Mintimer Shaimiev tells about meeting with Mustafa Dzhemilev

On March 14 Tatarstan State Counsellor, Chairman of Guardian Council of the Regional Foundation “Revival” Mintimer Shaimiev took part in live programme “Cultural conversation” on radio station “Echo of Moscow” in Kazan.

The programme was dedicated to implementation of projects “Cultural heritage of Tatarstan: ancient town of Bolgar and island town of Sviyazhsk”. Mintimer Shaimiev told about the projects, answered questions of the programme presenter Nelya Khairutdinova and radio listeners concerning further activity of “Revival” Foundation.

Later on, Mintimer Shaimiev told journalists of TNV company about his meeting with former head of Majlis of Crimean Tatars, deputy of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Mustafa Dzhemilev in Moscow.

“We wanted to meet and discuss current situation connected with upcoming referendum in Crimea. I know about the history of Crimean Tatars, who have been facing many hardships for centuries. And we are expressing concern about this problem, asking how will they deal with the situation that attracts attention of the world community today?

Mustafa Dzhemilev is a symbol of Crimean Tatars, who has been fighting for rights of his nation all his life. He wanted to know the opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding issues to be discussed at the referendum. During our conversation he did not conceal that he had visited Maidan those days and spoke to new leader of Ukraine in Moscow.

He also supports maintenance of Ukraine integrity and puts in doubt legitimacy of the referendum in Crimea. I told Mustafa Dzhemilev that I did not have any powers except for being helpful. How will Crimean Tatars live if a positive decision is made at upcoming referendum? I told him we had certain experience in settlement of relations with the federal centre.

I thought Mustafa Dzhemilev came to Moscow in order to present interests of Crimean Tatars, but he said he was going to tell about the position of new Ukrainian leader, and discuss integrity of the country and upcoming referendum.

I tried to express my concern about destiny of Crimean Tatars, and said we could help them to have certain guarantees using our experience and opportunities.

At the same time, we should keep in mind that it was not Russia that provoked revolution in Ukraine, it was the internal conflict.

Later on, in a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, Mustafa Dzhemilev was insistently telling about his opinion, and position of new interim authority of Ukraine, protecting his interests.

Vladimir Putin, in his turn, explained his position concerning the future of Crimea, noting that Crimean Tatars will not be deprived of their rights. Mustafa Bei remained stuck to his opinion. For sure, he is concerned about the future of his nation. He thanked for the meeting and we believe it was useful.”

Answering the question about the role of Tatarstan in relationship between Russia and Crimean authorities, Mintimer Shaimiev said: “We saw that our deputies, public figures, representatives of the World Congress of Tatars came to Crimea. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov visited Crimea two times. I suppose his last trip was especially helpful. Good decisions are made in a dialogue.

For the first time Verkhovna Rada of Crimea presents wide opportunities for Crimean Tatars. 20 per cent of Crimean Tatars present Crimean Parliament, the state status of Crimean Tatar language is fixed in documents accepted by Verkhovna Rada of Crimea. Executive positions in the government and parliament are also guaranteed. Mustafa Bei realises these facts. Moreover, they faced problems with providing favourable conditions, granting land plots for construction sites and farming to compatriots coming to Crimea. I should say, Vladimir Vladimirovich is willing to put much emphasis on these issues.

Being a fraternal nation, with common history and origins, we want Crimean Tatars to have their own rights. The programme aimed at development of Crimean territory considering interests of Crimean Tatars, who come back to their motherland, will be accepted if a positive decision about the status of Crimea is made. We can help with fixing these guarantees in a legal way, including the Basic Law of Crimea. We now see first results of our cooperation. New Crimean leaders made decisions concerning political and social problems of Crimean Tatars not without the contribution of Rustam Nurgalievich.”