9 February 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Tatar Officials Send Condolences To Jordanians
President Mintimer Shaimiev and the State Council chairman, Farid Mukhametshin, sent telegrams on 8 February extending their condolences to Jordanians in the death of King Hussein. In 1997, Mukhametshin, then the prime minister, met with Hussein in Amman during a visit to Jordan. Mukhametshin said in an interview with Tatar television on 8 February that Hussein introduced Tatarstan to his neighbors as a developed Russian republic with great potential and experience in oil-extraction, and moved our projects in Middle Eastern markets. Mukhametshin has twice -- in 1995 and 1997 -- with the new king of Jordan, Abdulla, at arms exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates.
Moscow And Kazan To Sign Interbudget Agreement
Delegations from Tatarstan and the Russian Federation meet on 9 February in Moscow to sign the 1999 interbudget agreement. Tatarstan's delegation is led by Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov, while the Russian side is headed by First Deputy Premier Vadim Gustov. The republic's State Council chairman, Farid Mukhametshin, said in an interview with Tatar television that "we will manage, I'm sure, to prove that the basis for the security that has been achieved in Tatarstan will be maintained regardless of the budget that Moscow adopts." He added that "we based our budget on the bilateral treaty and interbudget agreement, and we are not going to go back on it." The current interbudget agreement between Tatarstan and Russia expires on 15 February.
Turkish Consul Held Reception To Boost Ties
The Turkish consul-general in Tatarstan, Akhmet Reza Demirer, held a reception on 5 February for business representatives and artistic intelligentsia in the republic. In addressing the gathering, Demirer emphasized that he would aim his efforts at strengthening relations between Tatars and Turks, and developing political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Demirer replaced his predecessor on the post four months ago.
Fee To Be Charged In Privatization Of Homes
Tatarstan's State Property Committee chairman, Damir Bikbov, said in an interview with Tatar radio that a fee for privatizing a home will be introduced in the republic in the near future. According to the new terms of privatization being developed by the committee, only poor people will have the right to free housing, while those whose income is over a certain level will have to buy their homes in monthly installments. Apartments that were constructed before the new legislation comes into effect will not be subject to the new regulations. Up to now more than 60 percent of all publicly owned homes in Tatarstan have been privatized.
KamAZ To Develop Cooperation With Transneft
A scientific conference will be held this week in Chally to develop cooperation between the KamAZ truck concern and Russia's oil transport company Transneft. Some 30 directors and specialists from Transneft are expected to take part. Prospects for the development of new technologies for Transneft in conjunction with KamAZ, and a program to extend cooperation will be discussed, Tatar radio reports. KamAZ signed an agreement on cooperation with Transneft last year.
Insulin Not Available In Chally
Chally medical centers have stopped giving insulin to diabetics, Tatar-inform reports. Neither drug stores nor hospitals in the city have any reserves of the crucial medicine. An insulin purchase of 200,000 rubles was made in December, but the city has monthly needs of some 2 million rubles worth of insulin. City officials in charge of health protection are now negotiating the possibility of barter payments for the medicine. In December, the Danish company New Nordex made a charitable delivery of insulin and syringes to diabetics in Chally.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova