Magomedsalam Magomedov: “Family ties shouldn't be confused with clannishness”

Locals think that the wonderful nature of Dagestan is none the worse
than the best Swiss resorts: the clear water of the lakes, beautiful
mountains and lots of sun. But the image of a "trouble region", that
is associated with Dagestan does not allow to develop the economy.

The President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov told RIA Novosti, how
the authorities try to make the region attractive for investments,
when a war on militants is being conducted.

-Magomedsalam Magomedalievich, are there any results to report from
the Dagestani Interior Minister, Abdurashid Magomedov, who has
nominated a month ago? What policy should he chose, and what were his
forerunner's mistakes?
-It is very important to change people's attitude towards the police.
It'll change when certain results occur, when people regard a
policemen as their rights protector and security. People regard
policemen as danger so far unfortunately. So it is important for the
new Minister and the whole Ministry staff to change people's attitude.
It is obvious even for a bystander that the Dagestani police has
bolstered its work, some 40 militants have been eliminated this month.
Special operations became more effective. I think the new Minister
manages to struggle against criminals. If explosions, murders and
terrorist acts to continue, we can't appraise positively the police's
work.

-Could you please comment on the project of creating a special police
service out of locals to combat militants in mountain regions. How is
it coming along?
-The decision has been already adopted. The situation in the republic
made us adopt such decision. The creation of such a special service is
to solve the problem and establish order in our republic. The point
is, special forces, trained to combat in mountains and equipped better
than terrorists, should fight them. Regular policemen can't fight with
well organised militants. This service will be formed by locals who
will have special training. In many regions of Dagestan militants live
for years - we can't allow it. We can't allow them to kill, blow up,
extort money. These special forces will be attached to the 102nd
interior troops brigade, and the Russian Interior Ministry will
coordinate their work.

-At what stage of development is the special-purpose federal program
for Dagestan for 2011-2016? Is it necessary for the republic? Should
it be strictly regional?
-We are planning to finish our work on the project of the federal
purposed program "Social and economic development of Dagestan in
2012-2017" at the beginning of the upcoming year. As far as its
necessity is concerned, you know that most social and economic rates
are lower in Dagestan than average Russian ones. The Gross Regional
Product per capital is three times lower than the average Russian
rate. The industry production volume is 12 times lower. We have the
lowest salary in the country and over 190,000 unemployed. But there
are reasons for that situation: in the last 20 years the Russian
population has reduced by 5%, while that of Dagestan has grown by
150%. And now the modernization of economy and social sphere of
Dagestan is a way to overcome negative tendencies. Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev has supported our program. A special state program
will be created.

-From what sources will financing come and how much it will exceed
the financing of the actual regional development programs?
-It's too early to name concrete sums. The program will get financing
from the budget, private investors, companies and banks. The existing
federal program "Russian South" is aimed only at solving local, not
major problems. There is no stability in financing the projects. For
example, sums for building social objects were reduced by 900 million
roubles in 2010 and the Dagestani budget can't plug the gap in
financing. I think the new program will allow us not only to enlarge
financing, but to strengthen control over the use of the funds.

-The Russian president has charged the Finance Ministry with solving
the issue of state guarantees for economic projects in Dagestan. Was
the problem solved? What projects received guarantees?
-The guarantees will be offered for certain investment projects. This
sector will be developed from 2011. Yet there are supported projects,
for example, building of a glass factory Anzhi-steklo, or project of
joint car enterprise. A specific institution to be created attached to
the Vneshekonombank, where our projects will be presented and financed
via Vneshekonombank. The problem is, we have a small amount of
investors to form a serious pledge fund.

-Do you think clannishness is the republic's problem and it should be
eliminated? And by what means, if so?
-Close family ties were always strong in Dagestan and in each Caucasus
republic. They shouldn't be confused with clannishness, as we regard
this notion. Clans, tukhums, teyps, is a regular organization of the
Caucasus community. And these clans could be used for good purposes.
If a person thinks only about self interests and about his family's
interests - it is corruption, no doubt. We try to prevent lobbying and
corruption schemes. But maybe it is thanks to family traditions that
there were no ethnic conflicts in Dagestan.

RIA Novosti.