Similar documents are currently being discussed and developed in many regions in Russia, including Tomsk. Such charters can become real bases of consolidation and self-organization, during the growing crises in our society. Therefore, we consider it very important to undertake a similar charter in the Altai Republic, prepared by professor and Honored Russian Lawyer D.I. Tabaev.

A very interesting message was posted on November 15th on the official government website of the Altai Republic. It concerned a rather landmark event: at a meeting with journalists from the Far Eastern and Siberian Federal Districts, representative of the editor in chief of STRC (state tele-radio company) “Altai Mountains” Aisulu Kyygasova posed a question to the President of Russia. But, it was not about unemployment, the fall of “Progress,” nor the Altai Valley. Instead, it was about (you won’t believe it!) the “Altai” gas pipeline. And the President replied!

The “Union” accident in the Lake Teletskoye taiga was costly for the Tubalars. The falling rocket staging and fuel tanks affect not only the local peoples’ health, but also endanger a traditional part of their livelihood which provides basic income—gathering pine nuts. The Trap, a film produced back in 1997 by environmental TV station “Katun,” raises the question of altering the rocket routes. However, Altai still plays hostage to space activities.

At last justice has been served and rightful accusations have been brought against the participants in the January 2009 poaching of argali rams (arkhar) listed in the Red Book. As is by now well-known, prominent government figures were the participants in the hunt, including then-presidential spokesman in the National Assembly and members of the government of the Altai Republic. A few participants in the hunt, as a result of the helicopter accident, paid for their unlawful activities with their lives. The survivors have gone a long time without answering for them. We hope that the law triumphs over these authorities’ abuse of power.