DAGESTAN’S SECURITY COUNCIL SECRETARY RESIGNS.

Dagestani Security Council Secretary Magomed Tolboev has resigned. One of the most authoritative figures in Dagestan, Tolboev says he can no longer control the situation in the republic, which is effectively in the grip of an undeclared war. (NTV, RTR, June 22) A former pilot, cosmonaut and Hero of the Soviet Union–one of the test pilots of the famous “Buran”–Tolboev became secretary of the Security Council two years ago. The Khasavyurt agreements were signed, in large part, thanks to his activity as a mediator between Chechnya and the Kremlin. Tolboev had also succeeded on several occasions in securing the release of people kidnapped by the Chechens.

According to Dagestan’s present constitution, Tolboev is not eligible to run in the June 26 election for chairman of Dagestan’s State Council, because the head of the republic must be elected from among the parliamentary deputies. There is a strong possibility, however, that Dagestan may soon introduce an elected presidency. Were that to happen, Tolboev could be a strong contender.

HEADS ROLL IN TATARSTAN.