Crimean news 74

From July 24 till July 28 they held the 18^th session of Working group of UN dealing with issues of native peoples of the World in Geneva. Representatives of Crimean native peoples also took part in it. The Crimean Tatars were represented by a Mejlis member, President of fund of researches and support of native peoples of Crimea, Nadir Bekirov. And the Crimean Karaits* were represented by an activist of "Krymkaraylar" Association, Anna Polkanova.

Experts considered issues of culture, education, lawful situation and problems of discrimination of native peoples in various countries. The session paid a special attention to the situation of youth and children of native peoples.

Our representatives threw light on all the above-mentioned issues during their speeches. They described the situation of Crimean Tatars and Karaits in Crimea and Ukraine as a whole.

The important result of the Working group's activity on native peoples was that they have created a regular forum of World's native peoples in UN.

N.Zinchenko-Kefeli, "Golos Krima", #37 (356), 8 September 2000, p.2.

Our information: * The Crimean Karaits are one of the Crimean native peoples.

Analysis, critics and invitation.

On September 2, the next in turn (104) sitting of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people was held. They considered the results of Crimean Tatar people's representatives' meeting with the President of Ukraine, L.Kuchma*, issues on preparations for the 3^rd session of Kurultay of Crimean Tatar people, conducting conference of regional Mejlises, events in Seitler (Nizhnegorsk)** and other developments.

The head of Crimean government, S.Kunitsin and his advisor, A.Formanchuk took part in discussion of the first point. Mejlis members emphasized that the points of resolutions of Council of Ministers of Crimea, adopted after May 18 (of current and previous year)*** were not implemented. The policy of Crimean government on land issue was sharply criticized. The education issues were considered as well.

S.Kunitsin stated that he was also "accused of being bribed by the Crimean Tatars". "My point of view is familiar to everyone: the Crimean Tatars must be allotted certain land plots. However, the present composition of the government makes up a coalition". Resolving of several problems turns out to be a strong opposition… He also added that under President's commission they were holding preparations for changing the structure of debts on electricity of Crimean Tatars' compact settlements.

B.Baltadzhy, "Kirim", #40 (588), 9 September 2000, p.1.

Our information: * See "Crimean news 72" (article "The main problems are not being resolved") on this meeting.

** See "Crimean news 72" (article "Anatiliy Korneychuk demanded that a public evaluation on Crimean Tatars' actions in Nizhnegorsk district should be made") on developments in Nizhnegorsk district.

***Annually, on May 18, Crimean Tatars during their meeting, dedicated to the next in turn anniversary of deportation, put forward demands that their political and socio-economic problems, which are being ignored year by year, should be solved. In response to their demands, Crimean government again adopts a resolution aimed at solution of these problems.

**** The statement is an official reply to the inquiry of Permanent Representative of President of Ukraine in Crimea, Anatoliy Korneychuk on Crimean Tatars' actions in Nizhnegorsk. (see in appendices).

September 6 - The Independence Day of Ichkeriya.

On September 6, they held a service in all Crimean mosques, which was dedicated to the 9^th anniversary of independence of Chechenian Republic Ichkeriya. After the service, Islamic Party of Crimea, Crimean Tatar national party "Adalet", Crimean Tatar youth center and Moslem community "Khady-mahalle" adopted an address to the heads of states and governments, taking part in the summit of millenium in New York, asking to "provide aid to Chechenian people in its fight for freedom and a right to lead quite lives". The address says that Russia tries to conceal crimes, committed in Chechnya and Caucasus from the World community. The address authors believe that in the connection with "crime agreement with the Kremlin" the discrimination of Chechenian people is experienced in Crimea as well.

"Avdet", ("Returning"), #16 (250), 8 September 2000, p.1.

Land reform.

Will people share their land plots?

On August 31, in village "Dalneye" of Chernomorskiy district of Crimea they held a meeting of village residents on land issue. The main issue was the allotting land plots to the Crimean Tatars. In accordance with President's Decree as from 1995 all the existing Collective Agriculture Enterprises (CAE) had to be abolished. CAE "Dalneye" consists of 1119 persons. Each CAE member has got 9 hectares of land.

If each member shares 1-1,2 hectares from his own land plot then the problem of allotting land to the deported citizens will be solved in this region. The working group was specially created for solving these problems. It includes both representatives of village council and representatives of regional mejlis. The first results of this working group are expected to satisfy us soon.

S.Abdurahmanova, "Kirim", #48 (588), 9 September 2000, p.1.

Education.

First Crimean Tatar class in Simferopol.

Twelve Crimean Tatar children and one Russian child have entered the class with the Crimean Tatar language of instruction in school #37 for the first time.

And before that, a numerous group of pupils, teachers and parents was presented the first year pupils of three first classes: with Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar languages of instruction. Three languages have got equal importance and status at this school.

Gulnara Useinova, "Golos Krima", #37 (356), 8 September 2000, p.1.

There must be 200 but not 2.

At last, they have opened two first classes with Crimean Tatar language of instruction in Simferopol this academic year. Pupils have entered national classrooms at schools #29 and 37.

"Kirim", #40 (588), 9 September 2000, p.1.

National school has been formed from a national class.

The first jubilee of Crimean Tatar national school was celebrated in Kalay village (currently Mayskoye) of Dzhankoy region of Crimea. Crimean Tatar class was opened in a school with Russian language of instruction for the first time.

Pupils were congratulated with this date and donated memory presents.

"Kirim", #40 (588), 9 September 2000, p.1.

School jubilee.

On September 1, Crimean Tatar national school in Stariy Krim celebrated its 10^th anniversary. School principal, Ayshe Chabanova and guests congratulated all the school pupils and their parents. After that, the first school bell rang. The jubilee celebration was crowned by a concert, prepared by the school pupils.

Seyran Suleyman, "Yani Dunya"("New World"), #36 (537), 9 September 2000, p.1.

Black Sea branch of MSU has been opened.

On September 1, in Sevastopol they held a solemn opening ceremony of one of the most prestigious universities of Russia.

It took constructors less than two years to construct a modern building of the university, bring and install the furniture and equipment.

There are four faculties on eighth specialties in the branch.

The telegram sent by Y.Luzhkov** says the followings: "Opening of MSU branch will let the children of servicemen of BSN RF*** and Crimean residents living in Sevastopol and Autonomous Republic Crimea get a high level of education in Russian".

Yana Popova, "Krimskoye Vremya", #162 (1029), 5 September 2000, p.6.

Our information: *MSU stands for Moscow State University.

**Yuriy Luzhkov is the city mayor of Moscow.

***The Black Sea Navy of Russian Federation.

Housing the deportees.

1000 houses for the deportees.

The newly elected President of Turkish Republic, Ahmet Sezer, during his meeting with the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma under the frameworks of Summit of millenium in headquarters of UN, confirmed that Turkey would implement its preliminary obligation of constructing 1000 houses for the deported Crimean Tatars, who have returned to their historical Motherland.

The dialogue of two Presidents will be continued during official visit of Leonid Kuchma to Turkey, planned for November 27-28.

DINAU, "Krimskaya Gazeta", #164 (16020), 8 September 2000, p.1.

Economics.

3,4 million tourists have visited Crimea this year.

Current tourist season in Crimea has been "the most successful" during last five years. 3,4 million tourists visited Crimea till September 1. The number exceeds the last year figures by 600 thousand. According to forecasts, some 4,2-4,3 million tourists will have visited the peninsula the "Indian summer".

The success of current season is connected with active advertising of Crimean health resorts and their competitive features.

Interfax-Ukraine, "Krinskiye Izvestiya", #163 (2167), 7 September 2000, p.5.

International collaboration.

International conference is being held in Yalta.

International conference "Possibilities of business in the region of Black Sea economic collaboration "is being held in Yalta.

225 representatives from 15 different countries take part in the business-forum. They'll discuss issues of collaboration in different spheres of economics.

Three plenary sittings will be held under the frameworks of the conference: "The meaning of the Black Sea economic collaboration for development of business in the region", "Projects and investment possibilities of BSE region" and a sitting on adopting result documents of the conference.

They'll also hold sessions on the following issues: "Tourism and environment", "Development of self-authority organs", "support of enterprises of small and middle business", "Transport and energetic", "Innovational technologies", "Possibilities of trade. Financing of trade. Free trade zones".

Interfax-Ukraine, "Krinskiye Izvestiya", #163 (2168), 8 September 2000, p.5.

Scientists will give recommendations to the government.

Under the frameworks of the 3^rd International scientific-practical conference "Great silk path: connection of times and peoples" Southern scientific-research Institute of sea fishery economy and oceanography holds ecological readings "Naturally-biological and ecological problems of Eastern Crimea".

After the conference its participants will address to the Council of Ministers of Crimea with specific propositions on implementation of scientific programs.

Tatiana Panina, "Krimskoye Vremya", #165 (1032), 8 September 2000, p.2.

"Kosak step - 2000".

From September 11 till September 21 they'll hold multi-national exercises "Kosak step - 2000", where servicemen from Ukraine, Great Britain and Poland will participate.

Some 900 persons, 5 ships, 42 units of automobiles, 6 planes and helicopters will take part. 130 persons from a reinforced company of navy infantry from Ukraine will take part in the exercises, from Great Britain - 130 persons from a reinforced company of "Commandos" battalion of Royal navy infantry and 70 persons from Polish reinforced air-mobile company.

Interfax-Ukraine, "Krimskiye Izvestiya", #164 (2168), 8 September 2000, p.8.

Space forum to be held in Yevpatoriya.

From September 11 till September 15 in Yevpatoriya, they'll hold the International conference "Space Protection of the Earth -2000", where prominent foreign scientists will take part.

The reason for this conference is the problems faced by World community. The problems are connected with protection of our planet from asteroids and comets, and preventing of global catastrophes. The conference program also includes some other issues, related with using of small space bodies in interests of development of outer space exploration.

There is a big space center in Yevpatoriya, which is given a status of international space center.

Vitaliy Shevchenko, "Krimskaya Pravda", #165 (22578), 9 September 2000, p.1.

Culture.

Learning more and more about each other.

Photo exhibition "Polish Moslems" was opened on September 4 in Crimean ethnographic museum. Photos and subjects of cult, presented at the exhibition introduce us with life, religious customs and holidays, with science and culture activists of Polish Crimean Tatars, widely known as Polish Moslems.

Gulnara Useinova, "Golos Krima", #37 (356) 8 September 2000, p.2.

Polish Moslems.

The exhibition was prepared by Polish Institute in Kyiv, Ministry of Culture of Crimea, Crimea Republic museum of local lore, Crimean Ethnographic museum, fund "Crimean Tatar Initiative" and Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe. "When they say Polish Moslems, they mean Polish Crimean Tatars", - said the director of "Crimean Tatar Initiative" fund, Ayder Seitosmanov, when opening the exhibition. The director of Polish Institute in Kyiv, P.Kazakevich, Director of Crimean Museum of local lore, A.Malgin, coordinator of Crimean program of Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe, U.Doroshevskaya, poet S.Selim, Director of "Restoration of Crimea" fund, L.Osmanov, artists R.Netovkin, whose pictures about Polish Moslem's lives are presented here made their speeches for the gathered. They told about the exhibition and about lives of the Crimean Tatars, living abroad. The representative of Crimean Tatar Diaspora in Poland told about the history of Crimean Tatars' appearance there.

This exhibition has already been held in India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and other countries.

Sevil Abdurahmanova, "Kirim", #40 (588), 9 September 2000, p.8.

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