Saturday, January 27, 2001. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation established the following official exchange rates: Currency Quantity Well Change US dollar 1 28.36 Euro 1 26.18 +0.02 Italian lira 1000 13.52 +0.01 German mark 1 13.39 +0.02 French franc 10 39.91 +0.03 Pound sterling 1 41.38 +0.07 Japanese yen 100 24.26 +0.13 Friday, January 26, 2001.

January 26, 2001. The International PEN Center, which unites writers from all over the world, is deeply concerned about the legal proceedings currently underway against Mr. Vladimir Gusinsky, head of the Media-Most group. PEN Center has learned that Mr. Gusinsky has been charged with fraud in connection with the failure to repay a loan to the state-owned company Gazprom. Despite prosecutors' claims that the charges are being brought solely in connection with Mr.

January 25, 2001 The Belarusian PEN Center, a member of the World Association of Writers "International PEN Club", is seriously concerned about the motives for the criminal prosecution of the head of the Media-Most holding, Vladimir Gusinsky, who is currently under house arrest in Spain. The media included in the holding are widely known for their critical attitude towards the policies pursued by the Russian authorities today.