasus should be considered in a wide context of the general situation between Northern Africa and Southeast Asia (so-called “the Arch of instability”). During last decade this territory balances on the verge of hit in a number of the states in which the population has no social prospects, but is extremely susceptible to political and religious alarms.

Chechnya

Presidential elections in Chechnya are considered to be the first large political event opening a new political season. Registration of the candidates already comes to an end. Today the press actively discusses the results of nominations. Forecasts of the analysts who in May declared that forthcoming elections would be very similar to the previous ones were justified. The political stake is counted on a figure of police general Alu Alkhanov. Kremlin has decided that for today it’s just him who shows ability to continue the strategy, which fixes all key roles in a former rebellious province for local, loyal to the federal center leaders to limit a disputed zone of Russian Caucasus with Chechnya. It is defied by other strategy aiming expansion of  “Arches of instability” on other territories. Invasion at Ingushetia on June 22 and yesterday’s explosions in Dagestan show main thrusts’ directions.

Meanwhile in August it was found out that there are certain plans to cancel presidential elections in Chechnya and set in a mode of the state of emergency in the republic. Thus it is offered to establish a post of special presidential plenipotentiary on a management of counter-terrorist operation on Northern Caucasus. He will be simultaneously acting as the head of the administration of the Chechen Republic. This post of office is to be established at least for two years and taken by “the skilled and resolute commander” i.e. the representative of military. The motivation is simple – the situation in Chechnya, especially after spot-check of militants to Ingushetia and large-scaled actions in Avtury, Kizlyar and Аrgun went out of control.

Ingushetia

Vladimir Putin’s reaction to the Russian generals failures in Ingushetia on June 22 links with large-scaled reshuffles in Russia’s Army. President dismissed Anatoly Kvashnin, chief of the General Staff, Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, chief commander of the interior troops, Mikhail Labunets, commander of the North Caucasus district of the interior troops, and Anatoly Yezhkov, deputy director of the FSB. Yuri Baluyevsky, former first deputy of Gen. Kvashnin, has been appointed in place of his ex-boss. Alexander Baranov has been transferred to the post of commander of the North-Caucasus military district from the Volga-Urals district. Commander of the North-Caucasus military district Vladimir Boldyrev was sent to the Volga-Urals district.

Georgia

The level of self-control shown by Putin during Abkhazia and South Ossetia crisis should demonstrate Tbilisi, Tskhinvali and Sukhumi that the essence of the problem is in minimization of effects of the active phase of the conflict.

The essence of the problem is that “Russia at large” considers Georgia to be a big southern port, which from Moscow’s point of view should work in full production capacities as soon as possible. Political stability and skilled local manager are worth having for it.

Mikhail Saakashvili does not conceal the fact that first President of independent Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia is his political ideal. It seems natural that intentionally or not he tries to repeat or surpass the object of his imitation. Before the direct threats to sink the boats with Russian tourists we could hope that unlike his idol Mr. Saakashvili is a self-controlled man less extremist in his actions.

After a month from the beginnings of the second phase of Georgia unification it became obvious that the way of direct conversation with people of autonomies together with legitimate pressure upon authorities well worked in Adjaria, but does not do the same in Ossetia. First, because here blood of 1992 and several years of a separate life political consciousness of the uniform nation has been broken off. Secondly, the local elite does not recognize leadership of Tbilisi. Taking into account logic of revolutionary process the decision on equal negotiations is a step for Mikhail Saakashvili on complexity parallel with Vladimir Putin’s bell to George Bush after terrorist attacks on September, 11. New Georgian President not once stated intention to learn political mastership at his Russian counterpart. But he demonstrated his unwillingness to learn something. The beginning of August is known by a number of confrontations with casualties.

The logic of the conflict development pushes Tbilisi to a power variant. Now when depending on him in many respects the peace or military strategy of national construction will take top Mikhail Saakashvili’s ability to guide the situation passes through the checkpoint.

Vladimir Putin has higher freedom of maneuver and his positions are stronger. However it does not mean that Moscow can allow the tactics of pacification. Besides the idea that it’s high time for Russia to lift the glove thrown by Mikhail Saakashvili and to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia expands a circle of the advocates.

Russian medias still do not see an integral strategy in Moscow’s policy on Caucasus. The consensus of media in this issue is that the situation slips to the war. In case of an output on the international level Russia’s position looks very weak. Simultaneously the voices of military lobby appeals to direct a more hard line.

Georgia enlarges the number of players

As compared with a majority of editions describing the situation around South Ossetia in a calming way, “Kommersant” supposes that the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia becomes aggravated. The arguments are the following: in the night from Monday to Tuesday Ossetia territory was subjected to bombardment on the part of Georgia. The meeting of Defense Ministers of Russia and Georgia has not removed intensity between the parties.

