Putin to visit VGIK Cinematography University on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, November 3 (Itar-Tass) - Vladimir Putin will visit the
All-Russia State University of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov
here on Tuesday.


He is to preside over the first meeting of a Governmental
Council on the Development of Domestic Cinematography, an official in the
Russian government press service has told Itar-Tass.
Those present at the Council's meeting, which is to be attended by
Alexander Avdeyev, Minister of Culture, Nikita Mikhalkov, Chairman of the
Cinematographers' Union of the Russian Federation, cultural figures, and
members of the business community, "will discuss matters of current
importance concerning the development of domestic cinematography, and ways
to raise the effectiveness of State policy in this field".
It is expected that "Those present will consider matters pertaining
to State support to Russia's cinematography, the development of its
infrastructure on the basis of State-private (business) partnership,
broader possibilities for the production of films in various regions of
the country and for the population's access to modern cinematic
productions, a rise in the competitiveness of Russian films on the
internal and world markets, and integration of domestic cinematography
into the world cinema process".
The Governmental Council, set up in accordance with the Russian
government decision, dated December 24, 2008, is a permanently functioning
deliberative body formed with a view to elaborating proposals connected
with the implementation of the State policy in the field of cinematography.
The purpose of the Council's activities is to ensure an effective
interaction between Federal executive power bodies, cultural figures, and
business entities in matters aimed at developing domestic cinematography.

.Moldova parliament to meet Tue to endorse election date.

CHISINAU, November 3 (Itar-Tass) - The parliament of Moldova meets
here on Tuesday to approved a date, November 10, of a presidential
election. A draft decision on the matter is on the agenda of the upcoming
meeting, an official in the legislature's press service has told Itar-Tass.
The previously scheduled vote on the
matter on
October 23 was postponed owing to contradictions in the electoral
legislation. Last week, the members of parliament adopted a number of
amendments that make it possible to hold the first round of elections. If
a president is not elected in the first round, an election run-off is to
be held 30 days later.
Meanwhile the authorities and the opposition have been so far unable
to reach agreement on the election of a Head of State. Marian Lupu, leader
of the Democratic Party, nominated by the ruling coalition in parliament,
remains the only candidate for the presidency.
However, in order to elect a president, 61 votes out of 101 are
essential. The ruling coalition, which has 53 seats, is lacking eight
votes. The Communists, who are in opposition, and who are in control of
the other 48 seats, stated that they would not vote either for Lupu or any
other candidate from the ruling coalition.
If a president is not elected, Mihai Ghimpu, acting President and
Speaker of Parliament, is bound to dissolve the legislature and fix an
early election. In accordance with the adopted amendments to the electoral
legislation, an early election may be held not earlier than next year's
autumn.

.Hillary Clinton to hold talks with Mubarak in Egypt Wed.

RABAT, November 3 (Itar-Tass) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
will hold talks with President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt on Wednesday, Philip
Crowley, assistant to the Secretary of State for public and press
relations, has announced.
Crowley said Secretary Clinton would leave Morocco for Egypt by air on
Tuesday and hold talks with President Mubarak in Cairo on Wednesday. The
future of the Middle East peace process and ways towards a resumption of
the Palestinian-Israeli talks are expected to be the main subject of
discussion during the meeting.
Egypt is one of key regional initiators of the peace process. It comes
out in favour of a politico-diplomatic settlement of the years-long
Arab-Israeli standoff.
While in Morocco, Clinton is attending the Forum for the Future.
-0-pop