The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue 71 23.02.03 Actual News from Chechnya News update US Labels Chechen Rebels As Terrorists The US Administration plans to announce shortly details of its decision to put three armed Chechen groups on its black list of international terrorist organizations. Thats what a State Department official told the ITAR-TASS news agency commenting on a statement Secretary of State Colin Powell made in an interview with the Russian TV program, Vesti, that the US has officially included the three groups in the list. When asked about the names of the groups, an American official said details of the decision will be revealed shortly after consultations with governments of proper countries. Among the latter, of course, is Russia that has supplied the United States with some documents about the activity of the Chechen groups. During a visit to Washington late last month the Russian Presidents aide Sergei Yasterzhembsky told the media the groups were the Battalion of Suicide Shakhids under Basayev, the Congress of People of Ichkeria and Daghestan and the United Force of Caucasian Modzhahedins, Supreme Military Medzhlis-ul-shura. (more...) Scheffer Points To Russias Readiness To Cooperate With OSCE in Chechnya According to Chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Netherlands Foreign Minister, Yaap de Hoop Scheffer, Russia treats positively the possibility for constructive cooperation with the OSCE in the issues concerning Chechnya. He was speaking at a winter session of the current OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna. In this context, Mr. Scheffer said, he has had talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov. Minister Scheffer said all the OSCE member-states will welcome the normalization of the situation in Russias North Caucasian region of Chechnya. For this the OSCE must contribute to solution of the problem and revival of Russian laws and democratic institutes in Chechnya. OSCE Chairman said the organization must wage uncompromising and active war on international terrorism, human-trafficking, illegal immigration and xenophobia. (more... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=Moseng) Chechen economics Chechnya restores its ecology Fighting in Chechnya caused a serious damage to the republics environment. Burned oil wells have polluted up to 40 percent of the plain area with combustion products and heavy metals. In the years of 2000 and 2001 up to 29 wells burned at the same time. In the past two or three years the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources have carried out ecological investigations on the Chechen republic by also using satellite and aero-photography. The laboratory analysis of 800 samples has made it possible for assessing the ecological situation objectively in the republic as a whole and especially, in Grozny. The experts at the Ministry prepared maps that show the state of ecology. They submitted proposals for re-cultivation and deactivation of the polluted areas to the Ministry of Economic Development. At present the Grozneft Company is carrying out such work in the areas where it received license for oil extraction. The deactivation of the rest of the territory is a task of the near future. The department of natural resources and environment protection is functioning in Chechnya under the guidance of Russias Ministry of Natural Resources. It has a staff of 90 people. The department embraces ecological, forestry and geological services and river transport. Lately, the Russian government has adopted a programme to improve Chechnyas ecology. The programme provides for the deactivation of land and water from oil products, strengthening the banks of the rivers of Terek and Sunzha and rebuilding of the destroyed dams. In addition, the Ministry together with Rodon enterprise has been engaged in uncovering radioactive sources and burial places of radioactive waste in the past several years. The enterprise Rodon is a part of State Construction Committee and is financed by the committee and the Atom Inspection commission. According to the head of Property Ministrys department for control Alexei Abueb, Chechen residents could count on the Russian authorities that the territory would be cleaned. And people would live in good conditions not worse than that in other Russian regions. (more ... