In a telephone interview on 14 February 1995, a professor of Russian and east European studies at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, stated that although he could not provide information on attitudes towards ethnic Dagestanis, if there was still a category for nationality on documents such as passports, then "Dagestani" probably would be indicated.

In a telephone interview on 14 February 1995, a professor emeritus of history and political science at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stated his belief that Dagestanis are not a nationality but a conglomeration of nationalities and ethnic groups, and therefore "Dagestani" would not appear on cards displaying nationality.

In a telephone interview on 14 February 1995, the chairman of the Department of Social Studies at the School of Slavonic and East European studies at the University of London, who specializes in Russian politics, stated his view that "Dagestani" is an umbrella group designation that encompasses many nationalities. The word may also be used by those who do not want their specific nationality indicated. In the former Soviet Union it was not possible to indicate a specific nationality, so Dagestani was used as a catch-all category. The chairman stated that it would still be possible for "Dagestani" to be used on documents indicating nationality, but it would now be more common for the specific nationality to be listed.

The chairman added that in light of the Turkic peoples militaristic traditions, ethnic Russians treat Turkic minorities such as the Dagestanis with respect and care. The general population associates the Dagestanis with other peoples of the Caucasus, and by extension views them as being criminals or members of the mafia.

In a telephone interview on 15 February 1995, a senior program officer with the Refugee Policy Group in Washington, which is an independent policy research organization dealing with refugee issues, stated his view that the Dagestanis, as a people of the Caucasus, would be subject to the general prejudice in Russian society toward people from the Caucasus. Peoples of the Caucasus are often called "blacks" by ethnic Russians outside of Dagestan. However, individual Dagestanis would not necessarily be subject to prejudice. Further, within Dagestan, Russians are a minority and would keep their opinions about the Dagestanis to themselves.

In a telephone interview on 15 February 1995, the director of the Moscow office of Human Rights Watch stated that in Moscow there is a distinct anti-Caucasian policy, and people from the Caucasus are resented. The director stated that there have been numerous reports of peoples from the Caucasus being stopped in public by the police, and subjected to interrogation, body searches, detention or extortion.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Chairman of the Department of Social Sciences, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London, England. 14 February 1995. Telephone interview.

Human Rights Watch, Moscow. 15 February 1995. Telephone interview with director of Moscow office.

Professor of Russian and east European studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. 14 February 1995. Telephone interview.

Professor emeritus of history and political science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 14 February 1995. Telephone interview.

Refugee Policy Group, Washington, DC. 15 February 1995. Telephone interview with senior program officer.