Chulpan KHAMATOVA: “Dialogue is possible”

Co-founder of the Podari Zhizn Foundation speaks about the apology of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov

Co-founder of the Podari Zhizn foundation speaks about the apology of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov: “The words of President Minnikhanov are very dear to me. Thoughts that they could act with us deliberately cynically, not only not fulfilling their obligations, but even without explaining themselves, are gone. I felt lighter in my heart. I realized that a dialogue is possible, that it was just a very unfortunate misunderstanding.

- In the evening of the same day, when the publication of my interview “I don’t want to live by such laws”, I received a call from the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. He apologized to me and the Podari Zhizn Foundation for the red tape allowed by the Tatarstan officials, explained that he was provided with distorted information about the format of the World Children's Games of Winners. And that he admits mistakes in terms of negotiating procedures and determining the budget of the event.

He said that on his own behalf and on behalf of the leadership of the republic, he officially declares that Tatarstan is ready to fulfill all its earlier obligations to organize and hold the World Children's "Games of Winners" in 2014 in Kazan, because he is sure that the republic will be able to adequately meet the participants of the "Games" to hold competitions at the highest level.

“Kazan has everything you need for this — modern sports infrastructure, volunteers, comfortable hotels for children,” the president told me.

Despite the fact that it is now impossible to accept this proposal, since preparations are in full swing in Moscow, the words of President Minnikhanov are very dear to me. Thoughts that they could act with us deliberately cynically, not only not fulfilling their obligations, but even without explaining themselves, are gone. I felt lighter in my heart. I realized that a dialogue is possible, that it was just a very unfortunate misunderstanding. I consider the very fact of the president's apologies to be a courageous act, and I understand that our cooperation with Tatarstan is quite possible in the future.