Problems connected with the reduction of the Russian-speaking population in the republics of the North Caucasus are urgent for the NCFD. Among reasons for leaving are economic instability, absence of prospects and guarantees of security. Moreover, the mass media presents the North Caucasus as a region where all the problems of Russia are born.
VK asked officials and experts about ways to stop Russians leaving Ingushetia.
Minister for foreign ties, national policy, press and information of Ingushetia, Yakub Patiyev
The target program “Return and settlement of the Russian-speaking population for 2010-2015” is operating in the republic. Its aim is establishing conditions for the return and settlement of the Russian-speaking citizens in Ingushetia who left the republic during the period of political and socio-economic instability. Russian-speaking pensioners and disabled people are given grants for improving their living conditions.
Head of the Political and Social Research Institute of the Black-Caspian Seas region, Professor Vladimir Zakharov
First of all, jobs must be created. In that case, not only Russians will return, but Ingush people as well. Ingushetia is implementing an effective program on the return and settlement of the Russian-speaking population. The program is aimed not only at Russians, but at everyone who speaks Russian.
Deputy director of the Institute for Foreign Relations and Socio-Political Sciences of the Moscow State Linguistic University, Igor Mashkov
The main problem is not people returning, but making them stay. The economy should be developed in favor of this. But nobody will invest money in the republic until a favorable investment climate is established. First of all, I mean cooperation with local officials. No pay-offs should take place. Business is afraid of postponing decisions on its problems. A stable situation in the republic will also contribute to investment. It should be understood that nobody wants to take risks. Favorable conditions for business should be established.
Head of Nalchik University, president of the Caucasus Academy, Professor Ali Atabiyev
You can see that 30% of mountain villages are abandoned in the republics of the North Caucasus. Young people are leaving their republics in a search of a better life. The majority of educated specialists, our national human resources, don’t return to the small motherland, but stay in the major cities. The same situation exists in the central regions of Russia. It is not a problem of the Caucasus alone.
Deputy of the National Assembly of Ingushetia, Raisa Kharina
I have been living in Ingushetia for more than 40 years. Of course, the problem of the drop in numbers of the Russian-speaking population does exist. In the largest residential area, where Russians live, there are only 300 of them. In the villages of Troitskaya and Nesterovskaya the situation is even worse. Most of the people are old. The authorities of Ingushetia support them in all spheres. But the problem of a population drain from the periphery to major cities characterizes Russia in general.
Vice President of the Federal Lezgin Ethnic-Cultural Autonomy, Sabir Mamedov
When Russians leave, it seems they are oppressed by the local population. However, non-Russians are leaving too. There is no industrial or other work in the republics. All the land is privatized. Favorable conditions for people staying in the republics should be provided.
Superior of Pokrovsky Church in the village of Ordzhinikidzevskaya in Ingushetia, Father Sergei
When only 3% of the population in the republic are Russians, it is difficult to talk about cultural exchange, which should exist. Close cooperation and interrelation with our spiritual mission are established in Ingushetia. One call, and any problem is settled. We have built a new building for our cathedral. We will produce bread and give it away to people. Construction of a cathedral in the village of Troitskaya is planned. A cathedral of Czarina Tamara from the 7th century was discovered in the Dzheirakh district. It will be reconstructed. People who say we don’t need the Caucasus are ignorant and short-sighted people.
Deputy head of the administration of the Sunzhen region of Ingushetia, Fatima Kalimatova
Some political activists exploit the theme of inter-ethnic relations ahead of the elections. This harms people who live in the regions. Abroad we are all Russians. We should prevent any propaganda that leads to degradation. Russians have many beautiful customs, which should be promoted.
Candidate for PhD (science of law), Musa Yandiyev
It is necessary to establish real equality before the law, notwithstanding ethnic origins. We have a constitution.
Pavel Tsoroyev, Nazran. Exclusively to VK
