Central Urals await Putin, Schroeder

Stepped-up preparations are underway in Sverdlovsk Region for the October 8-9 visit to the Central Urals of President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder of Germany. All personnel of the Sverdlovsk militia are on call for extra duty during the period from now through October 10. In addition, a special operations command has been created within the Sverdlovsk Administration of Internal Affairs to coordinate militia efforts to maintain order and secure the safety of summit participants, Rosbalt has learned from the Administration.

Ekaterinburg's Koltsovo Airport is preparing to receive the planes carrying the Russian president and German chancellor. Upgrading of landing strips is virtually complete, as is the refurbishing of the airport's VIP reception hall, parking areas and building facades, the airport press office said. Remodeling is nearing completion on the airport hotel's accommodations, where the crews of the German planes are expected to stay. A special decorative gateway has been created at the Kalinin Factory for transfer to the airport. The preparations are being paid for by the airport, which has already spent more than USD 330,000 on them.