11 May 2000
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
State Duma Deputy Comments On Kasyanov Candidacy
A State Duma deputy representing Tatarstan, Farida Gainullina, told the press on 10 May that the OVR Duma faction will support Mikhail Kasyanov for prime minister, as proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. She said "in our opinion, he is the most independent...candidate." Commenting on the new draft Labor Code, she said it is an "ultraliberal labor code which is absolutely inadequate for the current state of labor relations."
Tatneft To Pay Eurobond Interest
Tatarstan's leading oil company, Tatneft, is ready to pay on time the next coupon for its eurobonds, Tatar Radio reported on 10 May. An unnamed official from the company was cited as saying that money for this purpose may be allocated even today. Tatneft issued $300 million worth of eurobonds in 1997 for a five-year term.
Adviser To State Duma Chairman Proposes Kazan As Third Russian Capital
Aleksandr Dugin, an adviser to the State Duma chaiman, said in an interview with Tatar Television on 10 May that Kazan may become the third capital of Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. He said the concept of Kazan as the third capital of Russia includes a project of Euro-Asian integration and promotes Russia's interest in the East rather than in the West and is an "appeal to our Turkic neighbors, co-citizens who are also active creators of the great Russian state, along with the Slavs." He said the project is being seriously discussed in Moscow geopolitical centers and is competing with the idea of moving the Russian parliament to St. Petersburg. He said the Federation Council could be moved to Kazan.
Tatarstan Negotiates Oil Processing Deal In Holland
Tatarstan's prime minister, Rustam Minnikhanov, told Tatar Television on 10 May that the Tatar government will cooperate with the Dutch Lumus company in the construction of an oil processing plant in Tuben Kama and reconstruction of Tatarstan's leading petrochemical enterprise, Nizhnekamskneftekhim. Minnikhanov made his comments on a recent visit to the Netherlands where he spoke at a conference about Tatarstan's experience supporting the country's economy, state management of it, and the politics of taxes. A delegation from Tatarstan that included ministers and company heads visited a Shell oil processing plant and discussed with the Lumus company possible cooperation in the development of a petrochemical complex in Tatarstan.
Tatarstan And Poland Sign Cooperation Agreement
A delegation from Tatarstan's Trade and Economic Cooperation Ministry headed by Minister Khafiz Salikhov visited Poland to discuss cooperation prospects, Tatar-inform reported on 10 May. The two sides signed an agreement on developing economic cooperation. Poland is Tatarstan's fourth largest foreign trade partner.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova