Tatar-Bashkir Report: February 28, 2001

Tatar President On Regional Cooperation Development
In an interview published by "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" on 27 February, President Mintimir Shaimiev called for expanding inter-regional cooperation "within the existing administrative framework." He said that recently, "sometimes we cooperate more closely with our foreign partners than with our neighbors."

Kazan Questions Legal Basis of Russian Complaints
Alevtina Safronova, who represents Tatarstan in a case brought against it by the Russian prosecutor's office, asked the Tatarstan Supreme Court to consider whether that office has the necessary legal commission to bring protests against Tatarstan's laws.

TPC Gives Conditional Support To Shaimiev
The Tatar Public Center said it would support President Mintimir Shaimiev in the upcoming elections if he defends Tatarstan sovereignty and works to strengthen the republic's economy, Tatarinform reported on 27 February. The TPC said Russian prosecutorial efforts to change Tatarstan's laws represented Moscow's attempt to "destroy Tatar independence."

Shaimiev Sees Aircraft Leasing as a Solution
In his interview with Tatarinform on 27 February, President Mintimer Shaimiev praised the leasing system as a possible solution to the problems of Kazan air industry enterprises. Such a system, he said, could replace the old-fashioned single payment system in use up to now.

Shaimiev Seeks Reorganization of Tatarstan Academy
In his speech to the republic's Academy of Sciences on 27 February , President Mintimir Shaimiev said that the government must provide more assistance to scientists but that the scientists must make their structures more efficient. He called on scholars to work to promote the introduction of the Latin script and also to fight Colorado potato beetles.

Compiled by Iskender Nurmi

Rakhimov Says Regions Must Decide on Sale of Land
President Murtaza Rakhimov told Interfax -Eurasia on 27 February that the free sale of land should be introduced in Russia. "But," he said, "every region must have a right to elaborate its own rules governing such transactions, based its geographic, economical and other characteristics." He said that the sale of non-agricultural land had worked well in Bashkortostan since 1995.

Investment Increases
Investment in Bashkortostan's economy grew by ten percent in 2000, Bashinform reported on 27 February. Foreign investment rose to a total of $320 million for the last decade, most of which is in the form of loans.

Income Gap Between Ufa, Rest of Republic
Residents of Ufa spent 2018 rubles ($700) in retail purchases during 2000, compared to as little as 2000 rubles ($70) by residents in outlying areas, RegTime.ru reported on 27 February.

Winter Snows Seen Leading to Spring Floods
Because snowfall this year significantly exceeded the norm, Ufa's flood commission is planning now for floods this spring, ITAR-TASS reported on 27 February.

Compiled by Iskender Nurmi