25 July 2001
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
UES Denounces Tatenergo, Bashkirenergo Merger Plans
Russia's United Energy Systems press service chief Yuri Melikhov said on 24 July that the planned merger between Tatenergo and Bashkirenergo will fail and represented not a business but a political move in any case. He said they have never been independent of UES and will not be in the future as they remain part of a national power network.
Republic Sends More Taxes to Moscow
Russian Tax Ministry branch chief in Tatarstan Midkhat Shagiakhmetov said on 24 July that 22 billion rubles ($753 million) in taxes have been collected so far in 2001, with the federal center getting more and Kazan less. He noted that 42 percent of the taxes had been collected "by means of forcible measures because of the low discipline of taxpayers."
Alcohol Tax Collections Fall
According to Tatarstan's media on 24 July, republic alcohol producers paid 616 million rubles ($21 million) in taxes so far in 2001, 2.8% of total tax revenues. The decline reflects falling sales by most producers.
Tatar Scholars to Study Local Islam
Islam.ru on 24 July cited Tatarstan Academy of Sciences President Mansur Khasanov as having said that his colleagues are giving top priority to studying local Islam as part of an effort to eliminate stereotypes and prejudices against Muslims.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Russian Prosecutor Says Harmonization Process Not Over in Bashkortostan
The Office of the Russian Prosecutor General said in reply to a Tatar Public Center appeal that the harmonization in the republic is not yet over because the rights of all ethnic groups are not equally protected.
Bashkreditbank to Expand to Urals, Siberia
"Vremya Novostei" reported on 24 July that Bashkreditbank plans to compete with Russia's Sberbank in the Ural and Siberia federal districts by taking over five regional banks there.
Businessmen Fail to Apply for Loans
Bashkortostan�s ministry of foreign affairs and trade announced on 24 July that too few private businesses had applied for loans under the ministry's business support program and called on local government offices to help them apply.
Republic Mining Output Increases
Uchali ores extraction plant produced 1.7 million tons of copper and zinc ores in 2001, Bashinform reported on 24 July.
Cabinet Staff Chief Named
President Murtaza Rakhimov appointed the former head of Khaybullin region Fatikh Kazakbayev chief of Cabinet of Ministers staff on 24 July.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi