Interview by Oleg Kusov. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The head of Ingushetia was the first head of a North Caucasus region to visit the studio of Vestnik Kavkaza. We have plans to talk to other heads as well. Yevkurov has opened the list of top guests and confirmed his image as the most communicable leader in the complex North Caucasus region. Yevkurov's sociability is probably based on the many positive changes in Ingushetia. Still, all the residents of the republic know his telephone number, and anybody can ask his recommendation or inform him about an unprofessional bureaucrat. According to the republic's program, farmers will have guaranteed access to the leadership of Ingushetia to settle problems. In the Caucasus they appreciate busy and accessible bosses, rather than corrupt and inaccessible ones. That’s why the Ingush leader is respected in North Ossetia, despite difficult inter-ethnic relations. The current head of Ingushetia wants to normalize the internal and external situations regarding the republic as soon as possible. And he has every chance of succeeding, as Yevkurov has managed to form a team of supporters. The facts confirm that he knows how to solve problems in different spheres.
- You have been heading Ingushetia for 6 years. What is the priority problem for the republic in your opinion? Socio-economy, security, or the struggle against terrorists?
- Not only Ingushetia, but any region has socio-economic problems. If the social and economic spheres are at a decent level, the criminal level will be lower, as people have jobs. So I think this is the main problem. Comparing Ingushetia 4-5 years ago and the republic today, when the socio-economic level and infrastructure are at a high level in the republic, we can see advantages in the stability and security of our citizens. So I think it is the socio-economic situation, as this is the foundation of prosperity of any region, including Ingushetia.
- As for security questions, how are they being solved in Ingushetia?
- They are being solved according to the laws of the Russian Federation. There is a bloc of law-enforcement agencies which should provide security for citizens in various spheres and directions: from crime to economic security. There are courts and prosecution services. If we look at preventative measures, today the element of force is minimal. 80-90% is crime prevention, working with young people, with relatives of potential criminals or those who could become criminals. There is a difference, and year by year the situation improves. Moreover, there is serious work by republican and municipal adaptation commissions, where they work with prisoners, relatives of prisoners, those whose relatives were killed during their arrest. So there is complex work. It brings good results. We have many examples when young people rejected criminal activities against citizens and the authorities.
- Is there a commission for adaptation of militants?
- It is not only for adaptation of militants. The commission acts for the adaptation of people who have violated laws. People who have committed common crimes, crimes connected with drugs, domestic crimes, I mean those who are not connected with militants and terrorists, address the commission for some help. Of course, the underground movement was the basis for establishing the commission. That’s why the commission also works on preventing blood revenge. The commission has broad functions. There are the republican commission and the municipal commission.
- You are a colonel. You went through difficult situations in the former Yugoslavia. Was the experience helpful in your current activity?
- I should say that I am general. A general is happiness, and in the army nobody rejects happiness.
In general, the experience of not only fighting and participating in conflicts, but serving in the army and scouting is always helpful in various spheres, especially in terms of analysis, conclusions, development of solutions for certain problems. Of course the experience was helpful. Moreover, I developed special operations by myself and participated in various arrangements. So it is easier for me and I am glad to share my experience with others. But there is another question. Since the first day of my term as the head of the republic there has been no necessity to interfere during 5 years. First of all, the law-enforcement agencies work on it, according to the law. The republic has an emergency operations center on the basis of the territorial directorate of the Russian FSS. It includes all the force structures which are situated in the republic. They plan and conduct operations. I took part only in exercises or sessions of the emergency operations center. I should say that they always listen to my recommendations, ask my opinion. Many of them know me in practice, even though some of them are meeting me for the first time, they know that I am an experienced person in the sphere. I am glad to help them, but in general they plan and conduct operations by themselves; while I act like a ceremonial bystander who gives interviews on the background of something.
I never say that an operation is conducted under the control of the republic’s head. It is not my business, according to the law, I don’t want to take credit from the people who really conduct operations. The experience is useful not only for planning operations, but also for other tense situations. And I would like to stress again that I am happy when people successfully fulfil tasks due to my recommendations.
- It seems it is difficult to provide you with unreliable information.
- Yes, it’s true. Many local guys and those from other regions say that it is difficult to trick me, as when a person starts talking, I understand immediately if he is lying. But it is an art to pretend that you believe him, if it is a public conversation, and later you tell him privately that he mustn’t do so. In most cases attempts to lie are aimed not at following their interests, they are trying to protect their dependants or to justify an unsuccessful operation. When we analyze a situation later, I tell them: “Tell me the truth and I'll tell you why it has happened.” In this case they agree and the number of attempts to misinform me reduces.
