1 September 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Tatar President Doesn't Want Job In Moscow
Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiev, in response to rumors that he was interested in working for the federal government in Moscow, said he would never leave Tatarstan for a job anywhere else. Shaimiev made his comments in Kazan during a celebration of the Day of the Republic on 30 August. He said "I was suggested [as a candidate for] different portfolios in Moscow [since I was] 30 years old." Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov, who also participated in the festivities, said that the political bloc Fatherland--All Russia is trying to secure a constructive majority in the Duma, as the current State Duma doesn't satisfy its constituents. Luzhkov added "we have come to see our friends, our brothers, so that we could state that we are united in our wish to work together."
Finnish Trade Delegation Visits Tatarstan
A delegation from the Foreign Trade and Industry Department of Finland is on a visit to Tatarstan to develop economic cooperation, Tatar Television reported. The visitors held negotiations in Tatarstan's Trade and Economic Cooperation Ministry on 31 August devoted to the organization of an exhibition titled "Fin-Business-2000" to be held next year in Kazan. Energy conservation, telecommunications, timber, and tourism were considered the most prospective directions of cooperation.
Finland is one of Tatarstan's top ten main trade and economic partners. The republic exports chemical products, oil and fuel resources to Finland, and imports communication supplies from the Scandinavian country.
Tatarstan And Chelyabinsk To Sign Cooperation Agreement
Tatarstan's permanent representative in the Ural region, Ravil Bikbov, discussed the prospects of signing a cooperation agreement between Tatarstan and the Chelyabinsk oblast during his 30 August visit to Chelyabinsk, Bashinform reported. According to the agreement, Tatarstan would deliver petrochemicals, aircraft, and cars to the Chelyabinsk oblast and would receive metal, cement, and marble in return. Chelyabinsk is home to some 250,000 ethnic Tatars.
Pensions To Be Raised In Tatarstan
The head of the Russian Pension Fund's Tatarstan branch, Airat Shafigullin, said that pensions in Tatarstan will be raised in November by 15 percent. Shafigullin told a press conference on 31 August that the fund has repaid all debts to Tatarstan's pensioners. He said that in the first half of 1999 the collection of the pension tax increased by about 105 percent compared to the previous year.
Offical From Tatarstan Killed In Moscow
Aidar Israfilov, an Alabuga municipal council deputy from Tatarstan, was killed in Moscow, Tatar Television reported on 31 August. No other details are available. A special squad has been organized in the Russian capital to investigate the murder.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova