The interview was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Yuri SELEZNEV, permanent correspondent of the magazine "Landmark" in the North Caucasus military District

Alexander Leonidovich Chernogorov, Governor of the Stavropol Territory, member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, was born on July 13, 1959 in the village of Vozdvizhenskoye in the Apanasensky district of Stavropol. He graduated with honors from the Kuban Agricultural Institute, and later from the Russian Academy of Management. Candidate of Legal Sciences, member of the Moscow Club of Lawyers. He was the first secretary of the regional Komsomol committee. In the early nineties, he was a teacher of state and legal disciplines at the university. In 1991, he was elected a deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and in the fall of 1996-Governor of Smavropolsky Krai. He has a military rank: Colonel of the reserve. Master of Sports in military-applied all-around, winner of the Russian Championship. He is married and has a daughter.

- Alexander Leonidovich, judging by the press, your activity as governor of the region attracts the attention of not only Stavropol residents. You have both supporters and opponents...

"Yes, it is. By the will of fate, or rather, due to the geographical and geopolitical position of our region, the most tight knots of political, interethnic, economic problems and contradictions are now tied here. Therefore, it is not surprising that our territories have become a place of clash of views and opinions of various social movements and political structures. It's natural. What is more important is that the diversity of opinions does not become a brake on the positive trends that have begun to manifest themselves in the economy, political and cultural spheres of the region's life. The fact that there are such changes is also confirmed by the increased interest in us from a number of well-known international organizations in recent months. Not so long ago, for example, we were visited by a representative delegation of the European Union, which showed interest in cooperation in many areas: the development of the food and processing industry, the implementation of educational programs.

I will express not only my own opinion. Prominent Russian politicians and scientists are publicly talking about this. The effectiveness of the development of stabilization processes in the North Caucasus greatly depends on their progress throughout Russia.

We have administrative borders with eight out of ten federal subjects (except Ingushetia and Adygea) in the North Caucasus, where representatives of more than 100 nations and nationalities live. All this affects the style and methods of work of local self-government bodies, largely determines the nature of the activities of enterprises of various forms of ownership, and makes the regional administration constantly feel an increased responsibility for peace and tranquility not only in the region, but also in the entire North Caucasus.

- How does the region's neighborhood with Chechnya affect its life?

- Our administrative border with it is just over 100 kilometers. It mainly passes through the lands of the Kursk region. Residents of the local villages and villages have to experience almost every day all the vicissitudes of the paramilitary state. Criminal elements that have settled in the adjacent territory often try to solve their problems at the expense of their neighbors. Therefore, we have to deal with the theft of livestock or vehicles, abduction and even murder of people, which, of course, does not contribute to the establishment of good-neighborly relations, and inflames the already difficult situation in this area.

- I do not think that the regional administration and you personally take a contemplative position in this regard...

- It is not only my official duty, but also my human duty, to actively intervene in the situation, closely and actively monitor the development of events. First of all, I want to draw your attention: I am a supporter of the principle that a bad world is better than a good quarrel. Alas, there is no good peace with the Chechens today. Not all is well in other areas of the North Caucasus. The development of separatist sentiments and centrifugal tendencies is often promoted by the cultivation of a stereotypical approach to all the peoples of the North Caucasus, ignoring the peculiarities of their traditions, culture, mentality and geopolitical moods. It is necessary to make immediate adjustments to the policy pursued in the North Caucasus.

At our level, we are doing everything we can in this regard. I am convinced that the strategy of even partial self-isolation in the modern world is obviously losing. That is why we are trying to step up integration processes in various spheres of political, economic and cultural life in every possible way. We proceed from the priority of consolidating the role of the economy in contrast to the methods of force pressure. The single economic space that is being formed in the North Caucasus should gain real content both on the basis of federal legislation and on the basis of bilateral agreements with the center and between the subjects of the Federation. Today Stavropol Territory has 49 such interregional treaties and agreements, including 7 treaties of friendship and cooperation with the republics of the North Caucasus.

