8 June 2005
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Tatenergo Imposes Stricter Terms On Energy Consumers
Tatenergo, Tatarstan's state-owned energy monopoly, will tighten the requirements for its small business customers by altering the standard power supply contracts, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported on 8 June. The contracts will include a new provision which will require customers to use their planned amount of energy for a one-year term or face a 50 percent penalty charge on the amount of unconsumed energy.
Experts quoted in Russian and Tatar media said this situation is unique in Russia. An unnamed executive within Russia's Unified Energy Systems told an RFE/RL Kazan correspondent that Tatenergo's initiative is a result of the company's energy overproduction and their failure to reach markets outside Tatarstan.
Tatarstan, Gazprom To Prolong Cooperation Treaty
Prime Minster Rustam Minnikhanov, meeting with Gazprom's deputy chairman of the board, Aleksandr Annenkov, in Kazan on 7 June, said Tatarstan will sign a new cooperation agreement with the monopoly, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported. The contract will run from 2006 until 2010. The agreement is similar to previous contracts and will provide stable gas supplies from Gazprom. The company will also purchase Tatarstan-produced goods such as KamAZ heavy trucks.
Daily Suggests Moscow's Energy Crisis Possible In Other Regions
Last month's energy crisis in Moscow could threaten other regions of Russia, "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" reported on 7 June. As many as 50 percent of power supply facilities are suffering from outdated equipment, Tatarstan's Tatenergo Company General Director Ilshat Ferdiev said in the report. He said the Moscow disaster could be repeated in Tatarstan if the Kinderi or Bogelme power stations fail.
Kazan Ready To Launch Tu-334 Production in 2007
Production of the Tu-334 airliner at Kazan Aircraft Plant (KAPO Imeni Gorbunova) will not begin until 2007, "Kommersant-Daily" reported. Russian Premier Mikhail Fradkov signed a decree in April 2005 on the launch. Tatarstan's government had already expressed a readiness to invest some $30 million in the project. The Tu-334 is a medium-range aircraft also known as an interregional carrier.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Prosecutor Opposes Out-Of-Court Resolution In Privatization Case
Bashkortostan's chief prosecutor, Aleksandr Konovalov, expressed strong opposition to a purported attempt by the investment group Bashkirskii Kapital to resolve problems stemming from the handover of state-owned shares in Bashkir petrochemical enterprises, an RFE/RL Ufa correspondent reported, citing Konovalov's 7 June news conference (see "RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Report," 7 June 2005). Konovalov claimed that deals through which stakes were acquired by Bashkirskii Kapital -- which is said to be controlled by members of President Murtaza Rakhimov's family -- should be overturned by a court. Meanwhile, a Bashkortostan arbitration court hearing a case brought by the republican property ministry against Bashkirskii Kapital has declared a recess until 9 June.
Senior Police Officer Accused Of Abuses
Bashkortostan's Prosecutor-General's Office filed a criminal case against Bariy Aminov, the head of police in the Dim region, in connection with his allegedly concealing violence by a subordinate during an interrogation, Bashinform reported on 8 June. Aminov is accused of providing false information about the origin of numerous injuries by a suspect.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi