Sherig-ool Oorzhak

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Sherig-ool Dizizhikovich OORZHAK [ʃærɪɡɔːl] [dɪzɪʒɪɡovɪtʃ] [ɔːrʒʌk], born July 24, 1942 in the village of Shekpeer [ʃækpæːr] in independent People's Republic of Tuva, was the leader of Tuva for 17 years, from 1990 to 2007.

Oorzhak graduated Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural academy in 1971. Then he was an economist, director in the state farm "Shekpeer" in 1971-1980.

In 1983 became activist of Tuvan branch of Communist Party. Graduated Novosibirsk High Communist Party School in 1985. From December 1986 - secretary at the Tuvan branch of Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Three-times deputy of Supreme Soviet of Tuva Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. From 1990 to 1992 - Chairman of the Council of Ministers (i.e Prime Minister) of Tuva ASSR. In 1990 elected people's deputy of RSFSR. In August 1991 suffered a defeat from Kaadyr-ool Bitcheldei [kʌːdɯrɔːl bɪtʃældeɪ] in run for Head of Supreme Soviet of Tuva ASSR.

On March 15, 1992 he was elected to be President of the Republic of Tuva. In 1993 - Head of Consitutionary commission of Tuva; adopted Constitution on October 21, 1993. In 1997 - re-elected as President.

According Tuvan constitution, Tuva was "an independent state in association with Russia" and could "declare war and sign international agreements of its own will". During Russian regional constitutions' revision in 2000, these phrases were removed from the document. As political career of Oorzhal became uncertain after this, he had to pay some respect to Russian president and his affiliates and provided places in Council of Federation from Tuva to Serguey Pugachev and Lyudmila Narusova. The first is Kremlin-affiliated bank owner, while the second is the widow of late Anatoly Sobchak.

In 2001 new Constitution of Tuva cancelled the post of the President of Tuva for to make possible for Oorzhak to avoid two-term limit for President. On March 17, 2002 with 53% of the vote elected as a Prime Minister of Tuvan Government and changed his title from President to Prime Minister.

He was forced to resigned on April 6, 2007 after local opposition clans had made publicity of Oorzhak's corruption.