5 May 2003
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Russian-Spanish Conference To Discuss Federalism
A Russian-Spanish scientific conference titled "Decentralization of State Authority in Spain and the Federalization Of Russia: the Experience of Comparative Study" begins in Kazan on 5 May, intertat.ru reported the previous day. Scholars from Spain and Russia, studying the problems of state systems, federalism, interethnic relations, and socio-linguistics will gather for the forum organized by the Kazan Institute of Federalism and supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The legal principles of regional authorities, including constitutions, charters, statutes of entities, power-sharing, and relations between central and regional authorities will also be on the agenda.
53 Young Families Move To New Apartments In Chally
Fifty-three young families on 30 April moved into new apartments in Chally as part of a government-run housing program for young people, intertat.ru reported on 1 May. Some 280 young families in Chally have received apartments within the framework of the program launched in 1999. The families cover 30 percent of the apartment's costs before they move in; after the births of their first children the payments are reduced.
Cable Television Network Established In Chally
A state-run cable television network was launched in Chally on 29 April, Tatar-inform reported on 30 April. Chally residents can now receive 30 channels, including Eurosport, Euronews, and Discovery, instead of the five channels they received previously. The network, which can provide coverage for 40,000 subscribers, currently provides service for 10,000 people. The project is being managed by the state-owned Radioteleset.
Tatar Companies Fined For Violations Of Stock Market Rules
The Tatar directorate of the Federal Commission on Security Markets imposed a 293,000 ruble ($9,400) fine on 13 Tatar companies for stock market violations, regnum.ru reported on 2 May. Violations include non-disclosure of information or failure to distribute it in due time. Among the penalized companies are the metal-processing company, Vtormet, Trade House Tatarstan, the Tetyushi meat processing and packing factory, and the Tukayevskaya poultry factory.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Government Agency Defends Tajetdin's Declaration Of Jihad Against America
In a 30 April report Bashkortostan's official information agency, Bashinform, speculated that Rawyl Gaynetdin, head of Russia's Council of Muftis, "openly used the 3 April declaration of jihad against the United States by Telget Tajetdin [chairman of Russia's Central Muslim Religious Board, based in Ufa] for undermining the latter's reputation in the Islamic world" (see "RFE/RL Tatar-Bashkir Report," 4, 7, 8, 10 April 2003). The report -- titled "Telget Tajetdin: Extremist or Reformist Mufti?" -- touts Tajetdin as an active defender of Russia's Muslims from "extremist missionaries from the Middle East" and a supporter of "traditional confessions all over the world." Bashinform wrote that "taking into account Tajetdin's loyalty to the Russian authorities, one may presume that his effervescent activities and his personality are more suitable for the Kremlin than the head of Russia's Council of Muftis, Gaynetdin. We think that after a short while this [jihad] scandal will calm down and the [Russian] authorities will thank Tajetdin for his statement, by which he covered up the Kremlin's official policies."
Dismissed Tax Minister Still Not Back At Work
Although Reshit Sattarov, head of the Russian Taxation Ministry's Bashkir Directorate, was reinstated to his position by Ufa's Lenin district court on 25 March, he has still not returned to work, an RFE/RL Ufa correspondent reported yesterday. Sattarov was originally dismissed by Russian Tax Minister Gennadii Bukaev for "failing to carry out his duties and violating the federal law on the principles of state service," (see "RFE/RL Tatar-Bashkir Report," 27 March, 2 May 2003). Under federal regulations, Bukaev must authorize the court's decision before Sattarov returns to work.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi