Russian government to tackle ethnic conflicts

Read on the website Vestnik Kavkaza

A department on ethnic and religious issues will be set up within the Russian government, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, RIA Novosti reports.

"I believe a special structure will be established within the government staff to deal with such issues," Putin said at a meeting
with representatives of religious and public organizations.

It is important to identify outstanding issues and find effective ways of resolving them, he said.

A special coordinator will be appointed to act as a mediator between the government and public and religious groups, the prime minister added.