As for the measures taken directly to stabilize the situation on the administrative border with Chechnya and develop normal relations, they are as follows. We have created a Council for Economic and Public Security of the region, headed by me as the governor. At its field meeting in the Kursky district, a plan of additional measures was approved to protect the population from criminal encroachments and ensure constitutional order in areas of the administrative border. This is a comprehensive program that provides for priority and long-term measures. Specifically on border protection-up to the creation of checkpoints and protection of bridges. We are also taking other humanitarian actions. Whenever possible, we make personal contacts with the Chechen leadership.

The confrontational position is now in the hands of the extremely radical forces in Chechnya, first of all. If they become complete masters in the neighboring republic, the most gloomy political forecasts may come true. Therefore, we help our neighbors as much as we can. Recently, a delegation of the regional government headed by Chairman S. Ilyasov visited Grozny. A number of trade agreements were concluded. We intend to supply Chechnya with Stavropol products in exchange for relatively cheap fuel and lubricants. There are certain contacts between the law enforcement agencies of Chechnya and Stavropol. Thanks to them, it was possible to release hostages and return stolen cattle more than once.

- It has become common for Russians that Stavropol is not only the breadbasket and health resort of the country, but also the southern outpost of Russia, where military units and divisions of various law enforcement agencies are located. How do Stavropol residents develop relations with them?

- Yes, the situation has developed so that our region has become one of the most saturated regions of the Federation with troops. In Stavropol, every tenth resident is a soldier, and, for example, in Budyonnovsk - every fifth. In total, more than 180 military units are stationed in the territory of the region. We are well aware of the circumstances involved, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that the life, combat training and service of the military proceed in a normal mode. The friendly attitude of Stavropol residents to the military is traditional.

Take, for example, the arrival of the 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade in Budyonnovsk in January 1997. We found out about this decision literally at the last moment, and there was not a single day to hold preparatory events. Imagine the situation: winter, cold, and trains arrive almost in an open field on the outskirts of Budyonnovsk. Assistance to the brigade was provided nationwide. Special headquarters were set up to collect food, warm clothes and shoes, and cigarettes. People were carrying everything they could. Even schoolchildren collected food, and not at the behest of adults, but on their own initiative. The press helped us a lot at that time, and the headlines were full of calls for help from the military. I remember my grandmother calling the local newspaper: "Come and get some jam for the soldiers - I can't walk on my own..." And they took it all to the brigade, some in their own car, and some through the headquarters to hand it over. Even cultural trips were organized for the soldiers, and they helped create living corners in the new barracks, as was the case in the tank battalion of the brigade.

In short, Stavropol residents see the military as their defenders, brothers and sons. A businesslike and constructive approach is the basis for relations between local authorities and military unit commanders. It can't be otherwise. However, not everything is going well here. The fact is that the Stavropol Territory, for various reasons, is more than 80 percent subsidized, and therefore, its well-being and normal life activities are very much dependent on financial revenues from the federal center. We are not able to shoulder the full maintenance of our military personnel.

The Government of the Stavropol Territory and I, as the governor, have repeatedly informed the Russian Government about the difficult situation in which the military units withdrawn from the Chechen Republic found themselves. Issues of infrastructure development, logistics, housing construction, and social infrastructure development remain unresolved for three years. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1590 of November 23, 1996 and the corresponding resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation on the financing of these activities have only been partially implemented. A huge debt was formed to the construction complex of the region for the work performed to equip the troops, which put them in an extremely difficult financial situation. The debt for utilities and fuel exceeds 170 million rubles, and it is constantly growing. Deliveries of bread and food, bath and laundry services and military transportations are carried out at the expense of the region for more than a year. Many businesses are on the verge of bankruptcy, and their tax arrears are growing.

