IN THE COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR PEOPLE

Our information: The Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people attached to the President of Ukraine was established by the Ukrainian President's Decree # 518/99 “On the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people”. All of the 33 members of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people entered in this Council. At the same time, the Chairman of the Mejlis, People's Deputy of Ukraine, M. Dzhemilev, was appointed the Chairman of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. In 2000, three meetings of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people with participation of the President of Ukraine were held ¹.

On May 3, 2001, in Simferopol, the next meeting of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people with participation of the President of Ukraine was held. Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Council of ministers of the ARC took part in this meeting as well.

During this meeting, a course of realization of the commissions, which were given by the President of Ukraine in accordance with results of the previous meetings of the Council of the Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, was discussed. The vice-prime minister of Ukraine M. G. Zhulynskyi; Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the ARC S. V. Kunytsin; the Head of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, M. Dzhemilev informed on a course of realization of the commissions.

The Minister of Justice of Ukraine S.Stanyk, the chairman of the State Committee on Land Resources of Ukraine A. S. Danylenko, member of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, People's Deputy of Ukraine R.Chubarov, the Head of Bakhchisaray Regional State Administration V. Tsiganksyi took part in discussion of questions.

As was expected, the Land issue and the lack of representation of Crimean Tatars in governmental bodies of the ARC were the main questions.

The President of Ukraine, L. Kuchma, summing up the meeting, expressed his dissatisfaction with the realization of his previous commissions on resettlement and integration of the Crimean Tatar people. Such commissions, which aren't required a significant financial expenses, were not realized as well. Leonid Kuchma stressed – "Integration – when Crimean Tatars will feel themselves freemen".

In accordance with results of meeting, the President of Ukraine gave a commission to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, the State Committee on Land Resources of Ukraine, and the Council of Ministers of the ARC jointly with of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people finally to agree all propositions connected with land-sharing for Crimean Tatars and give them to the President of Ukraine by 1 June 2001. At the same time, before adoption of decision on land-sharing for repatriates, the President of Ukraine gave directions to stop an issuing of land certificates in Crimea.

Understanding the problem of representation of Crimean Tatars in governmental bodies of the ARC, the President of Ukraine has supported the proposals of the Head of the Council of ministers of the ARC S.Kunytsin and member of the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, People's Deputy of Ukraine R.Chubarov on necessity of creation of joint Working Commission on development of draft law "On Elections in Verkhovna Rada of the ARC". L.Kuchma gave a commission to Minister of Justice of Ukraine S.Stanik to head mentioned Working Group.

¹ Documents on the Council of Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, including the information on first meeting of Council see in: “Krimski Studii”, for 2000, # 1, p. 57, # 4, p. 54, for 2001 #1 (7) p.