Interview by an independent journalist, Mstislav Ivanov. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Last month, as a result of voting in the Great Electoral Circle, the Terek Army got a legitimate ataman. Even though only a few weeks have passed, the new head has to deal with current Cossack problems today. Despite the fact he is always very busy, he has commented on the essence and key directions in his work to Vestnik Kavkaza.
- The first question is on the prehistory of the elections. Was it a difficult decision for you to be a candidate for two ataman positions simultaneously?
- It was a difficult decision, but it was made thoughtfully with understanding of the tasks which I would have to deal with. Moreover, I should do it both in the Stavropol Cossack District and other district communities of the Terek Army, which are situated in the NCFD republics.
Every place has urgent problems which should be solved as soon as possible. I decided to become a candidate for the ataman of the Army, as I was sure that we would be one team and work effectively, only relying on the largest Stavropol District and with the support of the district atamans of North Ossetia, Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Dagestan.
- What can you say about the situation in the Army, which has formed ahead of the elections?
- I cannot say that the situation in the Terek Army is critical. There are some problems, and we are solving them. But now our efforts will be coordinated. The Cossacks clearly understand priorities, see opportunities for positive changes. And most importantly – they want and are able to work for the development of the Army. They have proved this many times.
Recently, negative information hype about the Terek Cossack Army has appeared which is connected with the absence of a legally elected ataman. The situation was interpreted in various ways: some shouted about ‘a dead-end’, others spoke about a collapse of the Army. However, all our territorial offices, district, regional, city, and village communities still exist and work. Disputes are natural for any organization, even for families.
Among Cossacks, they are not really critical, as they touch on methods of implementation of the program work. Our goals are the same. The Terek Cossack Army is one of the most important stabilizing factors in the North Caucasus, and the registered Cossacks are a strategic partner of the country’s authorities. This has been stated at the top national level.
The Stavropol District Cossack Community remains the most stable one in its development. Moreover, it is the largest community in the Terek Army. It presents big national power in the NCFD and in the Army. Other district communities have some problems which demand attention from the authorities of the Terek Army and executive power bodies at various levels. However, all problems can be solved.
- The results of the elections and the reaction of the mass media confirm that the majority of Cossacks support you. What do you think about your responsibility?
- I feel responsible for the Cossacks of the whole Terek Cossack Army, first of all. As a military man, I get used to making decisions, taking responsibility for a result, and fulfilling set tasks. To be elected to the position of ataman is an ancient tradition: it includes a task, an order from the Cossack brotherhood.
Since the Zaporozhian Sich – the cradle of the Cossacks – at the circle, they shouted a name of a man who was able to solve essential problems: to command the army during an expedition, to provide food and forage in winter, to distribute resources fairly. The ataman’s club is heavy because of great responsibility.
Today the Cossacks have different, contemporary tasks. It is a state service which should be balanced between the high demand on it among the Cossacks and the offer from the government. It is cooperation with the authorities and local administrations under fulfillment of joint arrangements which are required by regional and local programs of development of the Cossack community.
Today, unfortunately, our participation in municipal management is not quite implemented, and the solution to this problem requires a strengthening of the role of the Cossack communities in the life of communities. But it is necessary to use already accumulated experience. Of course, you should be aware that the most important function of the Cossack community is the support of public policy. The Cossack community was, is and will be a stronghold of Russian statehood..- What do you consider to be your main goals today? Is it the formation of personnel, the improvement of the structure the troops, economic development, measures in the area of the Cossack education, issues of interaction with government agencies?- In regard to personnel, we are doing this continuously: we hold drill parades, keep records of members of Cossack societies, regularly promote in rank. And this activity will be continued as work on consolidation of the Cossack community.There are a few basic tasks of the army. These are the initiation of the adoption of laws on the development of the Cossack community in the subjects of the federation, which are the members of the Terek Cossack Army, on the way things go in Stavropol Territory and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The next is the creation of an executive authority which would be responsible for the development of the Cossack community in the republics and the implementation of the concept of w development of the Russian Cossack community. The third is the creation of Cossack cultural centers in each subject of the Federation, as was done in Stavropol Territory. Maybe not-so-major centers, but absolutely necessary for good coordination of the development of the Cossack cadet education, patriotic education of our youth, the preservation of folklore and culture. And the fourth is providing work in the Cossack societies on the nomination of the most worthy of the Cossacks to responsible positions in the executive and legislative branches.- The Ataman is located in Stavropol, and the staff of the Terek Cossack Army in Vladikavkaz. Will it be possible to consolidate their efforts in pursuit of common objectives? Will distance be a problem?- I do not see any contradiction or problem here. The headquarters of the Terek Cossack Army has historically been located in the city of Vladikavkaz. This is a historical fact and reality. The location of the army headquarters never interfered in the work of the army and had no effect on overall coordination.There is no sense in transferring the headquarters to Stavropol, because the operational group of the Terek Army, which has been solving problems for many years, is working here. In the age of information technologies, the internet and mobile phones, we should'nt worry about the Stavropol-Vladikavkaz distance. It's not a distance.The army is completely located in the North Caucasus Federal District, led by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia, and all leaders of the entities report him. So this, no doubt, will contribute to the further development of the Terek Cossack Army.The incomprehensible 'problem' of co-ordination of the Cossack community because of the existence of the headquarters in Vladikavkaz, that everyone is talking about, is not a problem for anyone.- How could you describe the main aspects of the relationship with the unregistered Cossack community? Cooperation or confrontation? Is consensus in the implementation of the main tasks for the development of the Terek Army possible?- Public Cossack organizations operate along with the Registered Cossack communities and societies. And they both set their development objectives in accordance with their charters. On this basis, the implementation of the main tasks for the development of the Terek Cossack Army community is the inner work of the Terek Cossack Army.The opposition is impossible in this case: everyone does what they have to do. As for cooperation, it is already being implemented to a greater or lesser degree. We always welcome our fellow community members to our elections. In particular, the electoral circle of Stavropol Territory was attended by the Deputy Ataman of the regional social movement 'Stavropol District Cossack Army', Paul Deev, and this is not the first and not the last case.Our Cossacks participate in joint sporting and festive events, provide various kinds of assistance to administrations of cities, villages and parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church. Registered Cossacks are those who are under an obligation to perform public service. The unregistered Cossacks work for the welfare of the state and society in accordance with their constitution.We can formulate our common task – further conflict-free unification of efforts to strengthen the position of the Cossack community in the North Caucasus. Through cooperation and collaboration.
