.Drought-affected regions to use fodder grain from govt stocks.

NOVO-OGAREVO, July 22 (Itar-Tass) -- Drought-stricken regions will be
allowed to use fodder grain from the so-called interventions fund shortly,
First Vice Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said at a meeting with Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.
Putin urged Zubkov to watch the situation closely, "set up a working
group and monitor the situation weekly."
He admitted that "the [drought] situation is not improving but is
deteriorating: we had 14-15 drought-affected regions, now there are many
more of them."
According to Zubkov, 23 regions have been affected by the drought and
declared a state of emergency.
Putin asked Zubkov to remind regional leaders that the sooner they
assess the damage from the drought, the faster the affected farms will get
the aid.

.Russian Mi-17 helicopters best for Afghanistan - NATO officer.

BRUSSELS, July 22 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Mi-17 helicopters are the
best choice for Afghanistan's army, NATO's Military Committee Chairman,
Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola said.
The alliance has asked Russia to provide the Afghan army with
helicopters because its aviation consists fully of Russian- and
Soviet-made Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters and Afghan pilots know the
machines.
The admiral believes it would be reasonable to proceed from this fact
rather than try to reequip the Afghan army with some other helicopters.
Di Paola also believes that the Mi-17 has proved most fit and suitable
for Afghanistan. It is simple, reliable and relatively easy to maintain
and service, and has a big lifting capacity, which makes it practically
ideal for Afghanistan.
He noted that some of the NATO countries were using Russian Mi-17
helicopters in Afghanistan.
The admiral said Russia had submitted its "helicopter package"
proposals and they were being studied by allies.
If the deal is made, it will be followed by the training of Afghan
pilots and servicing personnel.
"Russia is ready to meet the Afghan government's request for
helicopters. In the opinion of Afghan experts confirmed by the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command, Russian
helicopters will ideally fit Afghan conditions: they are easy to operate,
reliable, efficient and known by Afghan pilots," Russian permanent
representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said earlier.
"We have drafted a helicopter package, which includes helicopters,
maintenance service, supply of helicopter parts, fuel, armaments and
ammunition, and training of pilots. The parameters were presented to NATO,
which is handing Afghan army procurements," he said.
"We need to know what our partners want exactly before we name the
price," Rogozin said, noting that a discount was possible.
"NATO is actively discussing the project. The ball is in their court,"
Rogozin concluded.
Rogozin expressed hope that the decision on the purchase of the
Russian Mi-17 helicopters for the needs of the coalition forces in
Afghanistan would be made before the end of July.
"The point at issue is several dozen Mi-17 helicopters in various
configurations," he specified. "If the Western community is ready to
assist Afghanistan in the creation of its armed forces that could control
the situation in the country after the withdrawal of the coalition forces,
then they should be equipped with state-of-the-art armaments."
Rogozin also drew attention to the fact that "Russia will make these
supplies not free of charge." In his view, "Funds of countries that do not
send military contingents, but make financial investments may be used for
the purchase of the Russian helicopter equipment by the Afghan
government." He also emphasised that he meant the supplies of "helicopter
equipment, i.e., not only the helicopters themselves, but also fuel,
ammunition, armaments and the creation of an overhaul base."
Russian Ambassador in Kabul Andrei Avetisyan told Itar-Tass earlier
that Russia was ready to supply to Afghanistan military equipment and
armaments on a bilateral and multilateral basis.

.Russia's inflation below 5 prc since start of year -- statistics.

MOSCOW, July 22 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's inflation has reached 4.7
percent since the beginning of the year, the Federal State Statistics
Service said on Wednesday, July 21.
During the week from July 13 to July 19, inflation was 0.1 percent.
The price of buckwheat went up by 2.6 percent, sugar by 1.5 percent,
chicken meat by 0.8 percent, and millet by 0.4 percent.
Egg and cheese prices decreased by 0.7 and 0.3 percent respectively.
Fruit and vegetable prices went down by 0.4 percent, including cabbage
and onion by 5.3 and 2.2 percent respectively. At the same time, potato
and carrot prices grew by 1.9 and 0.3 percent.
Gasoline prices increased by 0.2 percent, diesel fuel by 0.1 percent,
the Prime-Tass business news agency reported.
The report was drafted on the basis of weekly monitoring of retail
prices for 61 socially important goods and services, which the Federal
State Statistics Service carries out in 266 Russian cities and towns.
According to the government's official forecasts, the country's
inflation in 2010 is expected to be 6.5-7.5 percent.
-0-zak/


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