15 August 2000
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Plans Being Made For Tatarstan's 10th Anniversary of Sovereignty Declaration
Tatarstan's deputy prime minister, Ilgiz Khairullin, said on 14 August that in spite of some revisionary attempts to interpret this event in another way, it is hard to overestimate the significance for the republic of the adoption of the Sovereignty Declaration. Khairullin made his comments at a meeting of the republican organizing committee for ceremonies to mark the 10th anniversary of the declaration and the 995th anniversary of the founding of Tatarstan's capital, Kazan. Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov, who chaired the meeting, noted that "our task is to celebrate the anniversary of sovereignty in a fitting manner." A celebration program was discussed, including a session of the Tatarstan State Council on 29 August in which President Mintimer Shaimiev is scheduled to sum up the events of the last decade.
Explosives Found In Youth Hostel
Anna Belobrova, the head of the press center of Tatarstan's Interior Ministry, told Tatar Radio on 14 August that 390 grams of explosives, a detonator, and an inflammable cord were found during a search at a hostel where Chechens has been staying. Belobrova said proceedings were instituted against four Chechen students at the Kazan Technological University but that they deny any connection to the materials. She added that the suspects were spoken highly of by other students.
Tatar Government Continues Tax Amnesty
The total amount owed to the state budget by Tatarstan's companies and organizations totalled 20 billion rubles, Tatar-inform reported on 14 August citing the republican board of the Russian Tax Ministry. Some 5 billion rubles are owed to the federal budget, 2.5 billion to the republican budget, and 1.5 billion to local budgets. Many entities were not able to pay the old debts and their current taxes. Tatarstan's government adopted more advantageous terms for restructuring the debts of republican enterprises. In the current year, 310 companies are allowed to totally restructure some 2 billion rubles worth of debts, among them Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Tatneftegeophisika, which owed over 20 million rubles each.
Tatar President Receives Award From Scientists
Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev was granted the golden Peter the Great medal by the International Academy of Sciences on 14 August in Kazan, Tatar-inform reported. The reward was given by the first vice president of the academy and a member of the International Association of the World's Scientists, Isaak Geikhman. Shaimiev was awarded the decoration for the revival of science and economics in Russia and for his steadfast attention to preserving interethnic and economic stability in the region. During the ceremony, Shaimiev discussed plans for greater state support of scientists and people working in higher educational institutions.
KamAZ To Show New Cars
The KamAZ truck concern will present new models of the small car Oka at the international car show NIMS-2000 next week in Moscow, Tatar Radio reported on 14 August. A mini-truck, the Gnome, and a modified small car, the Alsou--which is equipped with an engine produced by the Zaporozhye auto factory are among the latest models designed by KamAZ.
By Gulnara Khasanova