"The first step" in the development of new federative relations in Russia (the beginning of the 90s): reflection after decades (interview one)

The article considers main ways for realization of federative reforms in Russia in the beginning of the 90's. The special attention is given to transformation of autonomous regions into autonomous republics of the Russian Federation. The article explains not only the mechanism of «maturation» and the realization of the idea of enhancement of the status of autono-mous regions but also the specific nature and difficulties of the initial period of constitutional construction in new republics, basically through the Republic of Khakassia which the author introduced in the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation and on the first session of the State Duma.