On Friday, on September, 9th in Cherkessk the constituent congress of the Congress of communities of the Northern Caucasus began its work. As IА REGNUM correspondent informed, at the congress there were delegates from public organizations of Karachaevo-Circassia, Dagestan, Northern Ossetia, South Ossetia, Adygeya, representatives of Kuban Cossacks, 18 public associations of Slavs of the Northern Caucasus.
Opening the congress, the chairman of the Congress Organizing committee Hadzhi-Murat Hatukaev declared: «the situation in the Northern Caucasus worsens every day; the federal center basically acts the role of «fireman». For this reason we consider that creation of a public organ uniting all the peoples of republics of the Northern Caucasus is necessary. Then people will oppose tearing the Northern Caucasus into pieces; will be for integrity of Russia.»
Near the building of the city drama theatre in Cherkessk where congress is taking place, before its opening a picket of approximately 30 person, basically pensioners and students gathered. They held slogans: » For peace in Karachaevo-Circassia «, «We don’t want returning of 1999» (the year of the interethnic opposition in Karachaevo-Circassia, connected with the first presidential elections). Participants of the picket refused to comment to IА REGNUM correspondent what approach such slogans to the congress could have. As soon as the congress has begun working, participants of the picket went away.
