BESLAN TRAGEDY: PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES
18 June 2005
LOCAL CRIME AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AMONG MAIN REASONS FOR ESCALATION OF ARMED VIOLENCE IN DAGESTAN
Survey results of the Makhachkala inhabitants carried out by the Caucasus Times agency, from June 3 to 10, 2005.
A survey of the Makhachkala residents carried out during the early part of June by the correspondents of Caucasus Times, an information agency, shows that the population of the Dagestan capital connects the escalation of armed violence to both internal and external factors.
In response to a question about the reasons for the recent armed escalation in Dagestan, the people showed a rather broad spectrum of opinions. Thus, 30% of those interviewed see the roots of the current events in Dagestan in local crime and international terrorism; 25% mentioned the spread of war in the neighbouring republic of Chechnya; and the same number connected an increase of violence in the republic with the actions of law enforcement agencies. 23% of respondents think that the aggravated situation is a consequence of religious extremism; and 20% think the reason lies in disagreements between different nationalities. Only 6% were unable to answer this question, which indicates that most of the residents have a firm opinion regarding the reasons for Dagestan events.
Respondents demonstrated larger unanimity when answering the question about the most acute problems in Dagestan. An overwhelming majority (73%) listed social and economic problems (unemployment, low wages), as the most important. According to 63% of those interviewed, security is the biggest problem, including such issues as crime and terrorism. Only 16% consider disagreements between various nationalities as the most critical issues. In multi-national Dagestan this is quite an important indicator as it shows that the majority is much less preoccupied with this issue than with social and economic problems and security. Only 10% focus on religious problems and 4% mention the failure of authorities (the rule of clans, corruption).
Almost half of the respondents (49%) think that the overall situation in Dagestan will not change substantially in the near future. At the same time, their expectations are more pessimistic than optimistic: 28% believe the situation in the republic will soon deteriorate, while only 16% expect improvement.
There is a divergence of opinion about the consequences of elections whereby regional heads are appointed by the Kremlin. Nearly half of those interviewed (49%) stated dissatisfaction with the present authorities and feel this measure can stabilize the situation in the republic. However, 30% adhere to a completely different view, assuming that this will only aggravate the existing problems. A significant number (21%) were unable to answer this question.
