President of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov demanded that federal enforcement agencies immediately vacate civilian facilities and agricultural lands they are occupying.
Photo: Valery Melnikov
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Ramzan Kadyrov Frees Chechen Lands
President of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov demanded on Saturday that federal enforcement agencies immediately vacate civilian facilities and agricultural lands they are occupying. Officials have been instructed to act through the prosecutor’s office and courts against any that are uncooperative. Federal representatives are shocked at Kadyrov’s approach and say they could have “come to an agreement nicely.” Kadyrov was speaking at a meeting of the republic’s ministers and heads of cities and districts. The recurring topic of returning civil facilities occupied by the military was discussed. Federal representatives, who were to take part in the discussion, ignored their invitation, which added to the stridency of the tone at the meeting.
According to the Chechen administration, the area occupied by military totals more than 30,000 ha., causing a loss of more than 8 billion rubles in the last eight years from the nonuse of those facilities. “Every month, the republic incurs a loss of more than 15 million rubles, since most of the land is not used for its intended purpose,” reported Chechen Minister of Property Relations and Land Use Supyan Lechkhadzhiev, who noted that the federal forces occupy 10-15 times more land today than in Soviet times. First deputy prosecutor of the republic Nikolay Kalugin suggested that the Main Military Prosecutor of Russia should audit the use of funds allocated to the units stationed on the territory of the republic for rent payments and compensation for damages caused to the republic by the nonuse of the lands occupied by the military.
Head of the press service of the Temporary Operative Group of Forces in the North Caucasus Nikolay Baravin told Kommersant that the problem “that was spoken of at the meeting exists,” although he sees no reason for a conflict between the military and civil authorities. “I cannot speak for Defense Ministry structures,” Baravin said, “but the heads of the police precincts are in constant contact with representatives of local administrations. We are discussing and deciding question of the return of civilian facilities with them.” A spokesman for the Unified Group of Forces in the North Caucasus said, “What are these accusations about? We aren’t refusing to pay rent for the land if the law requires it.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 21, 2008
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