2 April 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Salary Raise For State Employees Not On Tatarstan Government's Agenda
Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev said that although a proposed wage hike for state employees should be removed from the government's agenda for now, "we should return to the question this year." Shaimiev made his comments at a meeting with the heads of local administrations, ministries, and leading companies on 1 April. He said the wages of state workers in Tatarstan will remain higher than they are in Russia despite a decision by Moscow to increase state salaries by 50 percent from 1 April. Shaimiev said Tatarstan's main goal is to pay off all wage arrears by 1 July. Most back wages are two months overdue. He added that administration officials should ensure timely payments of pensions and debts for workers at power companies, Tatar television reported.
Baby Food To Be Produced In Tatarstan
Tatarstan's prime minister, Rustam Minnikhanov, said on 1 April that baby food will be produced in Tatarstan so that the republic's consumption can be fully satisfied. Minnikhanov made his comments during a visit to the Yeshel Uzen dairy plant. The equipment needed to produce seven kinds of baby food will be in operation soon, he said. Minnikhanov said the project is being financed mainly by the federal budget, though partly with republican funds.
Educational And Cultural Conditions of Tatars In Samara To Be Discussed
Representatives from Tatar public organizations will meet with officials in Samara to discuss the educational and cultural situation for Tatars living in the Samara region, Tatar-inform reported. The meeting will include the executive committee of the Tatars' World Congress, officials from the Kazan branch of the Tatar Public Center, and Samaran leaders and will be held on 9 April in Kazan. The participants will consider the implementation of agreements on training Tatars in their native language and cultural cooperation under the terms of an agreement signed by the Education and Culture Ministries of Tatarstan and the Education and Culture Boards of the Samara region.
Tatar Students To Study At Turkish Universities
The Turkish government has allocated 35 grants for high school graduates in Tatarstan to study at various universities in Turkey. Those wishing to study in Turkey must pass a competitive examination to be offered on 25 April in Kazan. In June, the Turkish consulate-general in Kazan will also hold a selection examination for fee-paying students hoping to be accepted into Turkish universities, Tatar-inform reported.
Party For Women's Defense Opens Branch In Tatarstan
Representatives of the Party for Women's Defense arrived in Kazan on 1 April to open a regional branch in the republic, Tatar television reported. The party was founded last summer on the basis of the Russian political movement Women for Russia's Future.
KamAZ To Participate In Leipzig Fair
Tatarstan's KamAZ rally racing truck will be exhibited at a fair in Leipzig, Germany from 10-18 April, Tatar radio reported. This is the first time KamAZ has participated in the Leipzig fair. Costs for transporting the truck to Germany will be partly paid by the organizers of the fair. The KamAZ exhibition will be led by Firdeves Kabirov, the world rally racing champion from Tatarstan.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova