3 April 2001
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Shaimiev Outlines Expectations on Putin Address
President Mintimer Shaimiev said in an interview published by Tatar press on 3 April that regional leaders expect President Vladimir Putin to discuss his economic program for the future and to say just how much the state will be involved in that process.
Inauguration Date Set
Tatarstan's State Council has set 12 April as the date for Mintimir Shaimiev's third inaugural, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported.
Shaimiev Greeted on his Victory
Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Tatarstan's president-elect Mintimer Shaimiev "to pass his warmest greetings with the latter's convincing victory in presidential elections", Tatarinform reported on 2 April. In addition, Shaimiev received over 500 other messages from around the world after his re-election as Tatarstan president.
Some Industries Cutting Back Despite Growth
Kazan city economic committee chairman Boris Pavlov said on 2 April that despite the 4% production growth in Tatarstan's capital over the last year, some major industrial firms are reducing production and may drop some employees. And that in turn is harming city revenues, he said.
Many Tatars Suffering from Depression
According to the Tatarstan's psycho-neurology doctors on 2 April, more than 60% of the republic's population have mental problems linked to depression.
Tatarstan, Slovakia Seek to Boost Trade
Tatar Minister of Trade and International Cooperation Khafiz Salikhov met Slovak deputy minister of economy Panik Voytekh on 2 April in Kazan to discuss boosting trade ties.
Tatneft Increases Output
The Tatneft Oil is producing five percent more oil so far this year compared to the same period a year ago, "Vremya i Dengi" reported on 3 April.
Section of Kazan Already Flooded
The Savinovo region of Kazan's suburbs is already flooded although conditions elsewhere are still under control, Tatarstan television reported on 2 April. Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov has urged the Russian natural resources ministry to raise the water lever in the Tuben Kama reservoir to avoid more flooding, "Vechernyaya Kazan" reported on 3 April.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Parliamentary Speaker Praises 1992 Treaty With Moscow
On the ninth anniversary of the federative treaty with Moscow, State Assembly Speaker Konstantin Tolkachev told aromi.ru agency on 2 April that "that treaty had laid down the principles of federal relations in Russia." He added that it remains the legal and political foundation "on which our legislation is based."
Only One Refugee in Four has Legal Status
Only 12,000 of the 50,000 refugees in Bashkortostan have legal status and can apply for assistance and loans, the local representation of the Russian ministry of Federation Affairs, Nationality and Migration Policy announced on 2 April. Most of the refugees come from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the ministry said. But only 1100 of the refugees arrived in 2000.
Tatar Public Center Discusses Tatar Rights in Bashkortostan
The Tatar Public Center in Bashkortostan sharply criticized the Bashkir government for limiting Tatar rights and spoke against forcible bashkortization of different ethnic groups when the TPC met on 31 March, an RFE/RL correspondent reported from Ufa.
Belorussia to Expand Trade with Bashkortostan
Prime Minister Rafael Baydavletov met Belorussian Embassy officials to discuss increasing economic cooperation between the two republics, Bashinform reported on 2 April.
Land Census Discussed
The heads of Bashkortostan regional land committees are to gather in Sterlitamak on 3 April to discuss the issues of land census and controlling the use of agricultural lands, Bashinform reported.
State to Give Newborns Special Gifts
The Bashkir government plans to begin distributing special gifts to newborn babies as of 1 July 2001, aromi.ru reported.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi