Petrov: Kremlin tries peacefully solving problems of Northern Caucasus with the help of Khloponin

The establishment of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NSFD) from some of the regions, which earlier were parts of the SFD (Southern Federal District), with appointment of Alexander Khloponin to the post of vice-premier and plenipotentiary of Russian President in the newly formed District, can indicate an attempt of the Kremlin to reach a peaceful settlement of the complex situation in Northern Caucasus. This is the opinion of Nikolai Petrov, an expert of the Carnegie Centre. However, he, like other experts, notes that the former administrative experience of the new plenipotentiary may be not the primary factor of successful execution of his mission.

"Probably, appointment of Khloponin to the Caucasus is an attempt of peaceful settlement of the regional problems. I'd emphasize the fact that Khloponin is the sixth plenipotentiary, although in a new configuration, but in charge of the republics of Northern Caucasus. And he's only the second one, appointed for really improving the situation," Mr Petrov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Mr Khloponin and the idea of his appointment mean an accent on social and economic development; no serious improvement of the situation in the Caucasus is ever possible without it. It seems to me that the problem is that plans are plans, concepts are concepts, but the problems Khloponin will surely face are not necessarily within these concepts," the expert marked.

"This also refers to power transfer in Dagestan and many other things. Khloponin is a business-manager, a crisis manager, a person who can raise some money - both federal funds and private capitals. The problem is in how he will manage to establish himself before North-Caucasian leaders," he has added.