The shift must be made. That is beyond doubt, as the previous arrangement badly harassed foreign trade within the Commonwealth. In fact, commerce will be encouraged eventually to bring revenues far exceeding previous VAT incomes, he reassured.
There is another crucial matter for the Cabinet to settle-privatisation prospects for historical and architectural monuments of a federal purport. "The issue will be reported to me as soon as I come back to Moscow, and will appear on the agenda of the nearest government session," said Mr. Fradkov.
Monument preservation is a burning matter. Russia's cultural centres, especially St. Petersburg and Moscow, are anxious to see it settled as soon as possible, pointed out the Premier.
A majority of Russia's principal monuments are in a deplorable state. Their fate came under debate as St. Pete's municipal top gathered in session today to take stock of social and economic problems.
Mayor Valentina Matvienko raised the issue last month with Russia's first-ever public call to pass the most precious monuments into private hands. Yuri Luzhkov, her Moscow counterpart, promptly approved the idea.
