Speaking of the situation in Chechnya, the expert singled out as a "task of paramount importance" the handover of power and resources to republican authorities. "It's not enough to create a Chechen police force and to address security issues," he said.
Tishkov pointed out the need to send in technical specialists and people in the arts, including ones who used to live here. Over the years of military conflict, Chechen society has lost its elite, he explained.
On the other hand, Chechnya will never be able to provide jobs for all of its residents, so it is important that other regions of Russia give employment to Chechens, especially younger ones. Tishkov recalled with nostalgia the Soviet times, when "tens and hundreds of thousands of Chechens would go to other republics for seasonal jobs. When that system collapsed, they all found themselves out of business."
"We should send young Chechens, especially from rural and highland communities, to work in other regions," the expert holds.
Today's press conference at RIA was devoted to the release of an English-language version of Tishkov's book "Chechnya: Society in Armed Conflict."
