29 October 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Premier Worried About Cellular Network
Tatarstan's prime minister, Rustam Minnikhanov, discussed cooperation prospects with Ericsson Communication President Per Olaf Shostedt and Vice President Eddy Oman in Kazan on 27 October, Tatar-inform reported. Tatarstan's cellular network producer, TAIF, signed a contract with Ericsson which has been in effect in the republic since March 1998. TAIF's general manager, Albert Shigabutdinov, is quoted as saying that a cellular network will be put into operation in the republic's southern districts by the end of the year. Ericsson's specialists said that 100,000 more users will appear by next August.
Delegation From Tatarstan Visits France
A delegation from Tatarstan led by Deputy Trade and Economic Cooperation Minister Rinat Urazayev visited France to discuss the possibility of increasing exports from Tatarstan's defense industry, the "Vremya i Dengi" daily reported on 28 October. Tatarstan's delegation visited the Economics, Finance and Industry, Transport, and Defense Ministries in Paris and discussed cooperation prospects with representatives of French companies. A presentation on Tatarstan and its economic and investment conditions was organized within during the visit. An agreement was concluded between the French GIAT company and the Kazan Helicopter Plant on cooperation aimed at increasing the export of the plant's production.
Presidential Advisor On Tatarstan's Right-Centrist Position
Rafail Khakimov, the state advisor to Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev, said that "our right-centrist position doesn't mean that we'll join the right political forces headed by [Anatolii] Chubais, [Sergei] Kirienko, [Boris] Nemtsov, and [Anna] Khakamada." Khakimov made his comments in an interview with Tatar-inform on 28 October. Khakimov, who is one of the initiators of the Tatarstan-New Century (Tatarstan-Novyi Vek) political movement, commented on the "right-center position"--to be occupied by Tatarstan--a statement made by Shaimiev at the second congress of the movement last weekend. In Khakimov's opinion, Shaimiev's comments relate to economic issues but not to political issues, particularly interethnic or interconfessional relations, in which Tatarstan adheres to a strictly centrist position.
Tatneft Managers Board Discuss Development Project
A draft project to develop Tatarstan's oil and gas industry through 2015 was discussed at a meeting of the Tatneft oil company's board of managers on 28 October, Tatar Television reported. It was decided that the project should be revised. The performance of Tatneft's September budget and draft budget for November were also on the agenda. The meeting was attended by the Tatneft Managers Board chairman, Tatar Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova