Sergei Ivanov - Articles - Zimbio

New Russian space base to send manned flights by 2018

Tue, 23 Jan 2008 16:22:00 GMT

posted by sarfun
New Russian space base to send manned flights by 2018

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia, whose space programme relies heavily on a base in neighbouring Kazakhstan, is to build its own launch site for manned flights by 2018, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov was quoted as saying Wednesday.The new Vostochny base in the Amur region of southeast Russia, bordering China, will be an alternative to the Baikonur base, a Soviet-built facility that Russia now leases from Kazakhstan.

"To use a military term, we will open a 'second front,'" Ivanov said, Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Interfax reported.

"By 2016 the new cosmodrome should be ready for rocket launches of any type and by 2018 it is planned that we will also be able to make manned flights from there," Ivanov said.

"It is linked to ensuring our country's independent access to space. In fact we are building not just a special facility in the Amur region, but a true city."

Russia and the United States run the world's most active space programmes, with manned flights from Baikonur or Cape Canaveral in Florida.

China's Jiuquan Space Centre is the third facility capable of handling manned missions.

The Vostochny base is to be built on the site of unfinished facility previously known as Svobodny at the settlement of Uglegorsk, which is located in a restricted zone.

In 1994, Russia agreed to rent Baikonur from Kazakhstan for 115 million dollars (91 million euros) annually, and this will continue until 2050 under a new agreement signed in 2004 by President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Dmitry Medvedev : Putin Appoints a Successor

Wed, 13 Dec 2007 02:08:00 GMT

posted by aidanki

Vladimir Putin intends to honor the demands of the Russian constitution which forbids a third consecutive term for a sitting president. With the end of his term approaching, Putin has given unusually close attention to the naming of a successor. This isn't altogether surprising. Given the tactics used by Putin to silence enemies in his push for his version of a strong Russia he has very good reason to want to retain his grip on power, and what better way to do so than via a proxy.

Deputy prime ministers, Sergei Ivanov and Dmitry Medvedev, are the two main contenders to replace the boss. Medvedev appears to be the chosen son and this comes as no surprise. Medvedev is in every sense Vlad's creature - as attuned to his master's voice as a dummy is to a ventriloquist. Some might argue that in Medvedev's case the term "dummy" is a gross oversimplification. His family is well established, part of the Russian elite. He's an academic and a smart politician, well schooled in the liberal arts - with an easy familiarity with Western ways. He's also a fan of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple - claims he has loved hard rock since his schooldays.

However this is a front that should fool nobody. Despite his veneer of liberalism, Medvedev is Putin's political servant. He was on-side back in 1999 when Putin first took over the reins of power. Unlike Ivanov who might prove to be less predictable as leader, Medvedev is unlikely to buck Putin's agenda. He was part of the push to rebuild Russia along more centralized and authoritarian lines. In his role as head of Gazprom Media, he was instrumental in helping to put the clamps on media critics of Putin.

Medvedev's liberalism is more form than substance. He represents no real ideological alternative to Putin. As a result of his distinguished background he has a certain cache in terms of status. But in practice, if elected he will essentially be a well educated and refined puppet. The Putin people have been working to create this facade for some time. While Medvedev charms and projects the impression of a progressive Russia, the boys with the real clout will still be pulling the strings.

Although Medvedev is the Kremlin favorite by current reckoning, it is possible Putin will name Ivanov as a candidate also in order to create the appearance of democracy-in-action.

In Russian politics, what you see ... is rarely what you get.

Tags: Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Russia, Kremlin, Gazprom, Sergei Ivanov"><$BlogSiteFeedUrl$>"><$BlogSiteFeedUrl$>" title="Atom feed">Site Feed

Sergei Ivanov is a sign of things to come

Fri, 17 Feb 2007 01:02:08 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team

The elevation of a man often described in the West as a "hawk" came less than a week after Mr. Putin delivered his most scathing criticism of U.S. policies at a security conference in Munich, vowing to stand up to American domination. "Ivanov's promotion adds more weight to the defence component in Russian foreign policy," a political analyst said. "It is also a signal that Russia is back on world stage as a key player."

Source: Hindu.com

Welcome to our blog about Sergei Ivanov

Fri, 17 Feb 2007 01:00:38 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team
This is our group blog, which is unique because any Zimbio member can post an entry to it. Some members blog about recent news and trends related to the portal topic, others recount relevant personal stories. You can also comment on and rate existing blog entries, to voice your opinion and to help the community identify which members and entries on the portal are must-reads. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this portal? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own blog entry!

Will Sergei Ivanov Be Next Russian President?

Tue, 12 Sep 2007 13:12:04 GMT

posted by fstopsky
Mystery continues to surround Putin’s choice to succeed him as the next president of Russia. His party, United Russia, will undoubtedly win a majority in the upcoming Parliamentary elections so there is scant doubt Putin continues to dominate Russia’s political scene. Ivanov and Putin were students together and both served in the KGB, Russia’s secret [...]