Medvedev urges North Caucasus unity

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called on the heads of the North
Caucasus republics to establish a dialogue "with all the forces
working in the republics." He said this was the "sacred duty" of the
leaders of volatile region's republics.

He also requested human rights groups to refrain from criticizing
leaders in the region, saying that "People are very especially touchy
in the Caucasus." He added that comparing and criticizing leaders would "only do more harm."

The head of the country also supported the idea of calling of a human rights conference in the Caucasus and creating a public council under the plenipotentiary envoy in the North Caucasus Federal District, Interfax reports.

He ordered the presidential envoy in the region, Alexander Khloponin, to create such a structure.