According to articles published in the Los Angeles Times on 22 November 1992 and in Moscow News on 8 July 1992, the Republic of Dagestan has 1.7 million inhabitants and over 30 ethnic groups. The Dagestani population is made up of the following main ethnic groups: Avars 27.5 per cent, Dargyns 15.6 per cent, Kumyks 12.9 per cent, Lezgins 11.3 per cent, Russians 9.2 per cent and Laks 5.1 per cent (Los Angeles Times 22 Nov. 1992).

The attached articles published in Moscow News of 6 May 1992 and of 24 June 1992 and by TASS on 5 May 1992 report that the current conflict between two Dagestan ethnic groups, the Kumyks and the Laks, is related to a decision taken by the third Dagestani Congress of People's Deputies to build a new residential district for resettling Laks in the valley near the village of Karman-Tube. The land is located 15 kilometres north of the capital city of Makhachkala and is considered by the Kumyks as their historic territory (Moscow News 8 Jan. 1992; Ibid. 24 June 1992).

This resettlement scheme is part of the territorial rehabilitation of the Chechens-Akkins (Moscow News 8 Jan. 1992; Ibid. 24 June 1992; Ibid. 6 May 1992 ). The Laks are voluntarily returning the land of the Novolaksky District to the Chechens-Akkins, who were deported from the area in 1944 (Ibid.). After the Chechens-Akkins' deportation the land was "forcibly populated" by the Laks (Moscow News 6 May 1992).

The article published in Moscow News on 8 July 1992 reports that the Chechens have grown tired of waiting and have tried to speed up Laks' resettlement plan "by unleashing violence."

For further information on the above subject, please refer to the attached media reports.

Additional information on this topic could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

References

Los Angeles Times. 22 November 1991. "Soviet Union; Mother Russia." (NEXIS)

Moscow News. 8 January 1992. Olga Glezer and Mikhail Shevelyov. "No Ethnic Problems in Daghestan?" (NEXIS)

_____. 8 July 1992. Vladimir Gubarev. "Deterrence Factor a la Daghestan." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 June 1992. Vladimir Gubarev. "Land to Farmers, Peace to Peoples." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 May 1992. Lyudmila Leontyeva. "Treaty Signed Problems Remain." (NEXIS)

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 5 May 1992. Gadzhi Shamov. "Ethnic Conflict in Daghestan May Trigger Armed Clashes." (NEXIS)

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 13 May 1992. "Ethnic Violence Threatens in Dagestan." (NEXIS)

The Independent. 5 July 1992. Tony Barber. "Nations Battle for Moscow's Lost Empire." (NEXIS) Los Angeles Times. 22 November 1991. "Soviet Union; Mother Russia." (NEXIS)

Moscow News. 8 January 1992. Olga Glezer and Mikhail Shevelyov. "No Ethnic Problems in Daghestan?" (NEXIS)

_____. 8 July 1992. Vladimir Gubarev. "Deterrence Factor a la Daghestan." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 June 1992. Vladimir Gubarev. "Land to Farmers, Peace to Peoples." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 May 1992. Lyudmila Leontyeva. "Treaty Signed Problems Remain." (NEXIS)

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 5 May 1992. Gadzhi Shamov. "Ethnic Conflict in Daghestan May Trigger Armed Clashes." (NEXIS)