23 April 2001
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Iraqi Vice President In Tatarstan
Iraqi Vice President Takha Yasin Ramadan while in Tatarstan on 20-21 April visited Tatneft branches in Elmet and Bogelme, Tatar-inform reported. Acting Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov told RIA-Novosti that the Iraqi delegation visit had been "fruitful and useful" and that "the Iraqi guests have been convinced that Tatneft is ready to cooperate with Iraq." He said that "relations between Tatarstan and Iraq are now at the beginning stage but the current visit is expected to promote further cooperation."
Nizhnekamskneftekhim Holds Shareholders Meeting
Tuben Kama petrochemical company general manager Vladimir Busygin on 20 April told its annual meeting that the company's production had grown by 7.7 percent to 18 billion rubles and its profit had totaled 5 billion rubles over the last year.
Government Concerned about Tatarstan Militiamen Serving in Chechnya...
Acting First Deputy Prime Minister Ravil Muratov and acting Interior Minister Asgat Safarov on 21 April left for Chechnya to deliver humanitarian aid for Tatarstan militiamen serving there as well as to residents of Gudermes district, "Vechernyaya Kazan" reported.
...And TPC Unhappy with Tatarstan Militiamen Chechen Trip...
The Tatar Public Center on 20 April staged a demonstration against sending Tatarstan interior ministry workers to Chechnya, Efir-inform reported. Participants adopted a resolution calling on authorities to help the Chechen people to arrange peaceful life.
...But No Tatarstan Draftees Now Serving in Chechnya
Tatarstan Commissioner Rim Mustaev on 20 April said that not a single Tatarstan draftee is now surviving in Chechnya, in contrast to the 4,000 who served there in 1995-96.
Duma Moves Provoke More Reactions
Vladimir Glukhonkov, the chairman of the Unity in Kazan executive committee, told "Vremya i dengi" on 20 April that the unification plan had come as "a great surprise" to him. He added that he believes such important decisions should be taken only after a discussion with members. He said that the ostensible reason for the merger -- backing the Kremlin's position -- was in conflict with democratic principles in which parliamentarians represent their constituencies.
Icon Exhibit Marks Lenin's Birthday
The Kazan Ulyanov house-museum arranged an exhibit of icons to mark Lenin's 131st birthday, "Respublika Tatarstan" reported on 20 April. Meanwhile, a poll showed that 29 percent of Tatarstan residents believe that Lenin tried to improve the conditions of people in Russia while 5 percent said he was an evil genius, "Vostochny ekspress" reported the same day.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Federal Inspector Meets Federal Bodies Local Staff...
Chief Federal Inspector in Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov on 20 April told the local boards of federal bodies that a personnel shake-up is being prepared and that proposals have already been passed to the presidential administration. He said the fact that federal bodies in the republic are subordinate to local authorities and government "is a good and bad thing at the same time" and that vertical power must be completely restored.
...And with Mufti
Chief Federal Inspector in Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov met with Mufti Talgat Tadguddin to discuss preparations for the Russian-wide conference Islam and Christianity on the threshold of the millennium due to be held in Ufa, the Volga District press service reported on 20 April.
Tatarstan Deputies Visit Ufa
State Council secretary Valentina Lipuzhina led a delegation of parliamentarians on a visit to Ufa on 18-20 April to meet with their opposite numbers, Bashinform reported.
Deputy Premier Says 63 Percent of Companies are Profitable
Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Sigakov on 20 April said that only 37 percent of companies in the republic are unprofitable, Bashinform reported.
Neftekamsk Leads Computerization
Neftekamsk Mayor Igor Lim on 20 April said that his city's schools lead the republic in the computerization of education.
Unity Members Back Merger
Unity members in Bashkortostan on 20 April gathering in Sterletamaq approved the merger with Fatherland, Bashinform reported. They said that the move is "a strong and active contribution to the consolidation of the society and strengthening of statehood."
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova