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The article presents reports published in Russian newspapers about the plans of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his economic minister Elvira Nabiullina related to the country's newly-built international innovation center in the city of Skolkovo. These reports include "Zone Without Strict Rules," by Irina Granik published in the April 30, 2010 issue of "Kommersant," "Special-Regime Innovation," by Elina Bilevskaya in the April 27, 2010 issue of "Nezavisimaya Gazeta," and a related article in the April 30, 2010 issue of "Nezavisimaya Gazeta."

The article reports on the execution of the Russian embassy employees who had been taken hostage in Baghdad, Iraq, by the Mujahedeen Shura Council. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed the identification of the executed individuals. A footage of the murder was shown on the Internet video including the killings of several people.

The article reports on the reshuffling of cabinet member made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chief of Staff Dmitry Medvedev was appointed to serve as first deputy prime minister of Russia. Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, on the other hand, was appointed deputy prime minister in charge of defense and the defense industry. While Tyumen Province Governor Sergei Sobyanin will take over the position left vacated by Medvedev.

Reports on the statements from several leaders and heads of state as expression of support to the Russians after the hostage crisis in Beslan, Russia. Views from German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder on the decision made by Beslan's special forces and security agencies during the incident; Sympathy posed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the victims of terrorism; Comments from Chief of Staff Yury Baluyevsky on the possibility of Moscow to carry out preemptive strikes against terrorist camps outside the country.

Reports on the appointment of Mikhail Zurabov, former head of the Pension Fund as the new post of minister of public health and social development in Russia. Reform of the mandatory medical insurance system as signaled by the president; Suitability of Zurabov as the new in charge of reforming mandatory insurance system; Aim of the reform; Implication of the appointment of Vladimir Starodubov as deputy minister on the implementation of the reform.

Comments on the government reorganization in Russia. Functions of different three executive levels; Suitability of the newly appointed cabinet members to their position; Expected outcome of the administrataive reform.

Reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree appointing deputy prime minister for social issues Galina Karelova and deputy minister for industrial policy Boris Alyoshin. Reason for the appointment of Karelova; Responsibilities of Karelova and Alyoshin in their assumed posts; Brief biographical profile of Alyoshin and Karelova.

Reports the surprise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the statements of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. Possible support of Russia to counterterrorist military efforts; Probable reduction of strategic offensive arms with the US; Differences between statements and the strategy line of the Kremlin.

Reports on mass media developments in Russia as of March 15, 2000. Russian senators' concern over the All-Russia State Television and Radio Co. or Channel 2 and Channel 5; Interview of Press Minster Mikhail Lesin concerning smear campaigns.

Reports on Russian President Boris Yeltsin's appointment of Aleksandr Lebed as Secretary of the Security Council Commission. Dismissal of Pavel Grachev from the post of Minister of Defense; Reason for the appointment of Lebed; Lebed's vision for the post.

The article focuses on the announcement of Russian State of Duma Internal Affairs Minister Rashid Nugaliyev about the framework for a new police legislation by April 1, 2010. Comments on the reforms of the ministry include doubts that the move is a sham due to the lack of transparency in the ministry expenditures, the systemic error in the approach of the ministry to solve police problems and the protection given by Russian police to authorities and not to the people. Other comments include the convenience of using precedents than passing laws.

The article highlights the efforts U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to avoid any conflict with anyone during her trip to Moscow, Russia. She clarified the impression left by her statements in the U.S. Senate about U.S.-Russia relationship. She was in Moscow to reach agreement on several important issues including a United Nations Security Council resolution proclaiming Kosovo an independent state and the deployment of the missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

The article reports economic developments in Russia. The currency regulations in the country are now similar to the Group of Eight countries with Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin announcing the relaxation of cap in foreign investments. On the other hand, the Law on the Export of Natural Gas is closed to derailment at the lower house of parliament.

Reports on the Ukrainian Supreme Council's election of Yulia Timoshenko as Prime Minister in February 2005. Profile on Timoshenko; Career highlights; Qualifications.

Presents the transcript of the December 30, 2004 radio interview with Andrei Illarionov, the Russian economic adviser to President Vladimir Putin. His lament on the curtailment of diversity in the media, the Duma and politics in general; His reading of the Ukrainian revolution as a warning to Russia; His labeling of the Yukos asset sale as a scam; Reference to some public officials as incompetent.

Focuses on the background of the career and life of new Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Replacement of Igor Ivanov by Lavrov. Performance of Lavrov as head of the foreign ministry; Reputation of Lavrov in Russian media.

