On the Situation with the TV6 television channel
Press release, January 24, 2002
The Political Council of the Russian Party of the Centre - Yabloko, St. Petersburg, expresses its protest at the liquidation of the TV-6 television channel and considers that this represents a logical continuation of the policies aimed at eliminating all mass media independent of the authorities.

Alexei Arbatov on the proposal to punish the relatives of terrorists
Ekho Moskvi radio station, January 23, 2002
'Anchor: News from the Duma: the Duma has drafted a law that has engendered many disputes...'

The leadership of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO considers the initiative of the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) regarding transition to a six-month term of military service as "counterproductive politically" and unsound generally.
Press release, January 23, 2002
"We consider the initiative of the SPS regarding transition to a six-month term of military service (as a means of maintaining the military reserve) counterproductive politically. Additional studies that we have conducted confirmed that this concept is also unsound generally," Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee of the State Duma Alexei Arbatov told journalists.

Vladimir Lukin, member of the Yabloko faction, on halting the broadcasting of TV-6
NTV.RU, January 23, 2002
"For the first time since Brezhnev's period I have a feeling of constant and lasting shame for my country." This was the reaction of the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and member of the Yabloko faction Vladimir Lukin to the closure of the TV-6 television channel. Lukin expressed his opinion on the Ekho Moskvi radio station.

Sergei Mitrokhin, Deputy Chairman of the YABLOKO party: Liquidation of TV-6 will lead to the ultimate monopoly of the state on the electronic mass media
Press release, January 11, 2002
Deputy chairman of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO and deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin sharply criticised the decision of the Praesidium of the RF Supreme Arbitration Court to liquidate the TV-6 television company.

Yabloko has not conducted and is not holding any talks with Boris Berezovsky.
Press release, January 24, 2002
Today's decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the RF to liquidate the TV6 television company confirms the worst apprehensions on the prospects of independent media in Russia. This decision can be put at the same level as last year's destruction of NTV and the recent verdict on Grigory Pasko.

Deputy of the State Duma Valery Ostanin: Liquidation of TV-6 is not a dispute between economic subjects, it is the manifestation of political will at the top
RosBusinessConsulting, January 23, 2002
Liquidation of TV-6 is not a dispute between economic subjects, this is manifestation of thepolitical will at the top. 

THE DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO
Moscow, December 22, 2001
We, the citizens of Russia, have joined the Russian Democratic Party Yabloko (RDP Yabloko) to work by legal means to establish in Russia a contemporary law-based social state, form an effective market economy and emerge a civil society.

print version (.rtf)

Yavlinsky Speech at Carnegie Available on Web
January 30, 2002
Tune in to www.ceip.org/live on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 from approximately 8:40 to 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time and listen LIVE to a Carnegie briefing featuring Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of Russia's Yabloko Party and a leading liberal voice in Russian politics for ten years. His broad-ranging talk will address domestic and foreign policy challenges in Russia, from President Putin's position post-September 11 to missile defense to the importance of free media in Russia.

Everyone Has the Right
Vremya Novostei, January 24, 2002
No one should have a monopoly over the airwaves; and even ownership rights may be restricted to ensure that this is the case. This was the considered conclusion of the Union of Right-WIng Forces (SPS) faction of the Duma, which has discussed the conflict over TV-6. The SPS leader Boris Nemtsov even has a formula for demonopolizing the media industry - which he has already shared with President Vladimir Putin.

Seeking Employment: Submit Proposals to the Party by Alexandra Novikova
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, January 23, 2002
Yesterday, on the Remembrance Day of the Victims of Political Repressions, a large number of people gathered by Solovetsky Stone in Moscow (Ed. Solovki was one of Following a succession of party congresses, most of them in December 2001 and January 2002 and concerned with compliance of documentation with the law "On the Parties", in general the political structures of Russia took some time to emerge. (... ) Only now Russia's political structures have begun resuming their activities after the New Year's holidays; so the party life promises to become more diverse soon. What are the parties planning to do in the near future? We asked the leading political parties this question.

The State Duma refused to investigate the deal on imports of spent nuclear fuel from Bulgaria
Press release, January 16, 2002
On January 16, 2002, the State Duma refused to forward a parliamentary inquiry to Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on observation of the law to import 71 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel from Bulgaria to the processing plant in Zheleznogorsk, Russia.

Bush concerned about shutdown of TV6
Associated Press, January 25, 2002
WASHINGTON - The shutdown of independent Moscow station TV6 is a continuing concern for President George W. Bush, the White House said Thursday.

