Chernogorov reacts to mass scuffle in Stavropol

Today, Governor Alexander Chernogorov has addressed a statement on the mass scuffle on May 24, 2007, in the city of Stavropol to the heads of municipal formations of Stavropol Territory. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the Governor's press service has issued an official press release on this occasion.

"Needless to say how dangerous are such incidents for our multinational Territory, where every conflict that arises, as a rule, on some domestic grounds develops quite often into a mass collisions between different nationals," Governor Chernogorov said.

"Extremism is many-sided, and its manifestations are usually based on low culture of behaviour, neglect of other nationals' mentality, disrespect of established traditions, intolerance to people of other nationalities and religion. If it is also nourished by certain ideological viewpoints of a certain circle of persons who pursue their criminal objectives, then extremism becomes a very dangerous 'fuel' in hands of persons who can call up, by using modern communication facilities, huge masses of people," Governor continued.

"Unfortunately, we frequently learn about these facts from mass media and, naturally, are late with our reaction," Mr. Chernogorov concluded.

In his opinion, counteracting this sort of incidents is the task not only of law enforcement bodies, but consolidated efforts are needed here of governmental agencies, local self-management bodies, political parties and movements, public organizations, leaders of national and cultural autonomies, and the whole civil society in general.