Focuses on the biography of the new elected cabinet members in Russia. Educational attainment of Mikhail Zurabov, minister of public health and social development; Political career of Dmitry Kozak, minister and chief of the government staff; Career history of Rashid Nurgaliyev, minister of internal affairs.

Reports on developments related to politics and government in Ukraine, as of June 27, 2001. Supreme Council's approval of Anatoly Kinakh's appointment as prime minister; President Leonid Kuchma's issuance of a decree on administrative reforms; Appointments to the posts of cabinet secretaries.

Reports on Maritime Territory Governor Yevgeny Nazdratenko's resignation and Russian Minister of Energy Aleksandr Gavrin's dismissal following the energy crisis in the region. Pressure from President Vladimir Putin for Gavrin to resign; Political relevance of Nazdratenko's resignation; Nazdratenko's future in politics after his resignation.

Reports political developments in the Russia Federation as of July 2000. Distribution of duties among the members of the cabinet by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov; Discussion in acquiring a second prime minister; Tension between the president and the prime minister.

Reports developments in the Russian Federation Congress. Distribution of duties among the members of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov; Role of Kasyanov in the federal government; Areas of responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Aleksei Kudrin; Arguments among cabinet members over social welfare tax.

Reports on various issues concerning the Russian government and its key officials. Russian President Boris Yeltsin's advice to First Deputy Prime Ministers Nikolai Aksyonenko and Victor Khristenko to get along with each other; List of cabinet members; Members of the presidium of the Cabinet Ministers.

Details the appointment made by the Russian government on its Cabinet of Ministers in October 1998. Position appointed for Vladimir Filippov; Distinctive features of the cabinet of Russia; Suggestion of the appointment.

Reports on the decision of Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, that in the future, Deputy Prime Ministers will not combine their posts with positions in specific ministries, as stated by Presidential Press Secretary Sergei Yastrzhembsky. Intentions to take the post of Minister of Finance away from Anatoly Chubais.

Reports on changes on the Russian Federation's Cabinet of Ministers. Resignation of Labor Minister Gennady Melikyan; Appointment of former Economics Minister Sergei Vasilyev as first deputy to government Chief of Staff Vladimir Babichev; Resignation of Fuel and Power Minister Pyotr Rodionov.

Discusses the Russian government's reshuffling of its cabinet officials. Replacement of the heads of departments; Proposal for Aleksei Kudrin as head of the State Tax Service; Interruption in the work of any bureaucratic structure; Combination of the functions of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Influence of Viktor Chernomyrdin on the reshuffling period.

The article deals with the dismissal and reappointment of Ukraine Internal Affairs Minister Yury Lutsenko in January 2010. Lutsenko was accused of interfering in the 2010 Ukrainian presidential election by the Party of Regions which initiated the move. Immediately thereafter, Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko convened a government emergency meeting and issued a direct order appointing Lutsenko as acting internal affairs minister. The Party of Regions reportedly initiated a special session of the Supreme Rada to consider the minister's removal.

The article announces that Valerie Okulov was appointed as Deputy Minister of Transportation in Russia.

The article announces that Yelena Skrynnik was appointed Minister of Agriculture in Russia.

The article reports that U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns visited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in show of warming relations. But the Russian government has rejected the U.S. proposal on missile site monitoring. Some Russian officials think that the Bush administration is trying tie President Barack Obama's hands on missile defense plans.

The article reports on discussions at the lower house of the Czech Parliament regarding the agreement for the deployment of a U.S. radar installation in the Czech Republic in 2008. The agreement, which was signed by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, will require the ratification by the Czech Parliament.

The article discusses the cease-fire agreement between Georgia and South Ossetia. Media outlets, after citing Russian ambassador-at-large Yury Popov, reported a cease-fire in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. An agreement has also been reached on a meeting between Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili and deputy prime minister of the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia, Boris Chochiyev. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity was making a gesture of goodwill.

The article reports on Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's proposal to form government presidium to be made up of the deputy premiers and a number of ministers to improve the efficiency of government's work. According to experts, Putin's aim in reestablishing a presidium within a government structure is to gradually transform the premiership from a technical institution to a policy-making one.

The article reports that Ingushetia President Murat Zyazikov has issued a decree dismissing all members of the government, including all heads of city and district administrations. Zyazikov's opponents believe that the shake-up was carried out to preempt action by the opposition. All the ministers dismissed will continue to perform their duties until a new government is formed.

The article reports on the resignation of Nicholas Burns from his position as the U.S. Secretary of State for political affairs effective in March 2008. Burns will be replaced by William Burns, the ambassador of the U.S. to Russia. Also cited are background information on the two Burns and the issues' implications for American politics and government.

The article reports on reactions to the appointment of Raisa Bogatyryova as head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) by Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko in December 2007. Analysts see Bogatyryova's appointment as an effort by Yushchenko to balance Yulia Timoshenko's power and to strengthen an alliance with the Donetsk financial group.

The article reports on Yulia Timoshenko's first activities as prime minister of Ukraine in December 2007. Timoshenko introduced to parliament her cabinet that includes Aleksandr Turchinov, Yury Lutsenko, Yury Yekhanurov, Ivan Vasyunik, Iosif Vinsky and Vladimir Ogryzko. Turchinov stated that Timoshenko's administration will resell certain government properties that were privatized illegally.

The article focuses on the rally of the opposition activists headed by Georgian defense minister Irakly Okruashvili. The protest surges anew after Okruashvili delivered a speech in which he repeated all his charges against President Mikhail Saakashvili. He denied rumors that he has ties to oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili. He explained the reason in retracting his allegations against the president while in jail.

The article reports on the appointment of Viktor Zubkov as the prime minister of Russia. The author narrated that the president signed a decree appointing Zubkov as the head of the cabinet of ministers after an hour of the endorsement of the state Duma of his candidacy. Zubkov's policy speech was also mentioned.

The article reports on the resignation of Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov after the appointment of his father-in-law Viktor Zubkov as the new prime minister. The author said that Serdyukov's reason for resignation was due to his close family relationship with the prime minister. Several speculations about the resignation of Serdyukov such as his disagreement with First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov is also reported.

The article comments on the speech delivered Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September 2007 before students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Russia regarding Russia's relations with the U.S. and Great Britain. He stressed that Russia and the U.S. are not adversaries and cited the possibilities for returning normal relations between the two countries on the basis of equal rights, due regard for each other's interests, mutual benefits and foreign policy.

Information about the topics discussed during the meeting of the state commission of South Ossetia, Georgia that was held on July 24, 2007 is presented. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet members, lawmakers and representatives of the pro-Georgian provisional administration. In addition, Zurab Nogaideli, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of the commission's work.

The article reports on the dismissal of presidential security chief Akmurad Redzhepov by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. Redzhepov's departure effectively marks the real end to the legacy of Turkmenbashi Saparmurad Niyazov. He held the post for 12 years and implemented all the Turkmenbashi's repressive measures. The reactions of experts and exiled Turkmen opposition leaders to the Redzhepov's dismissal are highlighted.

The article reports on the decision of Chechnya President Ramzan Kadyrov to reduce the number of deputy prime ministers. His decision came as a surprise to many people. He even eliminated the post of deputy prime minister for security, held by one of his closest associates, Adam Delimkhanov. Kadyrov's deputies has been reduced from eight to three.

The article reports on the creation of the Coalition of National Unity, a new parliamentary coalition, that was announced by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich in Ukraine in March 2007. The establishment of the coalition is also marked by the defection of Anatoly Kinakh, a leader of the Our Ukraine bloc who was offered the position of Economics Minister by Yanukovich.

This article presents an interview with Russian deputy Prime Minister Boris Gryzlov concerning the elections and the aims of Russia. Boris is the chairman of the State Duma and leader of the United Russia party. The executive body of the party will assume the functions of the campaign staff. The Supreme Council of the party reviews all presidential nominations.

The article reports on Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov's distribution of responsibilities between his first deputies. Sergei Imanov was appointed to oversee the real economy while Dmitry Medvedev will manage national projects and the use of natural resources. The diversification of the economy will be accelerated because of the competition between the successors.

A reprint of the article "`Let's Consult With Our Colleagues.' President Doesn't Let Prime Minister Change the Structure of the Government" published in the "Vremya Novostei" periodical's February 6, 2007 issue is presented. Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov for a postponement of a proposal to reorganize the cabinet of ministers.

The article reports on the creation by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of a new government in Kazakhstan in January 2007. The new government, which will replace the cabinet of the dismissed Danial Akhmetov, will enable Nazarbayev to make personnel moves that will pave the way for major domestic and political policy changes.

The article reports that Yury Baluyevsky, the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff and the first deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation, had his term extended by President Vladimir Putin until 2010. Baluyevsky's term extension is a first and has become an unprecedented political phenomenon in Russia.