TV6 mulls closure, prepares appeal
The Russia Journal, January 25, 2002
MOSCOW - Directors of the largest Russian television station outside Kremlin control said Monday they could start winding up the company next month, if a last-ditch legal appeal of a court closure order failed.

TV-6 team founds new legal entity
RosBusinessConsulting, January 24, 2002
MOSCOW - OOO TV-6 has been registered in the Moscow Registration Chamber, reported TV-6 spokeswoman Tatyana Blinova.

Putin snipes at Berezovsky in media row
Reuters , January 23, 2002
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin appears determined to rid Russian television of the influence of powerful exiled tycoons - even at the risk of damaging his diplomatic credentials with the West.

Closure of TV6 sparks wide concern
Reuters , January 23, 2002
MOSCOW - Russia abruptly pulled the plug on its only nationwide independent television station on Tuesday, giving the Kremlin a monopoly of the airwaves for the first time since the Soviet era and sparking international concern.

Sergei Ivanenko: termination of the TV6 broadcasting channel is part of the construction of a manageable democracy in Russia
Press Release January 22, 2002
Termination of the TV6 broadcasting channel “dotted the “i”s and crossed the “t”s and represents a bright example of the construction of a manageable democracy in our country,” said Deputy Head of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma Sergei Ivanenko in an interview with journalists on January 22, 2002. This decision “demonstrates to all the citizens of Russia that the numerous talks on the so-called dispute of economic entities, temporary license and protection of rights of the work collective, that have developed for about a year already, that all these talks were a mere screen,” said Ivanenko.

All-sports replaces TV6 broadcasting
Associated Press, January 22, 2002
MOSCOW - Russia's TV6 broadcasting was replaced by all-sports news programming Tuesday, hours after authorities took TV6, the last independent, national station, off the air.

Deputy of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma Alexander Shishlov asks to change the restraining order for Grigory Pasko and provides a personal guarantee for Pasko's attendance in the event of court summons
Press Release January 12, 2002
On January 11, 2002, Deputy of the State Duma of the RF, Member of the Committee on Legal Issues and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Alexander Shishlov forwarded a formal request to the Chairman of the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Nikolai Petukhov to change the restraining order for Grigory Pasko freeing the journalist for the period of investigation of the appeal with the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

To the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation
The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Deputy of the State Duma Alexander Shishlov, January 11, 2002
"I, Alexander Vladimirovich Shishlov, Deputy of the State Duma, in accordance with Article 94 of the Criminal Procedural Code of the RSFSR undertake to act as guarantor for the appropriate behaviour and attendance of Grigory Mikhailovich Pasko in the event of a court summons."

Statement of Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party "YABLOKO" Grigory Yavlinsky on the situation around TV6
January 11, 2002
Today's decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the RF to liquidate the TV6 television company confirms the worst apprehensions on the prospects of independent media in Russia. This decision can be put at the same level as last year's destruction of NTV and the recent verdict on Grigory Pasko.

Grigory Yavlinsky elected Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party Yabloko for a three-year term
Press release, December 23, 2001
Grigory Yavlinsky elected Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party Yabloko for a three-year term until December 31, 2004.

Heads of the Council of Europe, the Liberal International and political parties send welcoming addresses to Yabloko's congress
Press release, December 22, 2001
Welcoming addresses from renown European politicians and a range of foreign political parties were received by the 10th congress of Yabloko.

Russian Authorities Mull TV6 License
Associated Press, January 14, 2002
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's top broadcasting official said Monday that his office is working on bidding procedures for the broadcast license held by TV6, the independent TV station that lost a legal battle to prevent its closure.

Media Freedom Discussed in Russia
Associated Press, January 14, 2002

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's top broadcasting official said Monday that his office is working on bidding procedures for the broadcast license held by TV6, the independent TV station that lost a legal battle to prevent its closure.

Lukoil Co. Wants to Buy TV Rights
Associated Press Writer, by ANGELA CHARLTON, January 12, 2002
MOSCOW (AP) - After persuading a court to shut down Russia's largest independent television network, a subsidiary of the country's biggest oil company said Saturday it wants to buy the channel's broadcasting rights.

Russian TV Station Ordered to Close
Associated Press, January 11, 2002
MOSCOW (AP) - A court ordered the closure of the last national television network outside the government's control Friday - a decision prompting concern about media freedom in Russia.

