14 June 2005
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Shaimiev Meets With Ukrainian President
Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev met in Kyiv on 10 June with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported on 13 June. The men discussed the situation concerning the Ukrtatnafta joint venture's ownership in the Kremenchug oil refinery. Shaimiev said following the talks that the company's capital will be adjusted. Shaimiev also said the Ukrainian side has "reasonable claims" regarding the delivery of oil to Kremenchug in agreed volumes and raised the issue of the sides' parity participation in oil production and processing. Tatar First Deputy Prime Minister Rawil Moratov and Tatneft General Director Shefeget Takhawetdinov took part in the meeting.
Youth Group Signals No Tolerance For 'Orange Revolutions,' Alcohol
Activists from Tatarstan's political youth movement known as "We" staged a protest in downtown Kazan on 12 June to oppose any "orange revolutions" in Russia, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported on 13 June. The movement's leader, Artur Konyshev, told RFE/RL's Kazan bureau that the movement considers the Pora movement and the National Bolshevik Party that is headed by Eduard Limonov its opponents. Konyshev added that his movement does not consider the recently established Moscow-based Nashi youth movement headed by Aleksandr Yakemenko its ally as well.
According to Interfax-Povolzhe and Tatarinform the same day, more than 800 participants in the meeting promoted entertainment without drinking beer. A concert, sport events, and free distribution of kvas, a fermented-bread drink, were held at the square near the Tatar Kamal Theater. The event was organized by the Tatar Youth and Sport Affairs Ministry.
...As Pensioners Protest Growing Transport Tariffs
Some 50 pensioners participated in a meeting near the Tatar Kamal Theater in Kazan on 13 June to protest increases in public-transport fares, Ekho Moskvy reported the same day. Transportation tariffs will be increased by 2 to 3 rubles, or 20-40 percent, from 15 June.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova
DAILY REVIEW FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Rakhimov Awards Famous Rock Singer
Bashkir President Murtaza Rakhimov gave a certificate and Bashkortostan's People's Actor medal to Yurii Shevchuk of the well-known rock group DDT, Interfax-Povolzhe reported on 12 June. Rakhimov signed a decree to award Shevchuk "for his great merits in developing musical art and high performing skill."
Shevchuk was born in Ufa and left the Bashkir capital for St. Petersburg in the wake of persecution by republican authorities in the 1980s.
Tatar Organizations Prepare For Tatar Congress
Bashkortostan's union of Tatar civic groups discussed at a 10 June meeting in Ufa preparations for the congress of Bashkortostan's Tatars due to be held on 22 June in Ufa, an RFE/RL Ufa correspondent reported the same day. Union deputy head Mejit Khujin informed the gathering that no response has been received from the republican authorities to the union's request for premises to hold the congress. Khujin said the forum organizers sent another letter to President Rakhimov and informed federal authorities of the issue. The meeting participants called for publishing several issues of independent newspapers such as "Halyq ihtiyary" covering the issues of Bashkortostan's Tatars on the eve of the congress.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova