16 January 2004 15:17
Russia: Communists not allowed to question premier at first Duma session
In a speech at the first session of the new State Duma, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov spoke about combating
unemployment and reducing government interference in the economy. An account of the speech on Russian television noted
that the Communist deputies were not allowed to put questions to Kasyanov. In separate reports, news agencies had
Kasyanov saying he supported a mortgage system that would allow people on low incomes to live in middle-income areas and
saying that reducing state involvement in commercial activities would reduce corruption. The following is an excerpt
from a report by Russian Channel One TV on 16 January. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
[Newsreader] The first working session of the new Duma today focused on the priority bills that have to be tackled
this year - how the government presents these bills and what the deputies think of them. Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov
spoke at the session. He thinks parliament should focus its activities on resolving social issues. Here is Dmitriy
Kochetkov reporting from the lower chamber of parliament.
Closer cooperation with parliament
[Correspondent] Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov arrived at the State Duma on the instruction of the president.
Cooperation between the government and the parliament is to be even closer. It was decided to resume the practice of
so-called zero readings, that is the preliminary discussion of bills before they are submitted to the chamber. The prime
minister began his speech with congratulations.
[Kasyanov, addressing State Duma] I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and happiness to all of you and your
families. [Applause]
Social legislation the priority
[Correspondent] Kasyanov outlined the legislative priorities, the main ones being reform of the social sphere, the
campaign against unemployment, ensuring citizens' safety and development of the mortgage system for the
construction industry.
[Kasyanov, speaking in Duma] We would like to improve work on bills in government. Yesterday I had a thorough
discussion with ministers on this subject. By increasing the efficiency of legislative and government activity, we will
aim to get the proportion of presidential and government bills to at least 60 per cent [as a proportion of the total
number of bills submitted].
[Correspondent] The government promises to submit 12 urgent laws to the Duma by March. When replying to
deputies' questions, Kasyanov spoke about reducing administrative regulation of the economy. Business people should
earn more, while the government should not interfere.
Communist questions blocked
Not all the deputies had the opportunity to express themselves. The Communist Party faction expressed a protest,
because its representatives were not able to put questions to Kasyanov. Outside the session hall, the prime minister was
asked about the law on compulsory car insurance. It will not be possible to alter the law before the summer.
[passage omitted]
To date, the Duma has had 28 committees. Today, it was decided to set up another one - for veterans'
affairs.
Corruption and housing
[ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0904 gmt 16 Jan 04 quoted Kasyanov as telling the Duma that reducing state
participation in commercial activities was "the main element in removing corruption", and that procedures
should be set out clearly in order to reduce the possibility for corruption.
RIA-Novosti news agency, Moscow in Russian 0939 gmt 16 Jan 04 reported Kasyanov also telling the Duma, in answer to a
question about housing for people on low incomes, that the construction of housing should be carefully thought out so
that mini-suburbs are not created for people on low incomes, and so that these citizens can, with help from the state,
live among citizens on middle incomes.]
[Channel One TV] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
