There are no traces of devastation in Chechnya- Kadyrov.

GROZNY, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of
Chechnya, has said that "there are no traces of devastation" in the
republic's territory.
"The republic is developing dynamically thanks to the selfless work of
the Chechen people. Every day we are opening new and modern buildings,
social and cultural facilities; we are creating conditions for the
development of economy, education, public health and sport," Kadyrov
emphasized.
"The rule of law is prevailing in Chechnya. Each resident, in turn,
should work for the benefit of the republic, appreciate all the positive
transformations that are taking place in it and never forget at what price
we've achieved this peace," the Chechen president went on to say.
He added that the Chechen leadership would do everything within their
power to prevent any forces from breaking this peaceful life on the
Chechen soil.

. Russian patrol ship detains pirate boat off Somali coast.

MOSCOW, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - A Russian patrol ship has detained a
boat with seven pirates onboard as they were trying to hijack the Ariella
ship flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The Neustrashimyi (the
Fearless) seized the boat in 80 miles off the Somali coast, a
spokesperson for the Russian Navy told Itar-Tass on Saturday.
The Fearless exchanged information with the Danish combat support ship
Absalon, which was approximately ten miles away from the Ariella.
The Ariela crew, which has several Ukrainian nationals, has regained
control of the ship.
At the moment, the Fearless is escorting the Ariella eastward. After
that, the Ariella will continue its voyage independently to a place of
destination.

. German FM calls for discussion of Medvedev's security proposals.

MUNICH, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - German Foreign Minister Guido
Westerwelle has called for meaningful discussion of European security
initiatives proposed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"Strategic partnership with Russia is an inseparable part not only of
European security, it's also important for the solution of global
problems," Mr. Westerwelle told the 46th Munich Conference on Security
Policy on Saturday.
"We want this partnership and we want to develop it in areas where we
have common interests. This is also true of meaningful discussion on
president Medvedev's proposals on European security," the German foreign
minister went on to say.
He also supported the development of trans-Atlantic friendship and
partnership.
"The American and European positions have seldom been closer than they
are today," Guido Westerwelle said. He noted common interest in fighting
terrorism and in the solution of regional conflicts.
"All our societies have suffered from the financial and economic
crisis," the German diplomat said, adding that everybody was facing common
challenges and that created favourable conditions for renewed
trans-Atlantic partnership.

. NATO expansion poses no threat to Russia - Rasmussen.

MUNICH, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen criticized a number of key provisions of Russia's new Military
Doctrine at the 46th Munich Conference on Security Policy on Saturday.
In his interview to Reuters, Mr. Rasmussen said that the part of
Russia's new military strategy which regards NATO expansion as a threat to
Russia's interests didn't match the reality and was running counter to
efforts designed to improve relations between NATO and Russia.
Rasmussen emphasized that NATO wasn't an enemy of Russia and added
that this provision of the Russian Military doctrine contradicted NATO's
attempts to improve relations between NATO and Russia.
In the meantime, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has called
for meaningful discussion of European security initiatives proposed by
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"Strategic partnership with Russia is an inseparable part not only of
European security, it's also important for the solution of global
problems," Mr. Westerwelle told the 46th Munich Conference on Security
Policy on Saturday.
"We want this partnership and we want to develop it in areas where we
have common interests. This is also true of meaningful discussion on
president Medvedev's proposals on European security," the German foreign
minister went on to say.
He also supported the development of trans-Atlantic friendship and
partnership.
"The American and European positions have seldom been closer than they
are today," Guido Westerwelle said. He noted common interest in fighting
terrorism and in the solution of regional conflicts.
"All our societies have suffered from the financial and economic
crisis," the German diplomat said, adding that everybody was facing common
challenges and that created favourable conditions for renewed
trans-Atlantic partnership.

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