We understand that the military did not voluntarily find themselves in a difficult situation, and we are trying to find a common language with the command. But " this problem "can not be removed, and this is not our task. The State must take care of its defenders.

- It is known that the level of defense capability of a country is determined not only by the state of its economy, the amount of expenses for the maintenance and combat training of the army and navy. The most important condition is the moral and political state of the population, the quality of military-patriotic education. How is this problem solved in the region?

"We believe that the best traditions of military - patriotic education and military-sports training accumulated over decades should not only be restored, but also strengthened in every possible way. For several years now, the unjustifiably forgotten youth sports game "Zarnitsa"has been held in our region again. And at all levels - from the village, settlement to the regional. The order on this is adopted by the Government of the Stavropol Territory. In 1998, about 400 teenagers took part in the final of the Zarnitsa game alone. They competed in knowledge of the history of the Fatherland, competitions in combat and physical training, competitions for young firefighters, passing the TRP standards. And, I must say, the results were quite good. It was necessary to see with what passion the guys competed, with what seriousness they took both the requirements of discipline and the field life.

It is clear that all this was not born from scratch. I am convinced that there is also an understanding on the ground that military-patriotic education of young people is one of the most important state tasks. Not only do we think so, but we also do it. I will turn to the figures: now 127 clubs and associations of military-patriotic orientation operate in the region. 12 thousand boys and girls are engaged in them. In 1998, 300 thousand rubles were allocated from the regional budget to support them. Extra-budgetary funding is also used.

More than a year ago, we resumed youth honor guards at posts No. 1, which are traditionally displayed at the graves of soldiers who fell for the Motherland, and in other memorable places. In Pyatigorsk, on the basis of post No. 1, a center for military-patriotic education of children and youth was created. Practically in all educational institutions of the region there are corners and museums of military glory that unite thousands of young Stavropol residents. Gradually, we are trying to revive the traditions of patronage of the cities of the region over specific military units and ships. So, the Stavropol public established patronage over one of the diesel submarines of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Evidence that our military-patriotic education is not a formality is also the fact that our region has fully implemented the plan for military conscription and recruitment of applicants to military universities over the past three years. According to the command of the troops of the North Caucasus Military District, young Stavropol residents serve more willingly and conscientiously than their peers from some other regions. The fact that our young men have good pre-conscription training, high moral and combat qualities, I have often heard from people who are very competent and knowledgeable-veterans of wars and conflicts in the hot spots of the former USSR. Their union was recently established in Staropolye. Now we support their initiative to erect a monument to their fallen countrymen.

- The government headed by Yevgeny Primakov has repeatedly stated that the most important way out of the crisis is due attention to the real sector of the economy, which also includes enterprises of the military-industrial complex. In what position is the" defense industry " of the region?

- In our territory, in the recent past, there was a developed military-industrial complex, which was an important source of replenishment of the Stavropol budget, one of the main factors for the development of cities and districts. The volume of military-industrial complex production exceeded 300 million rubles, which accounted for more than 12 percent of the total industrial production of the region.

Unfortunately, in the early 90-ies, as a result of well-known political and economic processes, the vast majority of military-industrial enterprises in our region endured ill-conceived reform. The state's refusal to cancel its orders was avalanche-like. In the conditions of a wild market, military-industrial enterprises that have a narrow, albeit high-tech specialization, could not switch to the production of other products. This process was easily predictable, and TV reports about the production of pots on the lines of the "defense industry", where, for example, aircraft engines were produced, were designed for simpletons. However, the leaders of most defense enterprises of the region managed to preserve the main thing: the main equipment, the backbone of qualified personnel, and infrastructure. The safety margin was too great. Even Gaidar's reforms did not completely exhaust it. Thanks to this, our enterprises" Neptune"," Signal"," Atlant"," Impulse " can produce products using the most modern technologies. Of course, there are still not enough orders, but the situation is gradually improving. In comparable prices, 10 enterprises of the" defense industry " of the region have already exceeded the level of production in 1997. If these factories receive not declarative, but real assistance, they will be able to fulfill the role of the trigger mechanism that will launch the entire process of economic recovery. When I talk about assistance, I mean, first of all, implementing a protectionist tax policy in relation to the military-industrial complex, creating favorable conditions for investment, improving technologies and marketing products. The rest of the issues - employment, social sphere, development of applied scientific research-will be solved by them. For Russia, this will be the way out. We have a vital interest in this, because thanks to such steps, the regional budget will be replenished, there will be more funds for solving the most important social issues.

