30 November 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Shaimiev Attends Kuchma's Inauguration
Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiev, left Kazan for Kyiv on 29 November to attend the inauguration ceremony of newly re-elected Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, Tatar media reported. The same day, Shaimiev met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Valeriy Pustovoytenko. The two discussed bilateral economic relations, the press center for Shaimiev reported. First Deputy Prime Minister Ravil Muratov is a member of Tatarstan's delegation.
Tatar Official On Camdessus's Comments About Chechen War
Rafail Khakimov, the state adviser to Tatar President Shaimiev, said on 29 November that the IMF's financial support of Russia while Moscow conducts a war on its own territory hurts the fund's reputation. Khakimov made his comments in an interview with Tatar-inform in response to comments made by IMF Managing Director Michel Camdessus, who said that Russia has hurt its image in the eyes of the West because of the war in Chechnya. Khakimov said there is good reason for the IMF to be concerned by this possibility because some in the West may think the financial credits going to Moscow are being used to fund the Chechen war. Speaking about Russian military actions in Chechnya, Khakimov said that even if Russian troops occupy the entire republic the issue will still not be solved. Khakimov asked "will this people that endured the 1944 genocide and two wars within Russia really have confidence in the federal authority and dream about a life within the framework of Russia?" He said military actions in Chechnya were started without a basic political decision being made.
Stepashin Visits Kazan
Former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin met with Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev during a visit to Kazan on 29 November, Tatar Radio reported. The two discussed the issue of information wars being broadcast and on the possible future cooperation of Duma deputies from Yabloko and those from the All Russia movement, which is informally headed by Shaimiev. Stepashin, who is second on Yabloko's candidate list, is convinced that the Fatherland, All Russia, and Agrarians movements, which currently are united under the Fatherland-All Russia bloc, will form separate factions within the Duma after the 19 December elections. Stepashin held a meeting with Interior Ministry employees to discuss corruption in Tatarstan. Stepashin also visited the Gorbunov air plant to meet with voters.
Shoigu's Airplane Breaks Down In Kazan
Tatar-inform reported on 29 November that the An-74 airplane carrying the minister of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, failed on 26 November to leave Kazan because of technical defects. Shoigu is the leader of the election bloc Unity (Yedinstvo). The plane reportedly suffered the problems after landing in Kazan. Shoigu flew out of Kazan on another plane--which was sent from Moscow--on 27 November.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova