14 October 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Operation Whirlwind Against Terrorism In Tatarstan
Tatarstan's interior minister, Asgat Safarov, commented on 13 October on the results of Operation Whirlwind--aimed at preventing possible terrorist acts in Tatarstan. Safarov said that since the start of the operation, the crime detection rate rose by more than 30 percent in Tatarstan. According to Safarov, "anti-terrorist efforts in Tatarstan helped to uncover more cases of drug trafficking and [led to the] confiscation of more firearms." [Rising by 37 percent and 5 percent, respectively].
Iran To Test Tatar-Made Aircraft
Tatarstan's first deputy minister of economics and industry, Anvar Karim, told Tatarinform agency on 13 October that the new Tu-214 passenger aircraft developed by the Kazan Aircraft Plant will take test flights in the United Arab Emirates and Iran later this month. Karimov said that the tests "were organized on the request of a possible buyer from Iran."
Memorial Day To Be Held On 15 October
The Tatar Public Center announced on 13 October that it would hold a memorial meeting on the 447th anniversary of the conquest of the Kazan Khanate by the troops of Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The meeting is to take place on 15 October and will be devoted to the memory of Kazan's defenders.
Tatarstan's President In Moscow, Helsinki
Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiev, attended a meeting of the Otechestvo--Vsya Rossia election bloc's Political Board on 12 October, the republican press reported the same day. After taking part in a session of the Russian Federation Council on 13 October, Shaimiev left for Finland.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi