27 July 2000
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Putin Receives Tatar President
Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on 25 July with Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev, Tatar-inform reported. The agency said that during the long talks they discussed political processes in Russia, including recent legislative initiatives by Putin and the government. Tatarstan's foreign economic activity and preparations for the 1000th anniversary of Kazan were also discussed. The same day, Shaimiev met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov to discuss protocols signed during Klebanov's recent visit to Kazan.
Shaimiev's Adviser On Tatarstan's Sovereignty
Rafail Khakimov, a state adviser to Tatar President Shaimiev, said that Tatarstan's sovereignty declaration a decade ago was an outstanding event that not only affected the development of the republic but also the situation in Russia as a whole. Khakimov made his comments in an interview with Tatar-inform on 26 July. As for Tatarstan itself, Khakimov said, the greatest success during the last 10 years was achieved in the cultural sphere. He said "we not only created conditions" for the revival of the Tatar language, the development of culture and national education, and mass media, but also laid the foundations for forming a multiethnic society in which a balance of cultures, languages, and religions is being kept. He stressed that this fact is especially important in the present situation while the war in Chechnya continues. Khakimov said that since the adoption of the declaration of sovereignty, a very stable political situation formed in the republic, adding that there are no conflicts in Tatarstan and the society is calm compared to other multiethnic regions of the world. He considers an indisputable achievement the fact that Tatarstan has managed to build stable relations with Moscow. He said he doubted that recent centralization initiatives from Putin and his team will shake these solid relations.
Premier Gets Adviser On Military Cooperation
The representative of the Russian state arms exporting company Rosvooruzheniye, Mikhail Tikhonov, was appointed a non-staff adviser on military technical cooperation to Tatar Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatar-inform reported on 26 July. Minnikhanov signed an order on Tikhonov's nomination on 24 July. Tikhonov told the news agency that the new post extends his sphere of activity and increases his responsibility.
Tatar Helicopter Displayed At Farnboro Air Show
The Tatarstan-produced MI-17 helicopter was exhibited at the Farnboro International-2000 air show, Tatar-inform reported on 26 July. The helicopter, which is made at the Kazan helicopter plant, was recently equipped in Israel with parts produced by Western companies. Russia is represented at the exhibition by 13 air flight companies. Twenty five countries are participating in the show.
By Gulnara Khasanova