The Ambassador Extraordinary of the Russian Federation in the Republic of South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev told IA RES about the domestic and foreign policy of Russia and economic and political situation in South Ossetia.
– On 12 June, the Day of Russia is celebrated. What would you like to tell about Russia, its domestic and foreign policy?
– The peoples of the Russian Federation celebrated the Day of Russian with optimism and belief in future. There is an obvious fact that Russia has a sustainable political system. The evidence of this is that every time there is a smooth and democratic handover of power from one president to another. There is a Parliamentary branch of power which is quite efficient. There is a leading party in the Parliament – “Edinaya Rossia”, but it is not a dominating or overwhelming party. It is a mobilizing party concentrating all progressive ideas coming from the Chairman of the Government, political parties and the whole society. Under this consensus in the RF, the Parliament had elaborated a significant set of laws which allows active development of the state. The government headed b V. Putin also works efficiently. I would like to emphasize that federalism in the RF was strengthened. In early 90s, it was a serious problem which cause our concerns in term of preservation of the state’s integrity. Today, the term “separatism” is forgotten and no more in the political rhetoric. All secessionist moves practically disappeared. The reason for this is first of all the significant attention paid by the central authorities to the Russian regions and small people. This is in the tradition of the Russian society. And there is certainly a progress in the economy of our state. It existed if it were not for the financial frauds of American tycoons who suspended our gradual advancement, Russia would be actively developing. The gold and monetary reserves were enlarged, the social situation was improving. I would like to stress that despite the real financial difficulties which were emerging in Russia in relation to the geopolitical dependence of world economies, the RF Government, the authorities, the President firmly hold on this direction. The Russian leadership intends to accomplish all the social commitments which we declared a year or two ago. I should also recall the foreign policy of the RF. Through the last several years, the authority of the RF on the international arena had significantly increased, and the RF deservedly became one of the leaders in the world politics. We bear major responsibility before the people of Russia and before our neighbors, and we believe that we have the right to be one of the world leaders. Russia stands for the situation when none of the states may dictate and be the only center of polarization of forces, be a dictator in the foreign policy. We are for a multipolar world based on geographic, ethno-cultural or other principle. This system, to our mine, is coming to the fore. This is the only rational to ensure world order and security in the world. The proofs of our sustainable role in the foreign policy and our understanding that the RF is one of the major leaders in the foreign policy, was the decision taken in August 2008 to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states after the perfidious attack of Tbilisi regime at South Ossetia.
– On 31 May, South Ossetia had Parliamentary Elections which draw a considerable interest of the Russian authorities and mass media. What would you say about the pre-election campaign and the voting process?
– I would like, first of all, congratulate the people of South Ossetia on successful election campaign. In my opinion, it was conducted in accordance with all democratic rule already in the pre-election period. Four parties which could have symbolically participate in the elections, gained access to elections without any delays. The pre-election campaign was built on a frank discussion. I would particularly point to the role of the South Ossetian president Eduard Kokoity who had a tough pre-election meetings schedule. He has been meeting with the population and openly spoke about the existing problems admitting the shortcomings in the work. The people came to vote partly because they would like to show to the international community that the Republic exists and that democratic fundamentals are developing. The people believed that the leadership of the Republic would do its best to shortly improve the grave situation after the aggression by Saakashvili regime. The perspectives are positive.
–Russian and foreign media are forming an opinion that there is a complicated social and political, social and economic situation in South Ossetia and that the population is at the edge of social outbreak. How fair is this assessment on the situation in RSO?
– It is worth mentioning that assumptions that there is an explosive situation and the population is at the edge of an outbreak, social or psychological, are widely discussed in media. We together with the diplomatic staff of the Embassy are already two months in the Republic. We constantly communicate with the population and see that the people are certainly concerned with the state of affairs in the social sector, with the reconstruction of housing, compensation payouts and allowances. I can assert that the population understands the situation and sees the steps forward. The demolition of houses already started. The next stage is the arrival of construction crews from different regions of Russia to rebuild private housing. As to compensations, as we have promised, the first portion of payments was covered by end of May and the people received the promised amount of around 35 million roubles. A similar sum will arrive in the nearest future as the recipient lists are completed. To conclude with I would like to say that these rumors are exaggerated – there is a normal social and political life. The grave situation is caused by the social conditions in the aftermath of the aggression, but not by somebody’s intentional actions locally. A significant reconstruction work is being carried out now and it will be successfully finished by the beginning of the winter. The people is showing patience while witnessing the obvious developments. This has been proved with the active participation in the Parliamentary Elections.
– South Ossetia is still unable to from its budget through its economic activity, and the population is living for Russian financial and humanitarian aid. In order to settle this problem, investments are needed to develop entrepreneurship, and since we are recognized only by Russia, investments are expected only from the Russian side. But there have been no major changes in this field. What prevents the Russian business from investing into South Ossetia?
– The Russian Federation in planning to continue the policy of providing financial assistance to South Ossetia’s budget in 2009 and the following two-three years for the so-called budget spheres. As to economy development, we certainly put an emphasis on the necessity to revive the economy in order to fill in the budget through local industries. In a longer perspective, in two-three years we are planning to shift from donations to loans to be provided to both Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These are normal relations between states. However we understand that South Ossetia is under specific conditions with no economy and industry as such, which were not undfortunately created by Tbilisi in Soviet times. To revive or create economy here is possible only through investments. A significant work is being done to meet this end by both the leadership of South Ossetia and Russia and Russian regions. Much, if not all, depends on the leadership of South Ossetia. Here, certain rules of the game should be set, necessary legal norms should be elaborated in the customs field and taxation. Security guarantees should be provided which would allow the investors to come here and invest their funds, for business is usually cautious when choosing capital investment spheres. By calls for patriotic feelings we can hardly develop economy. There should be a serious revision of resources of South Ossetia to understand that sectors should be developed. The agricultural sector should be developed taking into consideration the nature in South Ossetia. Small and medium-sized entrepreneurship should be also developed. One should not have illusion that industry giants could be built here which would produce competitive goods. Once again, it is necessary to actively promote SME and we should do it taking into consideration the exclusive working capabilities of the local population. Further on, we will achieve what we are striving for: migrants will return and we will be witnessing the growing prosperity of South Ossetia. As to absence of investments from Russian business, in my opinion, they are not willing to invest in obscurity. It is clear there are no conditions created in terms of legal frames. It is true, business should be protected not only through assurances of superiors of the state, but rather with corresponding legislature which would allow settling disputable issues. Certain time should pass so that businessmen would gain confidence that there is a sustainable power here. One of the positive factors is the Parliamentary Elections. It is necessary to look at needed changes in the executive branch of power. There is no Prime-Minister in the Republic, and the Government Presidium is physically unable to settle all problems. Once there is a clear chain, business will feel that it is possible to work here.
– Concerning the fact that the validity of passports issued by the RF MFA expired, the population of South Ossetia faces a problem with crossing the Russian border. How will the issue will replacing the passports be solved, while the process usually takes long time?
– Upon the decision of the RF MFA, two-three days ago a group of specialists from the Consular Department of the MFA, Federal Migration Service, Pension Fund arrived in Tskhinval with the aim to see how it would be possible to speed up the replacement of old passports and delivery of pensions to prevent breakdowns and avoid any tension around these issues. The Embassy is functioning since 27 April, and the Consulate department is still absent. There is a temporary Consulate office of the MFA in Vladikavkaz. Now we are taking all necessary measures to equip the future consulate department with necessary facilities. From 1 July, we will bring here our diplomats from the MFA to the consulate department to ensure its full-fledge work and I do hope this problem will be settled.