By the way, when the economy of the region goes up, and we seriously hope for this, it will become easier for the military to live. Now, in particular, we have practically no money to build housing for officers and warrant officers, including those dismissed from service. There are just over 3,000 homeless retired people in the region. The State Housing Certificate Program helps out somehow. But the numbers are quite modest. As of October 10, 1998, 45 certificates were issued in the administration and military units. Moreover, 122 were registered as imported from other regions. 118 special blocked accounts were opened with authorized banks, and only 101 of the purchase and sale agreements submitted to the bank for payment were financed by the Treasury. It is easy to calculate that at this rate of allocation of funds, the provision of military personnel in the reserve with housing can stretch for many years. And the cost of housing in comparison with the established amount of payment due to the crisis has increased everywhere.

- Let me ask you a question that, given the specifics of the region, you can't do without. What is your attitude to the Cossacks? What kind of opinions do not have to hear about its role in modern Russian society. This issue is important for the North Caucasus region.

- We are counting very much on the Cossacks. The problem itself is very complex, so I will focus only on some points.

The historical role of the Cossacks in the Stavropol Territory is huge, as is its current potential. Currently, a legal document aimed at supporting the activities of Cossacks in our region is the governor's decree "On state support for Cossack societies of the Stavropol Territory included in the State Register of Cossack Societies of the Russian Federation". This is a specific document, the implementation of which will make it possible to fully use the knowledge, skills and traditions of the Cossacks for the benefit of all residents of Stavropol. The operating range is very wide. It, in particular, includes measures to prepare young Cossacks for military service, as a rule, in units bearing Cossack names. In addition, we intend to involve members of the Cossack societies of the Terek Military Cossack Society in joint activities to ensure the safety of conducting raids by tax and customs officials, protecting the state hunting fund of the region, security activities and many other matters. Now the implementation of the planned plans is already actively underway.

A special topic is the contribution of the Cossacks to the protection of the administrative border with Chechnya. In the Kursk region, we created a unit of the patrol and post service of the police for the protection of public order from among the Cossacks. Now there are about 100 of them. Four million rubles are allocated from the regional budget for their maintenance. The effect is there. The detachment is formed mainly from local residents, and the village residents are willing to provide their fellow countrymen with all possible help and support.

We pay great attention to cooperation between the Terek Cossack Military Society and the Red Banner Caucasian Special Border District. We set a course to ensure that all departments of the Stavropol District Cossack Society were assigned to specific detachments, outposts of the border district. And they not only patronized them, but also prepared their conscripts for service there. Thus, in the future, we can hope for the revival of the traditional linear service of the Cossacks.

- Alexander Leonidovich, how do you personally feel about military service, difficult and not very grateful military work in our times?

- I will say one thing: the day when I took the military oath remains in my memory as one of the most significant. Now it is painful for me to look at the deplorable situation in which the soldiers and officers of the Russian Army found themselves. We will believe in the best and work for it. I think that military work in terms of intensity and responsibility is somewhat comparable to the work of a ploughman - in both cases, a person must have extraordinary patience, hard work, and perseverance. I was born and raised in a peasant family. I am well acquainted with the salty sweat of harvesting strada. I know that a well-cultivated field should produce good shoots. We must all plow and sow our Russian field well and conscientiously. Then we will wait for a plentiful harvest.

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