Notebook

Briefs

Less-Than-Permafrost

NOVOSIBIRSK Ñ Siberian scientists have noted an alarming trend brought about by global warming Ñ the retreat of the regionÕs permafrost. By the middle of the 21st century, the band of western Siberia with permanently frozen soil is expected to shrink by 200km. This could affect many man-made structures in the area built specially for permanent frost conditions. However, it will also make more land available for farming, particularly for the cultivation of vegetables.

New $100 bills

America’s new $100 bills arrived in Russia under close guard, on the same day as they went into circulation in the US. Russia is believed to be the largest foreign holder of US dollars, with approximately $20 bn circulating in the country. While US officials have been at pains to explain that old bills are still valid, Russians are expected to change their cash supplies to the new bills. However, they will face a handling charge of up to 2% from Russian banks. Further information about the new bills is available from US Treasury hotlines in Moscow and several regional centers.

In vino veritas

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY Ñ Workers at a heating firm on the far eastern peninsula of Kamchatka have finally received their wages after several months of payment delays. However, because of a continuing cash crisis in the company, part of the sum was paid in wine.

Foreign Investment up

According to Economics Ministry figures, foreign investment in Russia increased almost threefold from 1994-5. The total sum of $2.8 bn included $1.88 bn of direct investment and $890 mn in trade credits and credits from international lenders. However, these figures still far short of those of RussiaÕs former Eastern European allies Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, indicating that investors are still wary of Russia’s political uncertainty and punishing tax burden.

Talmud volume published

The central work of Jewish literature and civilization, the Talmud, is being published in Russia for the first time since 1917. The first volume to be printed (with a print run of 5,000 copies) is the Bava Metzia, dealing with commercial law and settling disputes in daily life. It was presented at a ceremony in Moscow City Hall by the scholar and translator Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. The text is bilingual, in Hebrew and Russian. Under communism, the Talmud was officially non-existent, and the import of copies was banned until 1987.

Elysian grandeur

MoscowÕs most elegant and prestigious food store, the Yeliseyevsky (Elysian), is to be converted into a modern shopping complex by a foreign development company . Built at the turn of the century by a St. Petersburg merchant, it became famous as the first store in the city to sell exotic fruits like bananas and pineapples. The new Yeliseyevsky Shopping Center, however, will include much more than just a store Ñ nine stories of offices and retail space, plus a rooftop restaurant and underground parking.

East-West link-up

President Boris Yeltsin has opened a trans-Eurasian communications link, providing a digital phone service between Europe and the Pacific. The opening ceremony included a live demonstration link-up with the heads of state of Italy, Ukraine and South Korea. Yeltsin also promised to use the link regularly to call regional bosses to account. The project, which took two-and-a-half years to complete, has given Russia fiber-optics cable links to Denmark, Turkey, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Which should ease somewhat the overloaded international phone lines serving the former Soviet Union.

Luzhkov to run

Popular Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has announced his intention to run on June 16 (the same day as presidential elections) for a second term. Under LuzhkovÕs direction, the city has obtained a sizeable stake in a number of valuable properties, such as the National Hotel and Mosenka construction company, and undertaken a score of high-profile public works projects. Luzhkov was elected deputy mayor in 1991, and acceded to the top spot in 1992 with the resignation of Gavriil Popov.

Cine-nationalism

In a move to combat the ongoing Americanization of Russian cinema, RussiaÕs Committee for Cinematography (Roskino) has announced plans for a network of cinema halls designated solely for domestic films. Roskino experts have drafted a presidential decree which would create a joint stock company, Russian kinopokaz (Russian Movie Projection), to open a chain of theaters for Soviet and contemporary Russian films. The theaters would also host gatherings of cinema lovers, actors, and scriptwriters.

Travel Briefs

Sheremetevo shapes up

After years of problems getting into Moscow from the cityÕs Sheremetyevo-2 international airport, passengers finally have a reasonable alternative to overcharging taxi-drivers and slow, overcrowded buses. Two companies, the Dutch Moscow Shuttle Bus company and Budget Car Rental, have started running bus services into the city. At $30 a head for a journey, the new buses are hardly cheap, and best for single passengers (even the most extortionate taxi drivers charge no more than $60). Meanwhile, things are also changing for the better in the airport itself Ñ the escalators between the arrival and departure lounges are working again after five years of disrepair, and a new computerized passport system should reduce time spent at passport control.

Spanish eyes on Berlin

ST. PETERSBURG Ñ A high speed train built by the Spanish company Talgo has begun tests outside the city. Reaching maximum speeds of 360 km/hr, the new train is capable of taking bends without substantial reductions of speed. The Talgo is expected to go into service next year on the Moscow-Berlin railroad. At the same time, the Finnish Pendolino train is undergoing trial runs for the projected high speed Moscow-St. Petersburg line.

Pay now, fly later

The upstart Russian airline Transaero plans to launch a new discount card starting next month, announced Marketing Director Sergei Grachev. The Transaero Club card , which will cost between $8,000 and $40,000 depending on length of validity, will allow holders, among other benefits, an unlimited number of flights on any of the companyÕs routes worldwide. Transaero currently services most major cities of the former Soviet Union and the most popular foreign destinations for Russian travelers.

Boeing-Ilyushin alliance

Officials from Boeing and the Russian aircraft-maker Ilyushin have signed an agreement that paves tha way for US-Russian cooperation in the sphere of air safety. The document envisages the exchange of safety information. Robert Spitzer, Boeing vice-president for engineering, admitted that RussiaÕs aviation industry has been criticized in recent years for poor safety standards, but voiced confidence in Russian aviationÕs quality. Boeing also signed cooperation agreements with RussiaÕs National Institute of Aviation Technologies and Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.