A meeting of representatives of the Russian government with the ataman of the Terek Cossack Army Society has recently taken place. It seems that the long period of uncertainty in the lives of the Terek Cossacks might finally end.
Cossacks expected to return to normal life already in the spring of 2014 with the election of Vyacheslav Pilipenko as ataman. People hoped that his experience and personal qualities would allow him to accomplish some things. However, as it happens, due to unexpected circumstances the ataman had to resign. It seems that one of the reasons for his resignation could have been a decision adopted after an April meeting of Cossacks prohibiting to combine federal civil service offices with some public associations' offices.
Who will be the next ataman is up to Cossacks themselves. The presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, Sergey Malikov, believes that a Cossack who is respected by Cossacks has to become the new ataman. He promised to assist with organizing consultations and present a candidate supported by the majority to the head of the Council for the Cossacks under the President of Russia, Alexander Beglov.
A much more important and urgent task is to develop strategic cooperation between the Cossacks and public authorities. In this direction, it is important to develop the organization of the Terek Cossacks in the North Caucasus.
The experience of the Don and Kuban Cossacks who have had long and successful cooperation with local governments by performing a number of socially important functions such as assistance in maintaining public order and with patriotic education. Terek Cossacks have a big potential in this regard. They have a good supply of human resources and many of them are often willing to take the initiative. The enthusiasm they showed during the spring events in Crimea is proof of that. The Cossacks simply need space to realize their potential in the Caucasus.
One of the major ideas voiced at the meeting was to turn Stavropol Territory into a base for Cossack troops. This region will assist the Terek Cossacks and the ataman will become the deputy chairman of the regional government. Sergey Malikov explained that if the proposed model is approved by the Cossacks, he will continue consultations with the local and federal authorities. The role of Moscow in this question is no less critical, and therefore the envoy intends to increase the financial support of the Terek Cossacks with the help of the federal sources. The experiment will become an example to Cossacks from other regions.
Some other specific issues were discussed at the meeting as well: for example, the head count of Cossacks in their temporary residences and the prospects of cooperation between the Terek Cossack troops and non-registry based Cossacks.
All in all, the meeting was constructive, its participants said. A "debriefing" conducted by the authorities after the recent events in Mineralnye Vody where a number of officials were fired has to become an example for the Cossacks in dealing with people who break the law.
Despite a prolonged period of the absence of a leader, the Terek Cossacks are not in crisis. Certainly, some aspects including government have to be changed.
Certainly, one meeting is not capable of solving all the problems faced by the Terek Cossacks. However, it allowed to project clear prospects for resolving the issues and improve the general situation in the troops. When Cossacks and the federal government are ready to move forward together, the Terek Cossacks will become a consolidated and effective force.