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=economeng&row=1) Chechen history The history of Russian-Chechen relations The current conflict in Chechnya is largely rooted in the history of Russian-Chechen relations, which include six stages. The first stage The first stage, which started in the middle of the 16th century and lasted until the end of the 17th century, was marked by a peaceful colonization of the region. That period is characterized by vassal-allied forms of relations between Moscow tsars and elders of Chechen communities. Moscow was trying to expand its influence in the region by political and economic means mainly. The policy was a success and Chechen communities voluntarily (by signing agreements) announced recognition of the supreme power of the Moscow state. The second stage The second stage, which lasted almost throughout the 18th century, marks the beginning of Russia's open military expansion to the North Caucasus. Under Peter I and then Catherine II the doctrine of colonizing the mountain areas prevalent. Though in 1781 oaths of allegiance were officially registered the voluntary submission of Chechen communities bordering on Russian fortresses, the year 1785 marked the beginning of a powerful movement in Chechnya under the leadership of Sheikh Mansur. That was when Chechen people launched an armed struggle for freedom and independence. Sheikh Mansur was the first to make an attempt (still popular nowadays) to unite peoples of the North Caucasus into a single Islamic state. But he failed to do so. The anti-colonial movement started in Chechnya by highlanders spread to other regions of the North Caucasus. Taking part in the resistance were mainly the lower strata . As for the rich, at first they tried to use the peasants movement to consolidate their power in the mountain communities and restore freedom of choice in relations with Moscow. Soon afterwards, they got scared of the growing anti-feudal movement of Sheikh Mansur and in a number of cases even joined Russian troops to suppress the mutinous peasants. The first imam of North Caucasian highlanders fought tsarist troops for about six years, but suffered defeat. Sheikh Mansur was captured in 1791 and died in the Schlusselburg Fortress. (more... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=historyeng&row=2) Chechnya: news | arguments | facts 21 February 2003 President Putin: less federal troops in Chechnya The number of federal troops in Chechnya will decrease, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier today at a meeting of the army officers. He specified that the downsizing would take place consistently, depending on the situation. At the same time, he said, the republics law enforcement agencies and the police will be beefed up. They will play main role in ensuring security in Chechnya. The President singled out the role of the armed forces in stabilizing the situation in Chechnya. The situation in the republic has changed dramatically, people are returning to peaceful life, he said. President Putin thanked all those who participated in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus and who are now doing their service with honor in Chechnya. (more News from Chechnya http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=diaryeng) 21 February 2003 The plan of reconstruction of the Chechen capital is approved The population of Grozny, according to census, is estimated at 207 000 people and this number will increase to a half a million in the future. State institute for designing cities took this into account when it worked out the conception of reconstruction and development of the city. The document has already been approved by the government commission in charge of restoration of Chechnyas social and economic area. The director of the institute Mikhail Grudinin who presented the project at the commissions meeting in Grozny said that three transport circles will be organized in Grozny like in Moscow and the city will consist of boulevards. All this is on the plan. Grozny has already rebuilt 15 municipal houses and more than 3 000 private houses. This is very little, of course since up to 70 percent of housed were destroyed partially or fully during the fighting. According to Groznys mayor Oleg Zhidkov, the housing programme for last year was failed to realize in full since some of money had to be used to repair houses affected by floods. The mayor believes that it will take about ten years to rebuild the Chechen capital. The builders have to do various kinds of works, such as the dismantling of buildings unsuitable for restoration, the removal of debris and the preparation of the territory for construction works and the laying of pipelines, heating systems and power lines. So far people in the city have no much comfort. There is even a shortage of water. In this circumstances some people offer a basket of cold water for 50 kopecks and hot water for one ruble at the entrances of houses. Nevertheless, the number of residents is increasing since refugees return home. The refuges are being settled in temporary accommodation centres, similar to that of family hostels. Its Chechen tradition to help relatives and friends. Sometimes two or three families related to each other live in one unharmed house alone. Though this is uncomfortable, people have got used to it. Like in other cities, the price of houses in Grozny increases constantly. Two years ago a three-room flat in Grozny was sold at 3 000 rubles, now it is no less than 5 000 rubles. The reason is that people believe that their houses would be rebuilt. This means the city has a future. (more News from Chechnya...) 