21 February 2001
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Land Code Pushes Back Consideration of Shaimiev Power-Sharing Draft
Tatar presidential advisor Rafael Khakimov told strana.ru on 20 February that the draft federal power-sharing concept prepared by President Mintimer Shaimiev will be considered later so that this week's State Council session can focus on the federal land code. On 20 February, Russian NTV channel cited a source in Russian government as saying that the delay was in fact caused by Moscow's unhappiness with Shaimiev's draft.
Moscow Acknowledges Belated Approach to Harmonization
In his interview with Tatarinform on 20 February Russian general prosecutor Vladimir Ustinov agreed with that the prosecutors "should have reacted to the lack of conformity of regional laws to federal ones" a decade ago, when legislation process began.
Pro-Kremlin Unity Pledges Support To Shaimiev�s Candidacy
Deputy presidium chairman of the pro-Kremlin Unity party political council Yevgeny Trofimov said in Kazan on 20 February that his party would support President Mintimer Shaimiev for reelection. He further predicted that Shaimiev would win with no fewer than 60 percent of the votes.
Tatar Banks Seek Bigger Share In Flour Monopolies
Tatarstan's Agrarian-Industrial bank, Ak Bars Bank and Tatfondbank are seeking to buy state-owned shares in the two republic flour monopolies, the Tatar press reported on 21 February.
Tatneft Increases Ties with Iraq
The Tatneft Oil Company is preparing to ship oil drilling equipment to Iraq and to send experts to help install 45 oil wells for Iraq's North Oil Company, Tatarinform reported on 20 February. The actions take place within UN-approved limits.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Rakhimov Names Kidrasov as State Secretary
President Murtaza Rakhimov formally appointed former deputy chief of presidential staff Faukat Kidrasov as Bashkortostan state secretary on 20 February. In his new capacity, Kidrasov will be in charge of state ideology and foreign affairs. In early 2000, Russian media had suggested that this post would be abolished because it does not conform to federal laws. It had been empty for six months.
Bashkir Parliament To Meet on Harmonization
The Legislative Chamber of State Assembly on 22 February will consider the newly-harmonized Constitutional Court Act, Traffic Safety Code, Fire Safety Code, Bashkortostan's International Treaties Act, Precious Stones And Metals Act, Natural Resources Code and the Water Reserve Code in the third reading, RegTime.ru reported on 20 February.
Per-Minute Telephone Fees System Extended
Sterlitamak will become the second Bashkortostan city with per-minute telephone charges, Bashinform reported on 20 February. Bashinformsvyaz deputy director Petr Kvashnin told the agency that the new system of telephone charges would cover the entire republic by 2003.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi