KIRIENKO PROMISES TO PRIORITIZE THE PROBLEMS OF RUSSIA’S COAL MINERS.

Addressing parliament this morning, Kirienko pitched his appeal to the opposition by detailing the steps he has taken to improve the lot of the beleaguered coal mining industry. (BBC, April 24) Russia is negotiating a $600 million loan from the World Bank to finance the closure of loss-making mines in Russia’s inhospitable northern regions and the resettlement of miners and their families in the center of the country. Russia hopes in November to receive a second, $200 million tranche of a World Bank loan that will be spend on alleviating social problems among mine workers, while a third $200 million tranche at the end of the year will be used to privatize the industry. (Russian agencies, April 21) Kirienko told Moskovsky komsomolets in an interview published on April 23 that his government has not resolved the problems of the coal industry but is working hard on the problem.

ITALY, RUSSIA SIGN DEFENSE COOPERATION PLAN.