Compiled by Luba Schwartzman Research Analyst, Center for Defense Information, Moscow office
HEADLINES,
Wednesday, October 9, 2002

• The All-Russian Census begins today.  Residents of the Far East were the first to take part in the census.  In Buryatia, the census began at 2am  Moscow time.  A number of famous Russians have already registered with the census.
• Any resident of the Russian Federation can use the special hotline to answer the questions.  For Kaliningrad, the Census is more than just a census.  Now that the question of transit visas is on the table, many are afraid that they will not be eligible for transit visas if they are not accounted for.
• Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov is positive that the census campaign will go well.
• Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov called upon Russian residents not to fear the All-Russian Census.  He declared that the census will have a positive effects on Russian demography, sociology and economy.