Caucasians approve president’s message

Author: VK

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev read out his message to the Federal Assembly yesterday. The whole political elite arrived to hear the program document, including Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District, and Ingush Leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. They expressed their impressions from the message in an interview with VK.

Alexander Khloponin

It is hard to judge, all the issues were pointed out and are clear. The most significant aspects are the political reforms to be realized. The course set by the president for modernization of the political system and further development of the innovation economy is an important goal. The initiative has great potential. This means interbudgetary relations, delegation of authority and involvement of more of the population in political processes. Concerning harmonization of inter-ethnic relations, the president and prime minister clearly expressed their position that multinational Russia would never accept ideas of nationalism.

Regarding the return of gubernatorial elections in the North Caucasus, with development of social institutions in the North Caucasian republics it is not appointments from the upper authority that have become significant, but the opportunity of citizens to take part in the political system and especially in electing heads of regions

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov

- Do you agree that inter-ethnic tensions are provoked by regional diversity of income?

- That is not the only reason. Negative information provokes inter-ethnic tensions even more than incomes. This includes false information on distribution of incomes. Why are we constantly talking about the Caucasus? Russia thinks that only the Caucasian regions receive donations and incomes. There should be reports on how all other regions receive it. When we watch this it turns out that we get the smallest share from all distributions.

- The president gave consideration to education of pupils, particularly in ethnic issues. How are these problems solved in your republic?

- We do not have problems in education of pupils, including ethnic issues. We have classes on religion, national culture and traditions. We organize studies of culture, history and traditions for senior classes where youth cannot get a higher education. This is why we do not have such problems. Problems mainly occur with a lack of education centers.

- Do you sense a contradiction in the president’s statement that regions should spend their funds freely and demands for strict documentation of expenses in the Caucasus?

- I do not think it concerns the Caucasus only. Everyone will give an account. What does free spending mean? Certainly, the Chamber of Accounts, the controlling structure, will be inspecting. We are all accountable, not just the Caucasus regions, all Russian regions are. The law applies to us all. I see no prejudice towards the Caucasus.

- Do you support the initiative to introduce elections of republic heads?

- I am positive towards the initiative, however, I would like to remind you that the switch to appointment of governors was not by chance. We saw many violations in the law, there were more problems back then. We have forgotten those times and need to recall that there were conflict situations, there were more expenses. Thus, I believe that the issue needs consideration. But if an electoral system is adopted, it shall be that way. There is nothing bad about it.

- Whom would you vote for at the presidential polls, if it is not a secret?

- For Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.