Mr. Shpektor quoted alarming statistics to bear out his point. The Far Northern population dwindled by 2.2 million, or 16.7 per cent from 1989 into 2002. The shrinkage mainly involved the ablebodied population, so pensioners now account for more than 20 per cent of the total. The population outflow is going on. Aborigines are on the verge of extinction.

Mayors of arctic and subarctic towns call the federal governme

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nt to reinstate the Council for Northern Territories. As Mr. Shpektor sees it, a revived council may be subordinate to the federal Ministry of Regional Development.

The conferees pointed out dire poverty and resultant malnutrition in the Russian Far North. Staple food consumption has halved or fallen even more in many parts of the area, pointed out several speakers.

Of special concern is a housing and public utilities reform, now underway. The Far North needs related privileges preserved, said Igor Shpektor.

House heating is in a bad crisis, he went on. Municipal piping network wear-and-tear has exceeded 60 per cent. Half boiler-room equipment demands urgent replacement. Not enough fuel is supplied and stocked up. The actual amount never exceeds a half or 60 per cent, at most, of demand. Meanwhile, northern areas public utilities fees exceed Central Russian five- to six-fold, stressed the conferees.

MOSCOW, November 16 (RIA Novosti)