LOCAL NEWS

EU, RUSSIA GET READY TO MIND FENCES

BRUSSELS — The European Union edged closer to agreeing to restart talks with Russia on a partnership pact on Monday after Britain and Sweden backed the move despite their concerns over Moscow’s troop presence in Georgia.

Their decision, which followed acknowledgements by Lithuania and Poland that they could not block such a move, made it more likely that an EU-Russia summit on Friday will give the green light for negotiations frozen by the EU in September after the war between Russia and Georgia.

EU states have been grappling with the issue for weeks, with Britain and Sweden among a minority of countries with reservations about relaunching the negotiations on the key pact.

“To have a relationship with Russia that has a framework is better for the EU,” EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said as foreign ministers met on the matter in Brussels.

PUTIN PROMISES ACTION ON ECONOMIC MELTDOWN

MOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed off on a program to help the Russian economy battle the global financial crisis as part of a promised shift of focus from the banking sector and stock exchanges to the country’s real economic sector.

The plan, published Friday, includes placing Central Bank representatives within the management of the country’s biggest banks to ensure that state money reaches its intended targets and will see state-controlled corporations investing more rigorously in the economy.

NATIONAL NEWS

MEDVEDEV TELLS POLICE TO QUELL SIGNS OF CRISIS-LINKED UNREST

President Dmitry Medvedev in St. Petersburg on Friday ordered police to stamp out any social unrest or crime arising from the global financial crisis.

“We have a stable state. … We do not need a return to the 1990s when everything was boiling and seething,” Medvedev told a meeting of senior officials.

“The law enforcement agencies should keep track of what is happening,” he said.

“And if someone tries to exploit the consequences of the financial crisis … they should intervene, bring criminal charges. Otherwise, there won’t be order.”

The longest economic boom in a generation has helped the Kremlin maintain political stability, but some analysts say the financial crisis could give rise to a wave of social unrest.

COOL MOSCOW WILL WAIT FOR OBAMA

Moscow signaled over the weekend that relations with Washington will come to a virtual standstill until President-elect Barack Obama assumes office in January, rejecting new U.S. proposals on missile defense and nuclear arms reduction.

President Dmitry Medvedev also spoke by telephone with Obama, and the two agreed to meet soon, possibly at a summit on the global financial crisis in Washington this week, the Kremlin said.

Communists Use Anniversary To Tell Capitalist World: Told You So!

MOSCOW — Tens of thousands of Communists took to the streets nationwide Friday to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the 1917 Revolution and gloat at how capitalism has led to the global financial crisis.

More than 150,000 citizens took part in the rallies across the country, according to the Interior Ministry, and in Moscow thousands of supporters marched Friday evening from Pushkin Square to Teatralnaya Ploshchad to commemorate the Revolution.

LOCAL BUSINESS

MEDVEDEV HAPPY TO TALK TRADE WITH U.S.

After including a chilly, anti-American message in his state-of-the-nation address Wednesday, President Dmitry Medvedev was on hand to offer a warm welcome Friday as U.S. automaker General Motors officially opened a new plant in St. Petersburg.

Medvedev used the event, which was also attended by U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle, to talk about doing business with the United States.

“This is a great example of investment cooperation between Russia and the United States,” Medvedev said at the ceremony, wishing the Detroit-based company good luck.

Beyrle emphasized the same theme of Russia-U.S. cooperation.

“We are both unwell because of the financial crisis, but we can improve the situation by working together,” Beyrle said.

RUSSIA, VENEZUELA TO FORM NEW BANK

Venezuela and Russia agreed Saturday to form a $4 billion joint bank to pay for development projects, the day after inaugurating the first Venezuelan-Russian offshore natural gas project.

AIDE TIES WTO MEMBERSHIP WITH RUSSIA-EU TRADE POLICY

MOSCOW — Arkady Dvorkovich, the Kremlin’s top economic adviser, signaled ahead of a key meeting with European officials that the government would be willing to reconsider potentially contentious trade decisions if WTO negotiations could be wrapped up quickly.

IN BRIEF

Chelsea Funding Cut Down

LONDON (Reuters) — Billionaire Roman Abramovich has hit the financial brake at Chelsea, chief scout Frank Arnesen said Saturday.

OPINION

THE COURT MAKES THE KING

Senator Barack Obama’s impressive victory will clearly lead to important changes in U.S. domestic policy, where he differs significantly from both President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain. Whether the president-elect will make major adjustments in U.

OBAMA AND THE KGB

I was arrested by the KGB in Stalin’s hometown of Gori in March 1988. Six men interrogated me about my Russian-language skills, my lack of papers and my high-speed camera, but after several hours my explanation was accepted.

WORLD

Journalist Imprisoned in Afghan Cave

KABUL — Afghan kidnappers kept a Canadian journalist captive in a cave for four weeks before she was freed, the woman said in comments released on Sunday.

Mellissa Fung, a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp in Afghanistan, was freed on Saturday after being kidnapped a month ago near the capital, Kabul.

SPORT

VENUS VANQUISHES VERA IN SEASON FINALE

DOHA — Venus Williams beat Russia’s Vera Zvonareva 6-7 6-0 6-2 on Sunday to win the WTA Championships and complete an undefeated week at the season-ending event.

It was the first time the American had won the event after she reached the semi-finals in her previous two appearances.

ANELKA PUTS CHELSEA IN POLE POSITION

LONDON — Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a convincing 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at a rain-drenched Ewood Park.