in single-mandate districts.

Commenting on a remark by an interviewer about a possible plan by Shaimiev's close relatives to succeed him in office, Salii said the Russian leadership does not see this as a real possibility. Salii also noted that family dynasties are impermissible under Russian law. Salii said that when Shaimiev leaves office, there will be a "savage fight" for the presidency of Tatarstan.

Russian Islamic University Honors First GraduatesFourteen students graduated from the faculties of Sharia Law and the Koran at the Russian Islamic University in Kazan, Islam.ru reported on 7 May.

Abdurashid Zakirov, vice rector of the university, told the agency that the university proposed that four of the graduates be given teaching posts at the university. He also said the university is establishing contacts with international Islamiccenters where graduates can be sent to continue their religious education.

Tatarstan's Popular Front Protests Beer Advertising"Zvezda povolzhya" weekly published a statement on 8 May by Tatarstan's Popular Front in which the group's chairman, Farit Khabibullin, criticized beer advertising in the republic. Khabibullin said the major contributors of this type of advertising were the Efir and Tatarstan television companies.

The Popular Front leader also protested plans by the Krasnyi Vostok (Red East) beer company to hold an advertising campaign on 25 May near the Kazan Kremlin and the Qol Sherif mosque, as it had a year ago, to mark the 10th anniversary of Efir's information program "Gorod", (City).

Khabibullin said such "republic-wide carousing featuring competitions in speed drinking" leads minors to drinking and "insults our national feelings and dignity."

The Popular Front