August 13, 2007 13:00
Monday
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President Vladimir Putin and Prince Albert II of Monaco visited the ancient Uighur Por-Bazhyn Fortress archaeological excavation site.
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Mr Putin and Prince Albert II were met at the airport in Kyzyl by Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu and head of the Republic of Tuva’s government Sholban Kara-ool.
After a brief welcome ceremony the President and Prince Albert II boarded a helicopter for Lake Tere-Khol and then travelled by motor boat to the island where the Por-Bazhyn Fortress is located.
The distinguished visitors were met at the entrance to the excavation site by the archaeological expedition’s scientific director, Tigran Mkrtychev. According to Mr Mkrtychev, the fortress was built around 757 AD and took a year to complete. It is typical of Chinese mixed earth and stone fortified constructions of that time.
The visit lasted around an hour, during which Mr Putin and Prince Albert II were shown one of the most valuable finds – colour drawings on the fortress’ plaster.
The team carrying out the excavations includes students and teachers from universities in Moscow, St Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk and Kyzyl and members of the Nashi youth movement. Mr Putin and Prince Albert II’s visit to the site was an unexpected surprise.
The President and Prince Albert II invited the students and teachers to share dinner that evening.
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August 13, 2007 20:00
Monday
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President Vladimir Putin and Prince Albert II of Monaco made a 48-kilometre long boat trip along the Yenisei River.
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After visiting the Por-Bazhyn Fortress archaeological excavation site, Mr Putin and Prince Albert II flew by helicopter to the upper reaches of the Yenisei River and made a 48-kilometre long journey down the rapids in small boats.
The boats ran aground on two occasions and the occupants were forced to get out and free them by hand.
During the trip, Mr Putin and Prince Albert II caught fish and also visited an isolated settlement where a family of Old Believers – the father, mother, their nine sons with their wives and children, and their five daughters with their husbands and children – have been living for many years now.
After the boat trip, Mr Putin and Prince Albert II, together with the students and teachers carrying out the excavations at the Por-Bazhyn Fortress, drank tea beside a camp fire and watched a concert performed by musical ensembles from the Republic of Tuva – Chirgilchin, Ottai and Alash.
The Tuvan ensmebles are renowned for being among the best performers of throat singing. People’s Artist of Russia Anzor Mongun-ool, in particular, gave a performance. Mr Putin thanked the performers after the concert, saying that it is precisely people such as themselves, working in different areas, including in the arts, who create the face of Russia. The President and Prince Albert II had a souvenir photograph taken together with the performers and the students.
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August 14, 2007 11:30
Tuesday
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Following the derailment of a passenger train Vladimir Putin gave a number of instructions.
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Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with FSB Director Nikolai Patrushev and acting Health, Social Development Minister Vladimir Starodubov and Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who was on the scene of the accident.
The Russian head of state listened to a report by Nikolai Patrushev on the progress of the investigation into the terrorist attack on the Russian railway and asked that he be kept informed of how the investigation proceeds.
The President also instructed Vladimir Starodubov to personally oversee the process by which the victims receive help.
The President ordered Igor Levitin that everything possible be done to restore train traffic on the railway line.
Last night an explosion caused a passenger train to derail in the Novgorod region.
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August 14, 2007 19:30
Tuesday
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Vladimir Putin is receiving detailed information on progress of work being conducted at the site of the train derailment in the Novgorod region and on the help provided to victims.
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The President had a telephone conversation with President of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin. The head of Russian Railways reported on measures that are being taken to facilitate the full restoration of rail traffic on the line between Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as efforts conducted in tandem with the Health and Social Development Ministry to provide medical and psychological help to the victims.
The head of state also spoke with Transport Minister Igor Levitin over the phone and listened to his report on the progress of work underway to repair the damage caused by the train derailment.
Last night a passenger train travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg derailed following an explosion on the rail tracks.
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August 15, 2007 14:30
Wednesday
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During his visit to Tuva, President Vladimir Putin discussed the preservation of the republic's unique ecosystems with scientists.
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Together with Andrei Subbotin, senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Problems of Ecology and Evolution, who the President invited to accompany him on the visit to Tuva, Mr Putin made a boat trip down the Khemchik River, crossing rapids classified as grade four difficulty on the way.
After the boat trip, the President and Mr Subbotin travelled by car and horse to the foothills of the Western Sayan Range, crossed several valleys and observed various types of wildlife, including the Siberian mountain goat. During the trip, Mr Putin discussed the issue of preserving unique ecosystems and rare animal species with Mr Subbotin.
Mr Putin also travelled to the eastern part of the Republic of Tuva, where he visited the Balaktykhem River.
Before leaving the republic, Mr Putin met with Sholban Kara-ool, the head of Tuva’s government.
The President left the Tuvan capital, Kyzyl, in the middle of the day.
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Trip to the Republic of Tuva
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