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Tatarstan: Kremlin Rejects Proposal to Introduce of Post of Vice President |
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Tuesday, 04 October 2005 |
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The federal presidential administration rejects the idea of introducing a post
of federal vice president that would be earmarked for a Muslim, RIA-Novosti
reported on 30 September, quoting a senior Kremlin aide. "Our state is
secular, and that proposal could never under any circumstances be implemented,"
presidential-administration deputy head Vladislav Surkov told reporters the
same day.
Council of Muftis of Russia Chairman Rawil Gainetdin suggested
at a news conference in Moscow on 27 September that Muslim leaders might raise
the issue of introducing such a post. He said the effort could pay off if "the
number of Muslims grows while the demographic situation worsens." Gainetdin
said he thinks Muslims deserve to be represented through a senior state post.
"We are not promoters of changing the current constitution," Gainetdin
said, and he added, "The time has not yet come for such discussions....
We should not frighten representatives of other faiths."
The "Zvezda povolzhya" weekly speculated on 29 September
that Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev might be selected for the post if it
were introduced.
Source: Radio Free Europe /
Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) |
