Whether the Kremlin Guides for Archaization of Caucasus?

Two very indicative personnel shifts took place on Caucasus last few weeks. In the end of February the president of Karachai-Cerkess Boris Ebzeev retired and in the beginning of March operating head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov was elected for one more five-year term. One shouldn't be very smart to understand - the Kremlin is behind both decisions. In the dialogue with journalists the Kremlin employee explained formulation "at own will" which he used leaving post differently - in connection with "insufficient economic and social situation in republic and measures accepted by management of the region for achievement of the goals stupilated by the president of the country". While Kadyrov's nominee was hardly coordinated with federal officials.

It's difficult to understand motivation of personnel decisions of Moscow. To begin with let's look through economic indicators. In crisis 2009 when industrial production in Russia, according to Rosstat, fell to 9,3%, the greatest falling across Caucasus was in the Chechen Republic - 13,1% and the greatest growth - by 9,7% - in Karachai-Cerkess. Thus Karachai-Cerkess then led by Ebzeev who was just appointed entered into five most dynamically developing regions. In regenerative 2010, according to same Rosstat, when the Russian industry as a whole grew by 8,2%, maximum recession across Caucasus made - 11,7% and was fixed again in the Chechen Republic, maximum growth - by 13,9 % - again in Karachai-Cherkess.

Now about situation with terrorism: in the Chechen Republic explosions and armed attacks happen regularly, while here in Karachai-Cerkess - minimum quantity of acts of terrorism among Muslim republics of Caucasus.

At last, about personalities of leaders. Boris Ebzeev - intellectual, the judge of the Constitutional court of Russia from the moment of its creation in 1991 up to the moment of his appointment as the head of Karachai-Cerkess in 2008. Ramzan Kadyrov - politician with rather ambiguous reputation, publicly shows daggers and pistols, declares himself supporter of "blood feud" and admits that he hasn't spoken Russian till 20 years. Besides islamization of customs and attempt of substitution of laws by norms of Sheriat occurs in the Chechen Republic at Kadyrov-junior.

So, there was Ebzeev - intelligent, most economically and antiterrorist successful and on the contrary we have - ambiguous, the most losing in economic and antiterrorist activities Kadyrov. Who of them was sent by the Kremlin in resignation before expiration of four-year term and who was given out new label for boarding?

In my opinion, it actually means that the Kremlin consciously leads to archaization of Caucasus, as well as, actually, to feudalization of all Russia. It's even pragmatic somehow, after all the more backward population is, the more it's inclined to give in to the "wishes" to vote for "Edinaya Russia" or, at the worst, the easier it is to carry out mass falsification in favor of the party in power and its candidates among such population.

Really, parliament of the Chechen republic - is the only one in Russia where 100% of deputies not only came to the session but also unanimously voted for Kadyrov and after all 100% stood up and amicably applauded competing who's louder. No wonder, after all it's actually not the elects of the Chechen people but people who have got to the lists of "Edinaya Russia" and "Fair Russia" at Kadyrov's will (only two parties passed into the parliament of the Chechen Republic in October, 2008: the list of ER was headed by Kadyrov, the list of FR - the vice-president of "Kadyrov's Fund" Isa Hadzhimuradov). That is, as a matter of fact, Kadyrov was supported by his own appointees.

As to local population in one of the polls carried out in 2003 following the request of the Kremlin together with the fund "Public Opinion" and the company "Validata" (http://www.validata.ru/chechnya/elector_pref/elector_pref.htm#Abs3) was asked the question: "Who would you choose the president of the republic, If there were the following surnames in the bulletin for voting: Aslakhanov, Kadyrov, Maskhadov, Sajdullaev, Hasbulatov?" The first place was occupied by the former People's Deputy of RSFSR from the Chechen Republic, the chairman of the Supreme body of Russia Ruslan Hasbulatov with 25,7% of votes, the second - by the Moscow businessman Malik Sajdullaev with 23,3%, then there was one of the heads of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs Aslambek Aslakhanov with 22,4% and the last place among "the pro-Russian" candidates was occupied by Kadyrov's father - 13,1%. Antiratings of candidates were even more interesting: 12-19% didn't wish to vote for Hasbulatov, Sajdullaev and Aslakhanov, for Kadyrov - whole 61,5%! It speaks for itself.

Now the Kremlin is not interested in similar polls. We are simply shown that all there is under construction and restoration, everybody receives new apartments. Though on a site of Rosstat you can find official statistics on which habitation building per capita in the Chechen Republic - is at the lowest level in the country: in 2010 the republic appeared on 81st place from 83 regions on habitation building. Plus there's the highest birth rate that worsens residing conditions even more.

However, there was none picket or meeting against Kadyrov held for last 6-7 years in the Chechen Republic. It's impossible even to imagine such meeting! Political life there is not simply frozen, it's almost forbidden: even the Communist Party of the Russian Federation can print its propaganda only in Kadyrov's printing house (and, naturally, he's being glorified in such propaganda).

As to political situation in Russia as a whole Kadyrov with his policy with inclination towards religious fundamentalism inside the Chechen Republic to some extend promotes splitting off of Chechens from other regions. It's officially "not recommended" to women, even not Moslems, in the Chechen Republic to enter the state institutions without a scarf. The channel "Russia 24" periodically shows broadcasts of the Chechen State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. All women - TV presenters are in scarves. Kadyrov's frequent statements about alignment to Wahhabite Saudi Arabia, the most antidemocratic country of the world won't lead to anything good, it will only strengthen misunderstanding between the Chechens and other people of our country.

Why did the Kremlin make such choice? Probably, it needs a person capable "to control situation" in the Chechen Republic using force (while he "controls" it so that recently terrorists nearly grasped his patrimonial village) and, if necessary, can help his power structures in case of disorders in the country as a whole.

Though Kadyrov - is not the unique nominee meeting such requirements. There are in Russia enough known, respectful and active Chechens. Among politicians - Ruslan Hasbulatov, Malik Sajdullaev, Aslambek Aslakhanov. There are examples also among businessmen not engaged in policy: the president of "McDonalds" in Russia Hamzat Hasbulatov, the president of Moscow industrial bank Abubakar Arsamakov, etc. At last, a lot of leaders of pro-Russian anti-Dudaev opposition of 90s - some tens supporters of friendship with Russia. Some of them were killed by followers of Dudaev or were "former" followers playing now role of "friends of the Kremlin" in exchange for milliard gifts from the Russian budget. The most part of the pro-Russian Chechens found themselves in exile. It's terrible shame for Russia that its friends from among the Chechens - from anti-Dudaev opposition - are out of the game in "the Russian" Chechen Republic...

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