Today, unfortunately, our participation in municipal management is not quite implemented, and the solution to this problem requires a strengthening of the role of the Cossack communities in the life of communities. But it is necessary to use already accumulated experience. Of course, you should be aware that the most important function of the Cossack community is the support of public policy. The Cossack community was, is and will be a stronghold of Russian statehood.
- What do you consider to be your main goals today? Is it the formation of personnel, the improvement of the structure the troops, economic development, measures in the area of the Cossack education, issues of interaction with government agencies?
- In regard to personnel, we are doing this continuously: we hold drill parades, keep records of members of Cossack societies, regularly promote in rank. And this activity will be continued as work on consolidation of the Cossack community.
There are a few basic tasks of the army. These are the initiation of the adoption of laws on the development of the Cossack community in the subjects of the federation, which are the members of the Terek Cossack Army, on the way things go in Stavropol Territory and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The next is the creation of an executive authority which would be responsible for the development of the Cossack community in the republics and the implementation of the concept of w development of the Russian Cossack community. The third is the creation of Cossack cultural centers in each subject of the Federation, as was done in Stavropol Territory. Maybe not-so-major centers, but absolutely necessary for good coordination of the development of the Cossack cadet education, patriotic education of our youth, the preservation of folklore and culture. And the fourth is providing work in the Cossack societies on the nomination of the most worthy of the Cossacks to responsible positions in the executive and legislative branches.
- The Ataman is located in Stavropol, and the staff of the Terek Cossack Army in Vladikavkaz. Will it be possible to consolidate their efforts in pursuit of common objectives? Will distance be a problem?
- I do not see any contradiction or problem here. The headquarters of the Terek Cossack Army has historically been located in the city of Vladikavkaz. This is a historical fact and reality. The location of the army headquarters never interfered in the work of the army and had no effect on overall coordination.
There is no sense in transferring the headquarters to Stavropol, because the operational group of the Terek Army, which has been solving problems for many years, is working here. In the age of information technologies, the internet and mobile phones, we should'nt worry about the Stavropol-Vladikavkaz distance. It's not a distance.
The army is completely located in the North Caucasus Federal District, led by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia, and all leaders of the entities report him. So this, no doubt, will contribute to the further development of the Terek Cossack Army.
The incomprehensible 'problem' of co-ordination of the Cossack community because of the existence of the headquarters in Vladikavkaz, that everyone is talking about, is not a problem for anyone.
- How could you describe the main aspects of the relationship with the unregistered Cossack community? Cooperation or confrontation? Is consensus in the implementation of the main tasks for the development of the Terek Army possible?
- Public Cossack organizations operate along with the Registered Cossack communities and societies. And they both set their development objectives in accordance with their charters. On this basis, the implementation of the main tasks for the development of the Terek Cossack Army community is the inner work of the Terek Cossack Army.
The opposition is impossible in this case: everyone does what they have to do. As for cooperation, it is already being implemented to a greater or lesser degree. We always welcome our fellow community members to our elections. In particular, the electoral circle of Stavropol Territory was attended by the Deputy Ataman of the regional social movement 'Stavropol District Cossack Army', Paul Deev, and this is not the first and not the last case.
Our Cossacks participate in joint sporting and festive events, provide various kinds of assistance to administrations of cities, villages and parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church. Registered Cossacks are those who are under an obligation to perform public service. The unregistered Cossacks work for the welfare of the state and society in accordance with their constitution.
We can formulate our common task – further conflict-free unification of efforts to strengthen the position of the Cossack community in the North Caucasus. Through cooperation and collaboration.
