Nalchik/Agency Caucasus – A high court ruling to shut down the Elders’ Council of Balkaria which had been set up as a non-governmental organization in Kabardino-Balkaria propelled ‘Balkaria’ to get organized in Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria soon after it was set up as a new organization of civil society in Russia’s capital city of Moscow to replace the Elders’ Council of Balkaria.
Balkaria was first established in Moscow in 1996 to make contributions to the improvement of the Balkar people’s culture as well as socio-economics. It is officially allowed to have branches both in Russia and in specific States of Common Wealth that host the Balkar Diaspora, as well. Ruslan Babayev, Vice President of Balkaria’s Office in Kabardino-Balkaria, defied rumors of linkage to the Elders’ Council of Balkaria because, he said, Balkaria’s office here in Nalchik was principally yet new.
"Balkaria will act in accordance with the laws to help the Balkar people both to be culturally as well as educationally more improved and to revive their own tradition and customs."
Although Balkaria would try hard to act in the best interests of the Balkar people, Babayev said, the institution would strictly obey the constitution and not assume any political mission whatsoever to accomplish. KU/ÖZ/