19 February 2003 Buvaisar Saitiev rewarded with a car Russian athletes proved to be undoubted favorites at the 14th Ivan Yarygin grand-prix free-style wrestling tournament that took place early in February in Krasnoyarsk. Foreign wrestlers managed to beat Russians only in two weight divisions of the 14. The tournament bears the name of a two-time Olympic champion, the first president of the Russian wrestling federation Ivan Sergeevich Yarygin, native of Krasnoyarsk region. Sport fans have a good memory of Ivan Yarygin as a man of an exceptional talent and Siberian might and kindness. He earned applauds at many overcrowded terraces across the globe for his spectacular performance. He was an idol for Soviet-era and Russian youth and had an unconditional authority with his sport mates. It has become a rule that who wins the Ivan Yarygin tournament, becomes world champion or an Olympic medal-winner down the road. Krasnoyarks hosted more than 300 top male and female wrestlers from 18 nations, including Russia, the United States, Turkey, Japan, Greece, Finland, Mongolia, China, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Latvia and Azerbaijan. The Russian team featured Chechen athletes among others. According to general opinion, of all final bouts, the one with participation of the 74-kg-division Buvaisar Saitiev, favorite of Russian fans, was the most impressive. He fought with Magomed Isagadzhiev from Mahachkala who beat B. Saitiev at the last years championship. The audience waited for revenge. And they got it. Regular time of the bout ended with 2:0 in Saitievs score. The referee called cross clinch, which brought defeat to Buvaisar at the hands of Magomed at the last championship. Buvaisar held on this time around and his opponent unclenched arms. Saitiev won with 3:0. Under the decision of the Krasnoyarsk governor Alexander Hloponin, Saitiev was rewarded with the Toyota Corolla car, special prize of the tournament. The 66-kg-division Zaur Bataev won silver in a fight with North Osetian Irbek Farniev losing 4:1. The prize fund amounted to 80 thousand dollars, what is two times more than last year. Gold winners got 5 thousand dollars and silver winners 3 thousand. At the closing ceremony, Presidential envoy to the Siberian federal district Leonid Drachevsky pointed out to great importance of the tournament. Besides sports importance, this competition has colossal educational meaning for the young. The cause initiated by Ivan Sergeevich Yarygin moves on and the tournament under his name is gathering momentum, he said. (more News from Chechnya...) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chechen culture | Architecture Architecture The Arghun museum and conservation area and its landmarks The Arghun state conservation area of special historic and architectural interest, founded in 1988, includes historical, cultural and nature monuments located in the upper Sharo-Arghun and Chanti-Arghun Rivers. It embraces over 150 settlements of several hundreds of living and fortress towers of various states of preservation, some 20 cult buildings, over 150 half-underground and above-ground tombs. Experts dates these the period from 10 to 15 centuries AC. Many architectural complexes of the area, including Khoysky, Khimoysky, Pachoksky, Maistinsky and Zhekaloysky, are mountainous tomb settlements of the late Middle Ages. A hundred years ago the Arghun gorge was called a gorge of towers. Three citadels stood at the Shatoi gorges entry. Over hundred towers were situated along the Chanti-Arghun gorge up to the border with Georgia. They were situated in such a way that, standing at a tower, the one could see a fire place in a window or in an arrow-loop of another tower. Likewise, Chechens signaled military threats or learned about enemies approaching. For centuries the Arghun towers have been damaged. Yet Chingizkhans chronicles wrote about a war with those living in the towers and the destruction of these buildings. Hundreds of towers were badly damaged at the 19-centrury Caucasian war. Towers stone was used as building material. They were purposefully being ruined in the course of the Chechen deportation in 1944. Interior departments troops blew up many of them. Yet over the last decade the unique building were also attacked and destroyed. According to the director of the Arghun museum Sahid Saratov, for many towers are situated in hard-to-reach regions, it is impossible to detect the exact number of the architectural monuments ruined. It is known, however, towers in the villages of Sharoi, Khildekha, Khoi and two towers in Makazhoi have been damaged as well as fortress towers in the villages of Dera and Shatoi. The Ushkaloy tower, a traditional pilgrimage place, was also partly ruined. It is situated on the Arghun River bank in a rocks hollow-way that serves as its ceiling. The tower is a unique monument both by its architecture and location. Now it is being restored. Numerous original architectural monuments have been preserved on the areas territory. Each of them amazes by the ancient building skillfulness and towers endurance allowed them to stand over centuries. A special commission for detection ruined monuments and further restoration has been set up in the Chechen republic under the Chechen Vice Prime Minister Batizheva. (in detail ... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=carchitectureeng&row=1) Religion in Chechnya Islam in Chechnya Penetration of Islam into Chechen and Ingush tribal communities in the 13th 15th centuries was accompanied by peoples consolidation on the confessional principle. As official religion, Islam was first adopted in Simsim kingdom in the south-east of Chechnya in the days of the Golden Horde. The Islamic state, which was situated on the territory of present-day Nozhaiyurt and Gudermes districts, was an ally of the co-religionist Horde, whereas residents of south-western communities (Myalkhs, Melkhistintsys, Lam-Akkis) stayed Christian mainly and adhered to Adat a code of unwritten laws. Islam was adopted by people outside the control of the Golden Horde that called themselves Nashakh freemen community, as they moved on to flat areas. Though the Golden Horde had fallen, Islam had struck deep roots at the foothills of the Caucasus due to its moral laws, social justice and civil freedom that proved more attractive than adat law. Though, in many provisions Adat and Sharia turned out to be allies. Hence , allegations by some Chechen authors and atheist scientists that Islam was taken up by Chechens comparatively recently, are groundless enough. That most Chechens were Muslims back in the 15th 16th centuries, is indicated by the burial rite. The period, to be more exact, 1405-1406, marked the construction of the first known monuments of Muslim architecture the Borg-Kash Mausoleum near the village of Plievo in Nazran district. The mausoleum was erected in honour of a certain Bek-Sultan, son of Khudainado. Intensive penetration of Islam was facilitated by the economic, cultural and political ties between Chechens and Ingushes and people of Kabarda, Kumykia, the Crimean Khanate, Ottoman Turkey and Shakh Persia. In the 16th and 17th centuries Veinakhs established closer economic, cultural and political ties with other peoples of the North Caucasus professing Islam. The mere historical development pointed to the inevitability of Islam taking root in the region and that was an event of historic importance to the mountaineers. With the development of flat areas, farming, cattle-breeding and trade were boostingand people became conscious of the good points of Islam. Legends have it that the first preachers of Islam in Chechen community were Termol, Bat and Bers. They say the sermons brought about all sorts of reaction. And this is understandable, since the history of other peoples and countries knows only too well what difficulties might arise with the adoption of a new faith. As for the highlands, Islam was slow to spread. At the beginning the new religion was taking in age-old traditions trying to adjust to them. Quite often, around family vaults there appeared stelas that were erected over Muslim graves of relatives, who had departed from the old funeral rites but maintained links with pagan kinsmen. An amazing monument of the 16th 17th century is a Muslim tower in Makazhoi community on the border with Daghestan, designed for saying Muslim prayers. Especially famous is a mosque near Etkala village, not far from Itum-Kale in the Argun gorge. The grand mosque was built in line with traditional Islamic architecture. But the minaret is shaped like a miniature, typically Veinakh war tower with a stepped pyramidal roof and narrow loop-holes. Ancient pagan traditions made themselves felt in the ornamental design of gravestone stelas, some of which depict items that in pagan days were buried together with the deceased national costumes, decorations, belts, footwear, daggers, sabers and pistols. Some bear images of people, animals and birds. There is a suggestion of olden times about stelas depicting human beings. Patterns of this sort go back deep into the centuries.All that, however, did not prevent Islam from becoming the Veinakhs dominant and only religion in the course of the 16th through early 19th century. The first big leader of the national liberation struggle was shepherd Ushurma from the village of Aldy, where the Grozny fortress was built later on. Later Ushurma became known under the name of Mansur (the Victor). Mansurs religious and political program got the approval of the clergy of not only Chechnya, but of Daghestan and Azerbaijan. The years 1785-1791 in the North Caucasus were marked by turbulent developments connected with the name of Sheikh Mansur. The wave of popular uprisings subsided in 1791, following the arrest of the mutinous Sheikh. Later on, in the times of Shamil, the main advocates of Islam in Chechnya were Shamil himself and his chiefs. In the middle of the 19th century Chechnya saw the appearance of Sufi Islam, otherwise known as muridism (from murid disciple, follower.The Sufi teaching was propagated by the famous advocate of the principle of non-resistance to evil with violence Sheikh Kunta-Khadzhi Kishiev. But Imam Shamil and his men came to hate Kunta-Khadzhi for his speeches against the war and calls for peace and non-violence. 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