Photo Gallery. The 10th congress of Yabloko
Moscow, December 22-23, 2001

Members of the YABLOKO party participated in the action in support of journalist Grigory Pasko which took place on January 7 at Lubyanskaya square in Moscow

Moscow, Lubyanskaya square, January 9, 2001

About 40,000 people participated in a civil action in support of the military journalist Grigory Pasko which took place on January 7, 2002, at Lyubyanskaya Square in Moscow opposite the Federal Security Service building.

Mr. Putin's Latest 'Spy'
The Washington Post, December 27, 2001
THE EVIDENCE is growing that Vladimir Putin sees no connection between the new partnership he says he is seeking between Russia and the West and his own domestic policies, which frequently violate Western norms of democracy and human rights. Mr. Putin continues to repress independent media that report critically on his government, and he appears determined to continue his military's brutal campaign against rebels in Chechnya, following a feint at negotiations.

TV6 Case Sets a Bad Example
The Moscow Times, January 15, 2002
The liquidation of TV6 is not, as much of the Western media insists on describing it, the end of independent national television in Russia. TV6 is independent of the government, but it is controlled by Boris Berezovsky, who openly acknowledges that it is politics, not business, that drives his interest in the television station.

TV6 Team Asks to Stay on the Air By Robin Munro Staff Writer
The Moscow Times, January 15, 2002
The management of TV6 made a proposal Monday that it hopes will allow it to preserve its journalistic team and continue running the television station, which a court last week ordered closed. TV6 management wrote a letter to Press Minister Mikhail Lesin giving up the station's broadcasting licence so it could form a new company in time to bid for the license when a tender is held in April. In the meantime, it asked to be allowed to continue broadcasting.

TV6 Ruling Angers Liberal Politicians
The Moscow Times, January 14, 2002
A number of prominent politicians lashed out at the Higher Arbitration Court's decision Friday to liquidate TV6, calling it a political move that spelled trouble for other independent media.

4 Held in Pasko Demonstration
The Moscow Times, January 9, 2002
Combined Reports Police briefly detained four people Monday after they took part in a demonstration against the conviction for treason of journalist and former navy captain Grigory Pasko, NTV television reported.

AUTUMN OF THE DUMA CENTRISTS
Nezavisymaya Gazeta, December 29, 2001
The autumn session of the third Duma ended on December 27. It became the place where the president and the Cabinet exploited the capacities of a parliamentary majority to the utmost. This became particularly clear over the last three months, when the Kremlin administration virtually stopped relying mostly on Unity and balanced at the same time between the left and right in the Duma. When this method of controlling the Duma was abandoned, the communists and agrarians found themselves outside virtually all vital parliamentary functions.

Declaration on the Verdict to Grigory Pasko
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO
December 25, 2001
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO thinks that the verdict of the Pacific Fleet Court on Grigory Pasko reflects the imperfections in the whole of the law-enforcement system of the Russian Federation and is at variance with the spirit of the Constitution. Owing to an unreasonable system of imposing top secret libel on virtually everything, anyone who attempts to inform the public of environmental dangers caused by the poor economic performance of state structures may end up in prison.

Welcoming address of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the delegates of the 10th Congress of the Yabloko Association
December 22, 2001
I welcome congress delegates.

Four Detained During Moscow Rally
Associated Press, January 8, 2002
PMOSCOW (AP) - Four organizers of a demonstration against a journalist's conviction for treason were detained and are due in court Wednesday, Russian media reported.

Yabloko's banners in English placed on our web-site

Grigory Yavlinsky comments on the situation in Chechnya
Radio Liberty Programme by Andrei Shariy, December 27, 2001
Andrei Shariy: Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of the Yabloko party is participating in our "Topics of the Day" programme. Grigory Alexeevich, I would like to discuss with you today the results of the year of the developments in Chechnya. Let us listen to the commentary prepared by Oleg Kusov, anchor-man of the Radio Liberty programme "The Chronicles of the Caucasus"

Grigory Yavlinsky comments on the main alternative for Russia in 2001
Radio Liberty Programme by Andrei ShariyDecember 27, 2001
The Anchor-man of the "Topic of the Day" programme Andrei Shariy interviews the leader of Yabloko Grigory Yavlinsky.

Action in Support of Military Journalist Grigory Pasko
Moscow, Lubyanskaya square, January 7, 2002
Photo Gallery

The School of Political Survival
By Viktor Khamrayev and Gleb Cherkasov, December 28, 2001
2001 was a year of consolidation. Having split into all sorts of parties and movements in 1999, this year federal and regional elites formed the United Fatherland - with the motto of unquestioned support for President Putin. The president's unprecedented approval rating made it "improper" to be in opposition in 2001.