24 February 2003
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Former Ingush Interior Minister Killed In Kazan
The deputy head of the Tatar Interior Ministry's Environmental Directorate and Ingushetia's former interior minister, Colonel Daut Korigov, 38, was killed in Kazan on 21 February, intertat.ru reported the same day. Korigov was shot early in the morning by an unknown person after he his apartment building and died several hours later in a hospital. "Kommersant" on 22 February quoted investigators of the murder as saying that it can be linked to the Ingush period of Korigov's life. According to the daily, in 1998 Korigov was charged with using force against prosecutors' office employees whom policemen prevented on Korigov's orders from entering the prosecutor's office building. After the Ingush Supreme Court cleared Korigov of the charges, the Russian Supreme Court twice annulled it but finally in February 2002 let it stand. Due to the influence of former Ingush President Ruslan Aushev, who supported Korigov during the case, Korigov returned to work in the Interior Ministry and was appointed several months ago to the Tatar directorate.
Turkish Company Promotes Construction Projects In Tatarstan
Meeting with Tatar Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov on 21 February, Turkey's Okan Holding President Bekin Okan said his company plans to invest in Tatarstan's hotel business, construction of sport facilities, and food-processing enterprises, Tatarinform reported the same day. Minnikhanov charged Tatar Construction, Architecture, Housing, and Municipal Services Minister Marat Khosnullin and Youth and Sports Minister Marat Baryev with developing detailed projects with the Turkish side.
Construction Of High-Quality Oil-Refining Complex In Tuben Kama Launched
The Tatar government approved a proposal by Tatneft whereby the oil company will finance and implement a project on construction of a high-quality oil-refining complex at the Tuben Kama Oil Refinery, intertat.ru reported on 22 February. A corresponding government resolution confirmed changes to the project, initially designed by the Swiss ABB Lummus Global Inc., made by the U.S. Foster Wheeler company. Under the new variant, the facility is intended to bring the level of processing Tatarstan's high-sulfur oil at the plant from current 46 percent to 100 percent and to produce raw materials for the republic's petrochemical companies, high-quality oil products, hydrogen, and electric power. Construction of the $1.1 billion complex is scheduled to be finished in 2008.
KamAZ, Tyazhpromeksport Sign Cooperation Agreement
KamAZ General Director Sergei Kogogin and the head of the Tyazhpromeksport foreign economic association signed in Moscow on 21 February an agreement on cooperation and joint participation in a program of the development of KamAZ exports, tatnews.ru reported the same day. The document promotes holding marketing studies to increase exports of the KamAZ and Oka vehicles, establishment of assembly lines abroad, joint participation in tenders, as well as imports of production lines needed by KamAZ.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
President, Public Mark Army Holiday
President Murtaza Rakhimov addressed the people of Bashkortostan on 23 February, Defender of the Fatherland Day, which was known as Red Army Day during the Soviet period, saying: "[Defender of the Fatherland Day] is one of the most respected holidays for [Russian] men of all ages. This holiday is dear to all the citizens of our country...because it expresses the historical traditions of selfless service to the motherland and loyalty to the soldier's duty.
A gathering was held in Ufa's Victory Park and in other locations throughout the Bashkir capital to mark the holiday. Among the dignitaries present at the park festivities were State Assembly Chairman Konstantin Tolkachev, Prime Minister Rafael Baidavletov, and Ufa Mayor Reuf Nogumanov. Students from the local military school and officials from the Tax Police also took part in the event.
Rakhimov Named 'President Of The Year' For 2002
President Rakhimov has been selected to receive the Russian National Olymp award as President of the Year in 2002, RosBalt reported on 22 February. Rakhimov will be given the award at a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow in May. The awards were founded by the Third Millennium Foundation, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian government, the Russian Chamber of Trade and Industry, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the All-Russia Exhibition Center.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi