OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 March 2009 was announced, that Head of the Republic of Karelia Sergey Katanandov has delivered his traditional annual report to the Legislative Assembly. However, neither form, nor the essence of the report were traditional.

Official title of the report was On the situation in the republic, performance of the state programs, pursuance of internal policy and external relations of the Republic of Karelia (results of 2008). Constitution of Karelia makes Head of the Republic to report to the parliament every year about work of the executive authority. However, Sergey Katanandov's statement went beyond the scope of the report and its content reminded the address of the supreme official to the deputies and the society.

First of all, in Sergey Katanandov's statement presented the complete picture of the crisis which has stricken economy of Karelia, as well as of Russia, and the evaluation of depth of the crisis phenomena. The situation is estimated as very difficult: it is enough to tell, that from the beginning of the year slump in productiosetback in production n has made 25% as a whole on еру republic, and the budget deficiency in the republic are estimated to make 4 billion roubles. Making no secret of the problems and not underestimating the difficulties, Head of the Republic had an open conversation with deputies and answered their questions.

First, statement of the Head of the Republic was rather a program, than a report. It was even reflected in its timing: only 10 minutes of 35 was devoted to the results of 2008. The rest of the time was devoted to the future – measures the authority to take to help the economy to overcome the crisis, industrial and civil objects to be commissioned in 2009 and in the near future, ideas and approaches to be applied in the sphere of management, finance, taxes, etc. As a whole, it is necessary to note, the forecast of the Head of the Republic is not so bad, as it could have been expected. By the end of 2009 it assumes to bring the level of economy of the republic only 13-15% less than the level of 2008, which was a record year on many financial and economic parameters.

Second, Head of the Republic showed the executive authority's firmness and confidence in own powers. Social obligations of the state, all operating state programs will continue to be carried out. Rates of housing and road construction will be preserved. By means of the federal center the scale and expensive program of the population employment will be implemented, funds for it are already transferred to the republic. The problem of electricity prices will be settled, the prices are being decreased now. The bank sector will work. The guarantee fund is created, by which means support will be rendered to small and medium business. In the public sector wages will be paid regularly and even their growth is guaranteed. And so on – regarding all crisis issues.

This confidence has been, undoubtedly, apprehended by the deputy case and was transmitted to the society.

As a matter of fact, Head of the Republic has called all public forces to put aside all politic tricks and conflicts during the crisis and to unite in solution of common problems, to pass to the meaningful dialogue, cooperation, teamwork for solution of problems facing the society. The authority is ready to listento the opposition, on their reciprocal readiness it depends how fast and with what losses we shall overcome this complex period.

One hour intended for the deputies' questions was not sufficient. However, Sergey Katanandov has promised the deputies to come again soon and talk to them as long as they need to answer all questions.

As a result, by the overwhelming majority vote the Legislative Assembly has taken the report of the Head of the Republic into consideration. The document will be available for familiarization and open discussion in the society and mass media.