Medvedev opposed to clannishness in govt bodies

KOSTROMA, May 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said
he was firmly opposed to clannishness at government or law-enforcement
bodies.
"Protection of fellow citizens is a priority," the head of state said
at a meeting with young parliamentarians on Friday, as he was answering a
question of a Liberal Democratic Party representative.
"Russians should be protected, but to no less extent that other ethnic
groups or nationalities living in this country," the president said.
"The question is whether the existing decision-making system in the
field of appointments to law-enforcement bodies reflects the current
balance of nationalities in the country. I, too, have some questions
here," Medvedev acknowledged.
He underlined that law-enforcement bodies should recruit
professionals, regardless of their names. But when there are doubts that
the personnel at this or that law-enforcement agency were selected by
professional qualities - it's the reason to give it a thought."
He explained that thinking should not run along "government
generalization lines, i.e. somebody is oppressed or a force is forming
which is ousting the Russians or others from government or law enforcement
bodies."
The problem is in the decision-making procedure.
"The problem is in the trivial but all-embracing corruption, when a
community emerges in a given region; but it is taking shape at the expense
of bribes, with a diaspora representative lobbying persons of his ethnic
group for money. It may happen with anyone," the president said.
It has to be fought by all means, because it may seriously aggravate
the situation and make people indignant or escalate to conflicts.The head
of state urged the governors and the political parties to monitor the
situation within legal framework. "You cannot resolve the issue simply by
compiling a list," Medvedev said.