Put before the threat of the large-scaled conflict in South Ossetia Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili urgently took off to Ukraine to search for support of the CIS chairman Leonid Kuchma, “Kommersant” announces.

“Novie izvestia” retelling about this visit underlines that Saakashvili supposed to gain understanding with Kuchma who is in close relations with Putin.

“Rossiyskaya gazeta” notes that during yesterday’s negotiations of Defense Ministers of Georgia and Russia Sergey Ivanov denied both the application of Georgian high-ranking politicians for violation of Georgian air space by Russia and information that the representatives of South Ossetian armed forces are trained in the territory of military base “Satellite” near Vladikavkaz.

“Nezavisimaya gazeta” supposes that the most important thing agreed by the parties is the possibility to renew military-technical co-operation of Russia and Georgia, interrupted in 1992. According to Ivanov, the question of renewal of Georgian military men training in high schools of Russian Defense Ministry was also discussed.

Thus George Baramidze noted that Tbilisi is ready to develop relations with Russia in a format of strategic partnership. He named the formation of national system of antiaircraft defense as one of such perspective directions. Besides Tbilisi is going to join the agreement of the CIS states on toughening of the control over moving of portable antiaircraft guided missiles systems, “Nezavisimaya gazeta” notes.

Interviewed by “Nezavisimaya gazeta” George Baramidze designated the position of Georgia across South Ossetia and Abkhazia and gave his understanding of Georgian-Russian relations.

Key theses of interview:

On Saakashvili’s scandalous application for necessity to heat Russian ships with tourists onboard: The only thing is that we demand the implementation of the international norms and agreements.

On South Ossetia issue: If we thought of military settlement in Tshinvali region Georgian army would have made it without ceremony. We do not put such an objective.
On bombardment of Andrey Kokoshin’s column: Ossets started to shoot on a direction of Georgian block-post. Naturally, it began to shoot in response, and there was a firing.

On reasons of military tension: We have blocked oxygen to separatists. What main source of incomes they had? Smuggling. It is 95 % of their incomes at least.

On night firing: if one check up the places of these firing with the ethnic card of South Ossetia he will understand, that these firing constantly occur at approaches to Georgian villages. In fact what policy is pursued? To undo the war and to catch the Georgians on emotions.

Georgian Minister for conflict settlement told “Nezavisimaya gazeta” that yesterday Tskhinvali authorities addressed to the Georgian party with the request to assist in searches of the disappeared Economics Minister. Georgian policemen found out the body of Ruslan Pliev in the river Liahvi near Georgian village Tamarasheni.

The Georgian party considers that Ruslan Pliev died as a result of the accident, “Kommersant” announces.

Sensational, but not officially proved information on a meeting of the leader of the Chechen separatists Aslan Maskhadov’s representative in Georgia with Mikhail Saakashvili is published by “Rossiyskaya gazeta” today.

Chechnya calls to vote

“Novie izvestia” stresses attention to the fact that yesterday the application of Chechen mufti Ahmad-KHadzhi Shamaev calling to use nonviolent political methods for settlement of Chechen conflict was distributed in the republic.

It was supported by Abdul-Kerim Arsanov, the head of regional electoral commission. Making comments on it he offered all political forces, including supporters of separatists, to take part in voting on August 29.

“Kommersant” quotes Interfax saying that Russian special services have the information on foreign sponsors’ grants directed to Chechen insurgents for the failure of presidential elections of the Chechen Republic, which are planned for August 29.

The Federal Assembly is outside the game

The end of spring parliamentary session receives today a number of comments.

Noting the miracles of working capacity shown by deputies at the first session, “Novie izvestia” believes that the part of the work done in haste should be altered. Among the bills, which require work on mistakes are the law on advertising imposing restriction to advertise beer and a package of bills replacing privileges with monetary payments.

“Nezavisimaya gazeta” underlines the way the senators worked at privileges replacement especially pleased Vladimir Putin. It is pleasant that before stamping the governmental offer on deprivation of pensioners and invalids of the state privileges the upper chamber reflected alittle. Though hardly something can change it.

The head of the state assigned the task for autumn calling to approve the Town planning Code, a package of housing laws and the laws related to the public health services and education together with the budget for 2005,

“Kommersant” notes.

“Nezavisimaya gazeta” stresses attention to the fact that the reception at the president took place not in a guest extension where the head of the state communicated with businessmen but in Ekatherininsky hall one of the most magnificent in Kremlin. So authorities try to lift the status of Federation Council, which after governors had left it practically does not render real influence on Russian policy.