25 October 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Tatarstan's Main Polticial Movement Adopts Platform
Tatarstan's leading political movement, Tatarstan -- New Century (Tatarstan -- Novyi Vek) adopted an electoral platform at its second congress in Kazan on 23 October, Tatar Radio and Television reported. Support for domestic manufacturers and a continuation of the democratic reforms are the platform's main principles. Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiev, said while opening the congress that "our slogan is a centrism in both politics and economics." Shaimiev said that today's State Duma will not be able to ensure stability in Russia, and that the Fatherland -- All Russia electoral bloc evokes confidence and promise. Shaimiev called for fair elections.
Shaimiev: Tatarstan Cannot Take Chechen Refugees
Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiev, said Tatarstan is not able to take in and house Chechen refugees. Shaimiev said in an interview with Tatar Radio on 24 October that some 100,000 persons have migrated into Tatarstan from the Commonwealth of Independent States since the collapse of the USSR--some 75 percent of whom are Tatars. Shaimiev said many of them have not yet received accomodation and the republic was not able at this time to accept more refugees. Shaimiev said it would be better to return the refugees to their homes or let them spend the winter in warm regions. Tatarstan's Migration Service has thus far registered 12 families of Chechen refugees. The deputy head of the service, Ildar Abdullin, said in an interview with Tatar Radio that the Russian government still hasn't determined their status.
Tatar, Nigerian Trade Industrial Chambers To Cooperate
Prospects for mutually advantageous relations between Tatarstan and Nigeria and the conclusion of an agreement between the Tatar and Nigerian Trade Industrial Chambers were negotiated during a meeting of Tatarstan's Moscow plenipotentiary representatives and a delegation from the Nigerian Trade Chamber, Tatar-inform reported on 22 October. The talks were held within the frameworks of talks carried out by Russian Trade Industrial Chamber officials and Russian business leaders along with their Nigerian counterparts. Tatarstan's Moscow mission officials reported that the visitors met with the Moscow heads of the KamAZ truck concern.
Modern Runway Constructed At Kazan Airport
A new runway capable of handling all types of heavy aircraft opened at the Kazan airport on 22 October. The aircraft of Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev conducted the first test of the 4 kilometer runway--reportedly among the best in Russia. The runway construction was a part of a complex reconstruction of the airport which included the installation of modern navigation equipment made in France, and a gas station owned by Tatarstan's oil company Tatneft. Reconstruction of the terminal is to begin next year.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova