3 May 2005
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Youth Movement Uses Orange Ribbons To Protest Planned Army Reform
Russia's "Pora!" youth movement on 3 May distributed orange ribbons to students from Kazan State University, Kazan State Technological University and the Tatar-American Regional Institute to promote their protest again proposed army service reforms, REGNUM reported the same day. "Pora!" says it is protesting a potential move by the Russian government to boost army conscription by canceling the standard exemption from service for university and people with children under 3 years of age.
Environmental Service Reports Rising Levels in Rivers, Water Reserve
The springtime rise in water levels has cause the Kuybishev water reserve near Alabuga to increase by 64 centimeters, although it would need to rise by 43 more centimeters before the situation became critical, Intertat reported on 2 May. Tatarstan's board of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring, cited by Intertat, smaller rivers in the republic are already seeing a decline in water levels. The current hike is continuing only at the Vyatka River and the Kuybishev water reserve.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Terrorist Act Averted In Ufa
A handmade explosive device placed under a high-voltage power line in Ufa was deactivated seven minutes before its timer was set to go off on 30 April, REGNUM reported. The device, which was disarmed by an OMON special police task force, reportedly might have cut of the electricity supply to the entire south section of the Bashkir capital. According to the Bashkir Interior Ministry's press service on 2 May, vigilance measures had been stepped up after police were warned about the possibility of terrorist acts timed to coincide with this year's May holidays.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi