Compilation by Louis Laverone, MEMG Vice President
KOMMERSANT: Russia Convinced Iran Threat Implausible
...In spite of the Iranian missile tests in the Persian Gulf, Russia maintains the threat posed by Iran is implausible, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists. “The tests that took place in Iran only confirm that Iran now has missiles with a range of 2000 km.,” he explained. That, Lavrov continued, confirms Russia’s conviction that the third site of U.S. antimissile defense, now being set up in Eastern Europe is not necessary for monitoring or reacting to “those specific missiles of that range.”
Full Article: http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=-12814
MEMG TRANSLATION: RIA Novosti reports Iran will begin direct talks with U.S. when it is necessary
...Iran is prepared to begin discussions with the United States “when it will be necessary,” declared Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday. “We don't need an intermediary to lead talks with the U.S., and at that time when it is necessary, we will begin direct talks with them,” announced Ahmadinejad to reporters, commenting on reports in the international media on the scope of these negotiations... (RIA Novosti).
Full Article in Russian: http://www.rian.ru/world/20080713/113858448.html
MEMG TRANSLATION: RIA Novosti reports Gazprom and Iran sign memorandum of understanding
...Gazprom JSC signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran's national oil firm in preparation for a summit between Gazprom Board Chairman, Aleksi Miller, and the Iranian oil minister and managing director in the Islamic Republic of Iran...The upcoming summit will discuss joint exploration and transport projects in Iran... (RIA Novosti)
Full Article in Russian: http://www.rian.ru/economy/20080713/113868479.html
RIA NOVOSTI: Iran discovers new oil field to hold 1 billion barrels of crude
...A new large oil deposit with estimated reserves of more than 1 billion barrels of crude has been discovered in Iran, the Iranian oil minister said on Sunday. Gholamhossein Nozari said the oil field, located in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, is believed to contain 1.1 billion barrels of crude, with recoverable reserves of about 220 million barrels... (RIA Novosti).
Full Article: http://en.rian.ru/world/20080713/113861848.html
RUSSIA: Russia’s SU-35: Mystery Fighter No More
...This article explains the source of the widespread confusion regarding the SU-35’s layout and key characteristics, reviews what is now known about the platform, and tracks its development. The aircraft has a nominal customer in the Russian Air Force, but no large-scale orders as of yet. Nevertheless, the SU-30 family remains a strong export success for Russia, and the SU-35 is being positioned to succeed most SU-30MK variants as Russia’s fighter export of choice within the coming decade... (Defense Industry Daily)
Full Article: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Russias-SU-35-Mystery-Fighter-No-More-04969/
THE NATIONAL: GCC cruises into new naval age
...US military commanders in the Gulf say they are hopeful that GCC countries will accept assistance in the event of a major disaster and stress that any humanitarian assistance in the region will be delivered with no strings attached...Last week, at a meeting attended by senior US Navy officers, regional naval commanders discussed the possibility of forming a single navy to improve security in the Gulf... (The National).
Full Article: http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080712/NATIONAL/405117376/1018/NEWS
ARMENIA: Getting Serious About Corruption?
Armenian leaders have pledged that they will wage an all-out fight against corruption, but some observers doubt how far that fight can actually go, and to what extent politics drives the campaign. ...Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has declared that corruption is Armenia’s "number one problem that obstructs all our reforms." Meanwhile, President Serzh Sargysan has assured the public that his administration will wage a "transparent" and continuous fight against graft. ...in recent months a string of firings has targeted the tax department, customs service and police. (EURASIANET.ORG)
Full Article: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav071108.shtml
RUSSIA TODAY: Georgia turns to UN as ambassador quits Moscow
...Georgia has asked for an extraordinary session of the UN Security Council to discuss Russia's violation of its air space. Tbilisi withdrew its ambassador from Moscow after Russian fighter jets circled over Georgia's breakaway republic of South Ossetia on Wednesday...Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin says Russia backs the Georgian request... (Russia Today).
Full Article: http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/27385
