.Itar-Tass overnight news cycle for September 10 -1.

.Svyazinvest CEO resigns.

MOSCOW, September 10 (Itar-Tass) -- Svyazinvest CEO Yevgeny Yurchenko
offered to resign, the biggest Russian telecom holding said on Thursday.
"I confirm the information," Svyazinvest spokesman Igor Pshenichnikov
told Tass, saying Yurchenko submitted his resignation to the chairman of
the board of directors. Pshenichnikov refused to elaborate.
Svyazinvest assets include seven inter-regional telecoms, Rostelecom
operator of intercity and international communications, and the leading
Giprosvyaz design institute for communication means.


.Yanukovich denies political repressions against previous govt.

KIEV, September 10 (Itar-Tass) -- Ukrainian President Viktor
Yanukovich rejected accusations of political repressions against members
of the previous government saying they are investigated for corruption and
shadow deals.
"Today some people like to describe the actions of authorities against
former government members as political repressions," he said on Thursday
adding claims about political persecutions are voiced in order to escape
responsibility.
"I have to disappoint them as there are no politics in that," the
president told a meeting of his Party of Regions.
"Everyone regardless of party affiliation and political convictions
will be brought to responsibility for shadow deals, for embezzling state
property and budget funds. Criminals will be definitely punished and
everyone has to know that," Yanukovich said and promised to resolutely
fight corruption.
"Corruption is a disease that ruins the state, business, and society.
Authorities will treat the disease resolutely and strictly," he said.
As for the upcoming local election in the country scheduled for
October 31, the president said he would not allow any separatism and
splits between the west and the east of the country.
"I will take all effort to save Ukraine from separatism, territorial
conflicts and splits. It is no secret that some political forces want to
turn the country into divided and warring clans and to use (local
elections) as a platform for political provocations," Yanukovich said.
"I stress such attempts are futile," he added.
The president said local self-government election has to form a strong
national governing team. "The team will take on responsibility for deep
reforms," he said.

.India, Russia join effort in transport aircraft design.

NEW DELHI, September 10 (Itar-Tass) -- India and Russia signed an
agreement on Thursday to join effort in the design and construction of a
new multi-purpose transport aircraft (MTA) which is scheduled to be
produced in six years.
The governments of both countries have allocated 300 million dollars
each to finance the joint venture, which is to be set up by Russian
Rosoboronexport arms trader and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and
India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The joint venture called MTA will be headquartered in India and an
affiliate will be opened in Moscow.
"The signing of the agreement is the first step on the path of MTA
creation," said deputy head of the Russian Federal Service for
Military-Technical Cooperation Alexander Fomin.
India plans to buy 45 MTA and Russia a hundred. The parties estimate
the global market demand for the aircraft at 390.
"The breakeven result of the project is guaranteed," UAC
Vice-President Viktor Livanov said. "For the first time in history both
countries will design, sell, service, and utilize a transport aircraft
from scratch."
HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak described the deal as a major step for Indian
aircraft-making.
MAT will have a carrying capacity of 20 tons and a distance range of
2250 kilometers. It will be fit for operation in various climatic and
weather conditions.
Both parties also said they plan to sign a contract by the end of the
year for concept design of a fifth-generation combat aircraft - the
Perspective Aircraft Complex of the Front Aviation T-50 (PAK-FA).
Experts estimate the project will cost both parties 8-10 billion
dollars and the aircraft will surpass western analogues by cost-efficiency
ratio.
Russia is also actively working to agree with India on further
supplies of Mi-17 multi-purpose transport helicopters, Fomin said.
The Indian defense ministry said it plans to buy 59 Mi-17 from Russia.
Indian Air Force has already acquired 80 Mi-17.
Fomin said India remains a major Russian partner in military-technical
cooperation. "There is a normal process of technology exchange between our
countries that is beneficial for both parties. The portfolio of recently
signed contracts comprised billions of dollars," he said.
-0-nec.


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