PRAGUE, 11 February, Caucasus Times – For the first time in seven years, a national convention has been held in Ingushetia. Until now, no conventions had taken place, primarily due to the hunt for the Republic’s former president, Murat Ziazikov, and his entourage.
The convention was preceded by a massive PR campaign; however, the event itself was a locals-only affair, and only Ingush media were allowed to attend. This happened for fairly obvious reasons: the convention raised issues that might have been found unpalatable by the Kremlin and by neighboring republics.
Yevkurov has secured the support of Medvedev, who demanded the strengthening of government authority in Ingushetia. In its organizers’ view, the convention was designed to harmonize the relationship between state and people; however, as Viktor ...