28 September 2005
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Tatar Public Center Head Questions Putin's Call-In Show
Telget Bariev, chairman of the moderate nationalist Tatar Public Center, told RFE/RL's Kazan bureau on 27 September that he considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual call-in TV show to be only a "PR event." Bariev said it was aimed at boosting the president's ratings, which have slumped due to his handling of the Beslan tragedy and other issues. Bariev said that in real life Putin's "actions were not in line with his words."
Moody's Gives Tatarstan Top Credit Rating
Moody's Investors Service has given Tatarstan a Ba1 credit rating, the agency's Vice President Ilona Dmitrieva told reporters following her meeting with Tatar Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation Khafiz Salikhov on 27 September, "Kommersant" reported the following day. Dmitrieva emphasized that the rating was the highest to be given to regions within a federal state. Meanwhile, according to the republic's Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation, Tatarstan will seek to upgrade its attractiveness for potential investors by obtaining an investment rating rather than the current credit rating.
Tatar Athlete Wins Gold Medal At Islamic Olympics
Elena Migunova, an athlete from Tatarstan, has won a gold medal at the International Islamic Women's Games in Tehran, the press service of Tatarstan's Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports, and Tourism announced on 27 September. Migunova won the 400 meters event.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Government Appoints Representatives To Leading Companies
The Bashkir government has chosen its representatives for the boards of the republic's leading companies, "Moskovskii komsomolets v Ufe" reported on 27 September. A corresponding resolution was signed by Prime Minister Rafael Baidavletov, who himself will represent the government on the boards of the UralSib bank, the Ufa Engine-Building Plant, and the Yumaguzy water reservoir. Bashkortostan's plenipotentiary representative Albert Kharisov was charged with similar duties for the Kaustik and Kauchuk companies. Property Relations Minister Rail Sarbaev will be on the boards of Bashinformsvyaz, the Bashkir Copper-Sulfur Plant, the UralSib bank, and the Yumaguzy water reservoir.
Arms Storage Found In Ufa
An arms depot has been discovered in Ufa's Dema Raion, an RFE/RL Ufa correspondent reported on 27 September, citing the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's Chief Directorate in Bashkortostan. Detonators, bomb-making materials, small arms, and gunpowder were all found. A criminal case has been filed.
50,000 Support KPRF Referendum In Bashkortostan
Some 50,000 Bashkir residents have taken part in the People's Referendum action organized by the Communist Party's branch in the republic, Bashinform reported on 27 September. The action was launched in the republic as of 1 September. According to KPRF Central Committee First Deputy Chairman Ivan Melnikov, over 3 million people have voted in the referendum across Russia.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova