The interview was conducted by Colonel Viktor SAYDAKOV, a senior permanent correspondent for the Siberian Military District.

Alexander Alexandrovich Surikov was born in 1940 in Murmansk. He began his career in 1957 as a worker on the construction of the Kuibyshev Hydroelectric Power Station. In 1959, he enrolled in the Saratov Polytechnic Institute, from which he graduated in 1966 with a degree in bridge and tunnel engineering.

After graduating from the institute, he came to Altai. He worked as a foreman, a foreman-builder, the head of the Zavyalovsky road construction site, From 1969 to 1976 - the head of the road construction department ? 3 in the city of Aleysk.

From 1976 to 1985, he was the head of the Altaiavtodor association. In 1985, he was elected Deputy Chairman of the Altai Regional Executive Committee, and in November 1990, he was elected General Director of the Altaistroy construction and industrial concern. In August 1991, he became Chairman of the Altai Regional Council of People's Deputies. In 1996, he was re-elected as Chairman on an alternative basis.

In December 1996, A.A. Surikov was elected Head of the Altai Territory Administration. He is a member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Tax Policy, Currency and Banking Regulation. He is also a member of the National Council of the Central Bank of Russia.

Lieutenant Colonel of the reserve.

- Alexander Alexandrovich, each of the Siberian regions has its own unique features. The Krasnoyarsk Territory is often referred to as the energy region, the Kuzbass is known as the coal basin, and the Novosibirsk Region is considered the scientific center of Siberia. What are the characteristics of the Altai Territory? What is its unique feature?

- Altai is called many things, and people admire its beauty, its vast wealth, and its amazing people. It is called the pearl of Siberia, the Siberian Eldorado, and the Siberian Switzerland, but it is difficult to define its industrial and economic essence in a few words, perhaps because the region developed relatively harmoniously until the early 1990s. The economy was dominated by industry, with many powerful and promising enterprises. Agriculture was also on the rise. I would like to point out that while we are currently celebrating a gross grain harvest of three and a half million tons, in the early 1970s, we harvested ten and a half million tons in some years.

Historically, it was the case that for a long time there was a uniform development of various industries. After all, here, in the fabulous Belovodye, with abundant pastures and fertile chernozems, those who had been feeding from the motherland for centuries were eager to come. These were land-poor peasants oppressed by the authorities, schismatics fleeing to Altai, and later, settlers who arrived during the Stolypin reform. Here, amidst the marvelous nature, they truly found what they were looking for.

On the other hand, Altai was a desirable place for those who were looking for minerals, precious metals, and ore, and it was at the very origins of industrial production. It is no wonder that one of the legendary Demidovs, Akinfiy, turned his attention to Altai, and it was his initiative that led to the establishment of silver-smelting and other factories.

This development of our region was determined by the unique landscape of the region, which includes mountainous taiga with deposits of rare metals and ores, abundant wildlife, honey, and forests, as well as flatlands that transition into the Kulunda Steppe.

Nevertheless, the agricultural sector was the most important. This sector began to grow rapidly after the development of virgin lands in the 1950s. Currently, the Altai Territory has 11 million hectares of agricultural land, including 7 million hectares of arable land. The main sectors of our agriculture are grain production (2.6 million hectares of hard and strong wheat, which accounts for 11% of all crops in the country and half of them in Western Siberia), vegetable production, and livestock farming. By the way, our region is the second largest producer of high-quality cheese in Russia. We are also the only region in Siberia that grows sunflowers, soybeans, and sugar beets. We have 60 rural districts, 723 rural councils, and 1,640 rural settlements.

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In response to the question, I focused on agriculture in more detail because the significant share of the agricultural sector in the region made the economic situation in the Altai Territory quite challenging during the ill-conceived reforms. It is no secret that there is a perception in the upper echelons of power that agriculture is a "black hole." No matter how much money is invested, there is always a lack of return. Indeed, it is difficult to expect immediate results from the land. It requires constant hard work and expertise. We need to take real care of those who work on this land. We need guaranteed wages, good equipment, modern technologies for soil processing and cultivation, and a sufficient amount of fuel and lubricants. All of this requires capital investments. However, no one wants to invest. It is not profitable for those who expect huge profits from every financial transaction.

Nowadays, people often ask me, "What happened before?" They say that the peasants in Altai didn't live well, but it wasn't noticeable. When the Soviet government stopped providing financial support, everything came to an end...

I categorically disagree with this opinion. Until 1991, there was an increase in all areas of agriculture in the Altai Territory. The well-established structure worked almost flawlessly. Of course, there were some shortcomings and issues on the ground, but these were corrected as life went on. Our farmers began to get used to a normal life, knowing that they would have a secure retirement and that they had guarantees for their work, education, and a decent life. Migrants from other regions came to our villages. And then there was a collapse. No guarantees, no future. A farmer grows a crop, but the price they get for it is so low that it's better not to sell it at all. There are no investments. SBS-Agro is bankrupt. They're even willing to put their livestock to the slaughter. They're doing it to survive. They have to pay taxes to the federal government, and then beg for transfers from the same taxes.

This is just a small part of the problems that currently exist in agriculture, and it's not just in our region, but throughout Russia. You might ask, "What does this have to do with the army?" The answer is that it's directly related. Our future defenders of the Motherland are born and live in these conditions, and their ideas about what they will defend in the future are shaped here. The economic foundation of the country's defense also depends on these factors.

- Nevertheless, the past year has shown that even in incredibly difficult conditions, it is possible to achieve good results. In agriculture, the region has seen a significant increase in production in almost all areas, and a good harvest has been achieved...

- Of course, three and a half million tons of grain is not the same as ten and a half million tons. However, the weather has put a lot of strain on our farmers. In addition to the prolonged drought, we have been plagued by the invasion of locusts from Kazakhstan. Despite these challenges, our agricultural sector could have achieved even greater growth if the country's executive branch had been more stable. The frequent changes in government have led to fluctuations in agricultural policies. Given the catastrophically low level of investment in rural lending, it can be said that the peasants were working in a very stressful environment.

Nevertheless, our pig population increased by 17 percent, our cattle population increased by 8 percent, and our sheep and poultry population increased by more than 22 percent. Overall, we managed to end the year with a profit of 600 million rubles. We would like to continue this trend in the future. We are also pleased with the growth rate in industrial production. Last year, it was one of the highest in the country.

- I would like to discuss this in more detail. Apparently, the Altai region's industry has largely "left" the defense sector, which is typical for Siberian regions. Have the enterprises that were affected by the conversion been preserved?

- There's a whole bunch of problems here, as they say. Not all of them, of course, but many of our 455 large and medium-sized industrial enterprises have grown from 100

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factories that were evacuated during the war. In the early 1990s, these were unique enterprises with unique equipment and technologies, and as a result, they produced unique products such as the BMP-2 and many others. However, the deep conversion, which was initially a well-intentioned initiative, died before it could be realized. The program failed due to a lack of funding and the usual lack of progress.

Meanwhile, 12 enterprises in the region are involved in the production of military products. This involves approximately 30,000 people, which is about a tenth of the total number of employees in the industrial sector of the Altai Territory. During this period, dozens of new civilian production facilities were established, and over 300 new products and items were introduced. These include washing machines, centrifuges, electric mixers, televisions, telephone sets, car radios, kitchen and dishwashing machines, power tools, medical devices, and more. The share of civilian products in the total production of the Altai region's military-industrial complex has been steadily increasing, reaching over 80% in 1999. Among these products, there are some that are truly unique. For example, microcrystalline cellulose, mini-factories for producing sea buckthorn oil and sugar, high-mobility tracked vehicles based on the BMP-2, asphalt layers, soil-processing complexes, and more.

Nevertheless, the results of the conversion in the Altai Territory cannot be considered satisfactory. The enterprises faced serious difficulties during the conversion process. Many of them still do not have clarity regarding their status and role in the state's defense sector. This is primarily due to insufficient funding for both the conversion programs themselves and the existing defense facilities. For example, in 1998, out of the total amount spent on conversion in the region, which was 59.5 million rubles, only 5 percent was funded by the federal budget in the form of subsidies and salaries, while the rest was funded by the enterprises themselves. Is this normal? Is this government-approved?

According to the results of 1998, every second enterprise of the military-industrial complex of the region received losses from financial and economic activities in the amount of 50.7 million rubles instead of profits, and they are essentially bankrupt. The slight revival in 1999 at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex due to the receipt of orders should not deceive anyone. Once the operation in Chechnya is over, a decline will inevitably follow, as one-time individual orders will not make a significant difference. It is necessary to completely change the attitude towards the "defense industry" on a national scale. The main drawback here is the lack of tactics and strategy, as well as a management system for various aspects of conversion, inadequate funding, and a lack of a legal framework, especially for implementing conversion programs. According to experts, the current stage of conversion is characterized not only by a decline in production volumes, but also by the loss of high-tech capabilities, which has negative consequences for the country's defense capabilities. Therefore, it is important to avoid being overly impressed by the latest helicopters, super-tanks, and super-aircraft that are being showcased on television. These are almost the only examples available!

At the end of my answer, I would like to make a remark about modern technologies. It is a common practice in the world that the most advanced equipment and devices are first developed and manufactured for military purposes. Only later are these technological innovations adapted to civilian needs. This was also the case in Russia's military-industrial complex. The most advanced technologies were developed to meet the primary military requirements, and only later were they incorporated into civilian products. It's normal for a state to take care of its defense capabilities. However, in our case, everything has been turned upside down. The main product at the factory is a mixer, and as an additional, auxiliary load, it comes with a state-of-the-art device for a nuclear submarine. This is almost the case across the entire country. It's absurd, isn't it?

- Until recently, a significant number of troops were stationed in the Altai Territory. Due to the reorganization of the Armed Forces, many units and formations were reduced. How did the local population and you personally feel about this?

- There are two ways to approach this problem. From a personal perspective, or more specifically, from a moral perspective. And from a governmental perspective. In the first case, everything is clear. It's a pity that this is happening. After all, who can remain indifferent to the closure of the prestigious military aviation school in Barnaul, which was renowned throughout the country? It was our pride, our glory, and a tangible dream for many young men, many of whom went on to become exceptional military pilots.

In an officer or a soldier, our people have always seen their protector and... a kind of lifesaver. If, for example, a military unit was stationed near a village, it was only natural that the director of a state farm or the chairman of a village council would turn to the military for help in times of need: to bring in hay, to help harvest crops, or to clear snowdrifts from the roads. And they were never turned away. However, the military was always warmly welcomed. We have become so accustomed to this way of life that it feels like a part of us. There was not the slightest trace of falsehood in the slogan "The people and the army are one."

If we look at our problem from a governmental perspective, we can see that the reforms in the army are ill-conceived, to put it mildly. As the saying goes, "Saving pennies, we lose rubles." This is especially true when it comes to the reduction of troops, which is referred to as "organizational and staffing measures." Let's take the example of ideology. In our country, there is almost no ideological support for reforms. Political schools have been reduced across the board. Another example is the reduction of military personnel. Even a complete novice in the field of geopolitical strategy can see how dangerous it is to move from the north of Afghanistan into the interior of our country, and in the Altai region, almost all units have been removed from this direction. We talk a lot about the Strategic Missile Forces as

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They are the guarantors of our defense capabilities, and as far as I know, their cover regiments are being disbanded. But the Topol missiles are not machine guns, and they cannot be deployed in the event of terrorist groups penetrating deep into Russia.

It is also impossible to ignore the fact that one of the aspects of the Armed Forces' reform is the constant attempts to cut back on the budget for the army. At the same time, there is a return to structures that take the form of "armies," and when we add them together, we see that they almost surpass all the structures of the Ministry of Defense. Almost all of them wear paramilitary uniforms, receive clothing, food, and monetary support, as well as various benefits. Why do we need the military uniforms of the Ministry of Emergency Situations? Why do we have such a large internal military force? Is such an inflated (paramilitary!) staff of tax collectors necessary? Or why do civilian prosecutors and judges receive much higher salaries and other benefits than combat army officers? Questions, questions, questions...

- In the Altai Territory, there is a purposeful revival of military-patriotic education. Is it too late for us to realize that the children will be able to return to the moral values that were so thoughtlessly rejected?

- I am sure that without military-patriotic education, we will not have a strong army, and we will not have a strong Russia. Of course, this work needs to be carried out, taking into account current trends. However, we cannot do it in the same way as we are doing it now. Various government agencies have repeatedly announced that they will oversee this area, but it has remained only on paper. As time passes and children grow up, the spiritual vacuum is filled with foreign values, and violence, disrespect for elders, and the forgetting of our country's past take center stage. By the time they are approved, many decrees and other regulations lose the word "military," and instead refer to a faceless, amorphous patriotism that supposedly exists without such fundamental concepts as the protection and defense of the Fatherland.

The regional administration has taken this important area under its care. Together with the Youth Affairs Committee, the regional military enlistment office, headed by Major General V. Rozovenko, and the regional branches of the Russian Union of Industrialists, Entrepreneurs and Workers, a specific program for the military-patriotic education of young people has been developed. Currently, there are 35 military-patriotic clubs in the region, specializing in various types of training, such as general military, airborne, border, and police training. The focus of these clubs is on the harmonious development of young people. In addition to physical training, they also study the history of the country's military glory and the region's history. This work has become especially active in the run-up to the 55th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. By the way, the Altai Territory has produced 330 Heroes of the Soviet Union, which is unmatched by any other region in the country. Clubs such as "Desantnik," "Borets," "Pamyat," "Vityaz," "Rusich," and "Dolg" skillfully use the examples of modern heroes, such as the "Afghan" veterans.quot; participants in battles in hot spots.

By the way, I'd like to mention another pressing issue. The fighting in the North Caucasus is often referred to as the Second Chechen War, but lawmakers remain silent about the social protection of this group of young men, our children. We need to ring all the bells and urgently determine the status of those who have fought and continue to fight in Chechnya, otherwise we risk losing another generation.

- Alexander Alexandrovich, did you ever wear a soldier's greatcoat?

- It's not much, just one month during the reserve officers' training after graduation. It's not enough to experience the salt of military service, but for a sensible person, it's enough to understand how difficult and harsh the life of a person in uniform can be. However, in our country, this understanding comes to a person during their childhood, in their family. My father fought in the Great Patriotic War, and so did my uncles. Some of them died, and one was severely wounded. When a person is brought up in such an environment, how can you think badly about the army, especially now, when it is difficult for it. My soul aches both for the army and for Russia. I always say to my children: "We need to serve the motherland." One of my sons fulfilled his military duty, the other, however, did not have a chance to serve, but in general, the Surikov family did not disgrace itself in military affairs.

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