Magomedsalam Magomedov: "In all times the people of Dagestan were strong in their unity."

Magomedsalam Magomedov: "At all times the people of Dagestan were strong in their unity."
The second shift at the All-Caucasus Youth Education camp "Mashuk 2010" starts in Pyatigorsk. The president of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov. shared his vision of achieving inter-ethnic unity.
-Magomedsalam Magomedalievich, in your opinion can such a place as this camp "Mashuk 2010" strengthen friendship between the republics in the Caucasus?
- Agreed, that is a rhetorical question. The Caucasus is a big family of peoples and I am sure that the basis of friendship and mutual inter-ethnic and confessional understanding is formed in the years of childhood and youth. May I remind you that the president of Russia also noted the importance of teaching the young in the spirit of internationalism and spoke for the creation of such a camp for gifted and talented young people. Such meetings and communications always stay in the memory. Even more - they will help personal and social development. I hope that young people becoming older will create a world where there will be no place for wars and conflicts.
-Several dozens of nationalities live in Dagestan. How do you manage to avoid conflicts with such a "neighborhood"  The experience of Dagestan can be useful to all of the Caucasus.
- Dagestan is really unique with its national diversity of languages, cultures and traditions. More precisely, about 120 peoples professing Judaism, Christianity and Islam leave peacefully on our land. At all times they were strong in their unity and mutual help. Together, they fought when the safety of the republic was in danger. The citizens of Dagestan have the same moral benchmarks, one history and the same destiny. The republic is at peace as a result of long periods of living together, of solving difficult questions in negotiating and the similarity of cultural and spiritual traditions. And the tight bonds with Russia.
Our unique culture is constructed from the specific characteristics of the Avares and Aguls, Kumiks and Dargins, Rutuls and Tates, Nagaices and Kabasintces, Lactes and Lesgins, Russians and Azerbaijanis, who have had the possibility to think, create, protect and pass on moral and spiritual qualities to future generations.
The question of enforcing inter-ethnic agreement has always been paid a lot of attention. A Ministry of national policy is functioning; a program of developing inter-ethnic cooperation is being realized. Papers and magazines are published in 14 languages. Regular national TV and radio programs take place. In the towns of the republic 9 national theatres stage plays. National holidays and festivals, national song contests and amateur art exhibitions are held. Weeks devoted to all-Russian student friendship take place annually, and the inter-university festival "Peace to the Caucasus" is now a tradition. I can continue giving examples. We really have something to talk about, but in my opinion it is much better to see everything with your own eyes. Come to visit us.
- What can the participants get from the informal communication with the presidents by the fire with camping tea and porridge from a kettle?
- I think it would be more correct to ask what the presidents get from such communication. They cannot often allow themselves the informal atmosphere and the unique smell of the fire. All of us need such meetings. Essentially, you, my friends, are given a unique chance to broaden your vision of the Caucasus , its peoples, their relationships and enrich your knowledge. You can voice your ideas, present projects, speak to the heads of different regions, deputies, journalists and businessman (often right by the fire).
- At the last "Seliger" conference, parliamentary deputies were sent in T-shirts with the phrase:  Want to become a deputy  Ask me how.  Can presidents share their experience of how to become a president?
- Concerning "Seliger", I know that one such t-shirt was bought by the future president of Russia, Dmitri Medvedev, and that the author of them was a young designer, Antonina Shapovalova. And about how to become a president... I can say that the most important thing is not to become, but to be. If we try to formulate it in two words, we get hard work and readiness to take responsibility. There is no other recipe, I think. Of course the personal qualities of a man play an important role. If a job is done responsibly, it will bring a result. And I think that you will agree with me, that an educated person in constant search will manage to get a high result. The main difficulty is to hold on to this result.
- Can you wish something for the participants?
- Of course I would like to wish luck to all the people for whom this camp was the first serious trial of their creative skills, a test of their knowledge, skill and abilities. Among them the ability to make friends and feel the arm of a friend. On the eve of the celebration of the Day of the Flag of Russia, our symbol of unity, I want to wish all the organizers, participants and guests of the camp luck, success, peace and prosperity.