20 May 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Shaimiev Approves Of Stepashin...
Russian President Boris Yeltsin met with Tatarstan's President Mintimer Shaimiev in Moscow on 19 May, Yeltsin's press service reported. The Russian president's spokesman, Dmitrii Yakushkin, told Interfax that the two discussed a "wide range of issues." Shaimiev reportedly informed Yeltsin about preparations for the founding congress of the Vsya Rossia movement, planned for St. Petersburg on 22 May. Yakushkin said Shaimiev told Yeltsin he "supported the new [Premier Sergei] Stepashin-[First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai] Aksenenko tandem" in the Russian government. "These two make a good team, they complement each other," Shaimiev said.
...Meets With Russian Officials
President Shaimiev met with new Russian Premier Sergei Stepashin, Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov, former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Kirienko, LukOil President Vladimir Alekperov, and other top officials during his visit to Moscow on 19 May, Tatarinform reported. The same day, Shaimiev met with the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, John Collins, to discuss economic and political developments in Russia. Later, Shaimiev met with Gazprom head Rem Vyakhirev to discuss possible the cooperation of Gazprom with oil, gas, and chemical industries in Tatarstan.
Ak Bars Bank Seeks To Increase Capital
The chairman of the Ak Bars Bank, Mudaris Idrisov, held a press conference on 19 May to announce that since the bank became an authorized agent of Tatarstan's government, Ak Bars was seeking to increase its registered capital from 2 to 5 billion rubles by attracting foreign investors. He also said that Ak Bars would merge with Interkamabank to ensure long-term strategic cooperation.
Tatarstan's PM Visits KamAZ
Tatar Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov visited Chally on 18 May, state radio reported. During his visit, Minnikhanov met with various departments of the KamAZ automotive works. He said the republican government was interested in the goings on at KamAZ and that such visits would be made quarterly.
Gazprom Officials In Kazan
More than 50 officials from Gazprom's Mezhregiongaz company visited Kazan on 19 May, Tatarinform reported. The delegation will attend a scientific conference on developing Gazprom software and hardware for the management of communications and production. ICL-Kazan Computer Systems is holding the conference, and has four years experience of cooperation with Gazprom.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi