Makhachkala, January 22, 2009. At the regular session of the Government RD, the minister for national policy, information and external relations Garun Kurbanov reported on the agenda. As to the minister, the current political situation in the republic is controllable and stable enough.

“The consecutive state policy in the field of interethnic relations promotes development of the process of national identification and integration in a vein of consolidation of society, strengthening of civil consent. Active formation of civil society institutes is in progress in Dagestan. Special attention is paid to information openness of executive authorities: the Internet-portals of the President and the Government RD are available in day-and-night mode. State bodies realize the Program for national policy development in the republic designed to preserve national cultures and interethnic consent” – Kurbanov said.

At the same time, in Kurbanov’s opinion, one of the important factors influencing the political and economic situation in the republic is religious-political extremism. In spite of the certain work done by local authorities and law enforcement bodies, the number of grave crimes of extremist orientation did not decrease essentially. Only in 2008 there were registered about 100 attempts on the life of policemen. 36 employees of the law enforcement bodies were killed, 68 wounded. The activity of unlawful armed formations and extremist organizations is registered in Khasavyurtovski, Untsukulski, Buinakski, Tabasaranski and Suleyman-Stalski districts, in the cities of Makhachkala, Derbent and Khasavyurt.

The analysis of the majority of extremist manifestations proves that criminals and their supporters do not receive worthy ideological repulse. People feel indifference to similar kind of crimes. The problem of ideological counteraction to religious-political extremism still remains actual in Dagestan.

“The Program submitted to your attention has been prepared according to the Governmental Order №281 “On the measures aimed at realization of the Presidential Message to the State Assembly RD for 2008”. It is dictated by the necessity of consolidating efforts and undertaking effective joint actions against the religious-political extremism.

Realization of the program will assist in execution of the Federal law “On counteraction to extremist activity”. Besides, it is expected to enhance the responsibility of the state bodies, local government institutions and law enforcement bodies in organizing struggle with religious-political extremism and preserving law and order and trust of the population to executive authorities”, - Kurbanov pointed out.