Author: VK
Ramazan Abdulatipov, the acting head of Dagestan since late January, is at the top of the regional media rating of the heads of NCFD regions. According to research by the independent Russian research company "Medialogia", in the overall ranking of heads of subjects of the Russian Federation Abdulatipov took the second place, losing only to the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin.
Late last week, congratulating Dagestanis on the Day of Defender of the Fatherland, Abdulatipov called Dagestan center of all the world's religions: "For centuries Dagestanis were Christians, and some of the villages practiced this religion till the XIV century... Only ignorant people can oppose religion ... Today Dagestan is in a difficult situation ... Our republic will certainly get out of this situation. We call on all to be with us during this difficult work. There are positive results already. The Government of the Republic is formed without corruption. We need order, we need to revive our culture, morality and conscience. "
The same day, Alexander Yermoshkin, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Dagestan in Russia, who succeeded Gadzhi Makhachev, told VK about the situation in the republic in more detail.
VK: We want to congratulate you on the Defender of the Fatherland Day and your designation to this post. We want to wish you success in this field. An immediate question regarding security in Dagestan: how do you perceive, how do you assess the current situation?
Alexander Yermoshkin: Thank you for your congratulations. In general this is a very important day for the republic, because among our countrymen, the Dagestanis, there are many worthy officers. We have been just talking with the hero of Russia, Tolboyev. Many worthy officers. Defenders of the Fatherland, including many Dagestani security officers, are the elite of the republic, on whom Ramazan Gadzhimuradovich Abdulatipov can rely in regard to all reforms and plans he has in mind. Now, about the level of security. One of the main security issues in the republic is the level of trust that the security forces have among the people, because no power structure can fully achieve its objectives without the support of the population. This applies to the FSB and to the Interior Ministry. But first of all probably to the Interior Ministry. This also applies to frontier guards in the republics - overall, all the security agencies. In their work they certainly should rely on the population. It is necessary to restore the trust of the population in the security officers. This is probably the first priority. And then the security level will rise sharply. This is probably the number one objective.
VK: How do you assess the issue of inter-ethnic relations in the republic? What can you say on the subject?
Alexander Yermoshkin: The fact that the country is home to such a great variety of peoples and that we publish 15 newspapers in national languages, in principle, shows that the peoples of Dagestan live in peace and harmony and those controversies that some people are trying to incite... Despite this, they have not succeeded. In general, I believe that the issue of inter-ethnic relations is in good shape in the republic, and I think it will acquire an even better one. We are scheduling a number of initiatives in relation to national issues. In particular, at the moment we are discussing a festival on the subject of nationalities entitled "Oriental bazaar." Only yesterday we discussed this project here, in the permanent mission. I think that it will be soon announced and that it will be very well attended. I especially count on the youth. With the help of the youth, certainly of different nationalities, we will be able to rebuild Dagestan. The main problem is that often initiatives from below simply do not become developed or implemented by the authorities of the republic. I think the situation has changed radically, and this can be read on the webpage of our president, of the government and of the national assembly. Pay attention to the webpage of the national assembly, it was very quickly updated and there is a lot of interesting information there. The same is going to happen with the website of the president and of the government. Therefore, we urge all motivated, bold and confident young people to realize their projects.
VK: Coming back to the topic of global development projects in Dagestan, what projects are already underway?
Alexander Yermoshkin: One of the highly discussed projects these days is "Digital Dagestan". We are currently holding consultations with the Federal Ministry on an accelerated program of the development of this theme, because all young people work in the Internet, we get all the information from the Internet. We are expecting a new youth channel to appear. We also are talking about it with the RGVK, particularly about the possibility of an educational channel. Therefore the subject of "Digital Dagestan" is probably one of the most interesting ones. Moreover, it will not only provide state broadcasts, but will also include a number of public projects, which will also be supported. Therefore we urge all Dagestanis and people from other regions to participate in this project!
