By Vestnik Kavkaza
Oleg Ageyev, the deputy head of the Department of Interregional Cooperation, ethnic policy and contacts with religious organizations in Moscow, told about problems of achievement of inter-ethnic harmony in Moscow and ways of their settlement.
More than 160 ethnic groups live in Moscow. Of course, all of them have their own characteristics. They are bright and have national merits. At the same time, certain processes which are happening in Moscow, for example, many people forget that ethnic and other relations, ideological and political instruments are based on economics.
The regions experience heavy changes too. If some region lacks jobs, people choose a place where they can realise their ambitions and talents. That is why many migrants come to Moscow. A lot of migrants come to us from the CIS countries. It brings certain diversity to Moscow’s life. Many come with their traditions. I emphasize that not all traditions should be judged. Nations differ, traditions differ. All of them are colors and you cannot say which is better. But Moscow lives under certain rules, and these rules are violated. Sociologists say it is a clash of cultures. But this irritates people to a lesser extent. Opinion polls show that the most irritating factor is crime. Sometimes it is called ethnic crime, but ethnic origin doesn’t play any role.
Secondly, it is employment. Sometimes it is quite difficult to find a job today. Muscovites haven’t got used to the fact that it is difficult. In last years of the Soviet regime the labor market was very wide, and one could easily find any job. You could easily find a good job and earn good money. Today, no. Today you have to work hard to find a good job. Moreover, we have some unsettled issues in the sphere of law in this aspect, I don’t mean ethnic problems. For example, the minimum statutory monthly pay. What is it? Five thousand? That is the price of a metro pass. One cannot rent an apartment, buy food, and wear good clothes for this sum, not to mention professional realization. That is why Muscovites and migrants have problems.
Moscow is changing dramatically. Its infrastructure is changing. Previously it was a serious industrial center oriented towards major industrial enterprises; there was a powerful working class, and everybody strived for this. Today the majority of enterprises understand that it is not beneficial to keep metallurgical factories near Red Square, which used to be a subject of mockery by the foreign media. It is not beneficial for factories to be in the center of Moscow. They relocate their enterprises, so the structure and the labor market are changing. New people arrive.
Many Muscovites haven’t got a job. For example, metallurgists have nothing to do in Moscow today. Many other factories and plants moved away from the capital. Their education and profession lost their significance. You have to change qualifications quickly, and in the majority of cases your new profession won’t be “prestigious.” Today one doesn’t strive to gain a medal, award or glory.
But despite these problems, we should note that there are no conflicts between ethnic communities, problems are small. Opinion polls show that about 60% think that we have inter-ethnic tension. The number of people who faced it is 5-6%, those who can present instances of inter-ethnic clashes. In fact, it appears we have expectation of inter-ethnic conflicts, and this influences the population.
Migrants who have read these articles feel that they area liens here. Representatives of other ethnic groups, including Russians who traditionally live in Moscow, read that the Caucasians have guns and shoot at every turn. It exaggerates the problem. In general if we consider the situation independently, if someone else shoots from an air gun, the mass media wouldn’t discuss this story for weeks or even months. We analyzed the situation and it turned out that the number of crimes committed by migrants is not as big as it is thought to be. It is equal to crimes committed by local residents. From this point of view we have nothing to worry about except for tension and expectation of this conflict, which poisons our life. People treat each other with tension.
Of course, migration processes increase the cost of living and decrease wage levels. Commercial structures use the situation actively. Many migrants who come here are not ready for such a situation in the economy and in Moscow. It was a common tradition – I will come to Moscow, easily find a good job, earn big money and help my relatives who live back home. When he comes here he sees that it is not so easy, and this causes certain consequences. People begin to find support. Groups are established, including with an ethnic origin. We should say that such ethnic groups are used by criminal structures for their own interests. Direct exploitation of them by some criminal structures is present – exploitation of labor. This has to be regulated.
Many hotheads will suggest very radical solutions, absolutely thoughtless solutions which have nothing in common with economics or common sense - restriction of entering, forbidding from entry, launching institutions of strict registration, separation of the Caucasus, destruction of all enemies, and so on. Of course such calls are stupid and populist. Even serious politicians sometimes go in for such things. Surely any separation of any region is neither beneficial for Russia nor for these regions. Launching quotas, forbidding from entry are unacceptable things. However, you know that Moscow and Russia in general have problems with its labor market, i.e. we lack a labor force. It is not promising to establish some closed area in Russia. You know well examples of such countries – it is absolute nonsense to close a whole society and not to let anyone in. Diplomats and lawyers have such a notion of “retortion”, i.e. you won’t be let in anywhere either, and your capitals will be discriminated against too, if we speak about major commercial structures. Such things are unacceptable.
What should we do in this direction? The work is clear. Today we discuss many documents, including the strategy of ethnic policy. You have read a lot about this, heard the President’s speeches, society has certain expectations – that a lever will be pulled, a law will be adopted, and everything will be settled. There are many people who deal with the issues in practice, and they understand that this is impossible. We have to work hard at approaching people, explaining the situation to them, providing mutual compromises, providing laws and trust to people. This is the only way Russia should follow. We should analyse the experience of foreign countries and our Russian experience. When we try to compare them, we see that Russia’s experience is much more interesting and serious than in any other country. Russia is a place where, traditionally, many ethnic groups live. Moscow is traditionally an international city. To see a man in a skull-cap or a Cossack hat is a natural thing. Nobody has ever been surprised at this. We know the cultures of these countries quite well. They are relatives of ours. At the same time, an element of exaggerating inter-ethnic hatred is present. They present instances of inadequate, wrong, vulgar behaviour by some people – we shouldn’t use the word “ethnic groups.” This is nonsense.
We have communicated with many representatives of the Caucasian peoples, their heads and governments. Firstly, they are irritated by such behaviour too. Secondly, imagine how much money a young man should have to rent a luxurious apartment, drive a Porsche and celebrate a wedding in Moscow. Do you know how many such people live in Dagestan, Chechnya? A couple of them. These are gilded youth, who traditionally act vulgarly; and the task of society is to call them down. Nobody in the Caucasus is against this. Thus, it is ignorance to think that all representatives of an ethnic group are all the same.
What is next for Moscow? We understand that such exchanges will continue, and this is normal, it is a demand of the times. We cannot and should not try to avoid it. We should be happy that people want to come to Moscow and fulfil their ambitions. Employers and the government have a choice – they have an opportunity to invite the best minds, gilded hands, anyone they want. We shouldn’t restrict, we should develop. I would like to speak about young people. This is a weak link in our business. Young people often don't have their formed opinions, firm positions. They do not know their history well – I remind you that our ancestors established the country together and lived in peace and friendship.
Why does anyone try to drive a wedge? There are some forces who are interested in fights all over Russia, but they won’t succeed. But young people like various extravagant deeds. You see them at football matches and so on. Adults and those who have their own opinions cannot understand how one can be a fan of foreigners and not support native clubs. We have to fight against this. The movement is clear, we have to follow the direction and victory is waiting for us.
Today in Russia patriotism of all nations exists, and all nations understand that it is easier to live together. The wisdom of people, the centuries-long experience of inter-ethnic cooperation is an example of behaviour and a guarantee that our country will survive this period and come to the future with a rich past, and as a result other states will learn from us about establishing inter-ethnic relations.
