11 January 2001
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
New Aircraft Certified -- and Two Go to Putin
Kazan's Gorbunov aircraft plant on 10 January received notification of the certification for sale of its new model 215-passenger TU-124, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir service reported. Khabarovsk's Dalavia company had announced plans to lease two of the planes, and two more have been ordered by the company which services Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Federal Inspector Sees Power Sharing Key Issue for 2001
The chief federal inspector in Tatarstan Marsel Galimardanov said on 10 January that working on power sharing between the federation and its entities will be the most important issue in 2001, Tatar Television reported. He said that 89 of 115 republic legal acts have been brought into conformity with the federal constitution and laws and that 14 of thse acts are now in the courts. Galimardanov said he plans to boost control over federal disbursements in the republic, tax collection, and guidance to local departments and ministries
Grachev Joins Presidential Race
Tatarstan's RIZ ("Equality and Legality") movement head Ivan Grachev on 10 January will join the republic's presidential race, Tatar television reported. He thus becomes the fifth candidate, after communist Robert Sadykov, worker Rafek Sadykov, a general manager Marsel Salyamov, and the head of the movement "Against Criminality and Illegality" Dmitri Berdnikov. All of them have until 12 February to collect the 50,000 signatures they need to be certified as candidates.
Chally TPC Against Closing Muslim Religious School
The Tatar Public Center Chally branch on 9 January expressed its concern about the possible closure of the Yoldyz madrasah, Efir-Inform reported. Having learned that prosecutors plan to close the school this month over a licensing issue, the TPC branch said that such an action would contradict the republic's condition because it would constitute interference in religious affairs. The organization urged the officials "not to give way to provocations and pressure."
By Gulnara Khasanova
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Bashkortostan, Sweden to Cooperate
The presidential press service reported on 10 January that a Swedish labor official has met with Bashkortostan's Deputy Prime Minister Fidus Yamaltdinov to discuss cooperation in social programs based on computer technologies. The two sides will focus on rehabilitation technologies in the initial stage.
Government Pushes Bank Restructuring
Finmarket reported on 10 January that the Bashkortostan government had transferred some 225 million rubles ($8 million) to Bashprombank as part of an agreement to restructure the republic's credit organizationss. Two-thirds of the money is to be used as a budget credit while the rest will serve to increase the bank's capitalization.
Bashkortostan Expands Life Guard Service
Ufa is creating a life guard service, Bashinform reported on 10 January. Such groups already exist in Ufa, Beloretsk and Sterlitamak, and this new initiative will lead to their formation in Kumertau and Salavat. The news service noted that no one had drowned in Ufa during the past year because of the work of the unit there.
Ufa Broadens Cultural Ties with Ural Regions
Bashkortostan's Deputy Culture Minister Sazhida Ishmukhametova on 9 January took part in a Greater Ural cultural cooperation council meeting in Tyumen, Bashinform reported. That group seeks to strengthen interregional ties via the creation of common data bases, Internet sites, and information projects.
By Gulnara Khasanova