Actual News from Chechnya

News update

The Chechen leadership has set up a special fund under the Council of Veterans of Law Enforcement Bodies that will help detain and liquidate rebels, as well as avert acts of terrorism, member of the Federation Council from the Chechen Republic Akhmar Zavgayev told Tass. "Work on the fund's regulations is nearly complete, and a number of issues concerning its interaction with the Russian Interior Ministry is in the phase of co-ordination," he said. At the same time he said the fund would not pay ransoms for hostages. Chechen entrepreneurs will be sponsors of the fund. The fund's organizers also intend to cooperate with the Association of Workers of Law Enforcement Bodies, which is headed by State Duma deputy from Chechnya Aslambek Aslakhanov. "The fund has not so far decided on the amounts of money it intends to pay for information on bandits' whereabouts, but for information on bandits like Basayev or Maskhadov it intends to pay a significant sum. It is a question of hundreds of thousand U.S. dollars," Zavgayev said
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More than 200 Chechen refugees returned to Grozny after living for three years in a tent camp in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, a spokesman for the Chechen refugee community said. The Chechen authorities provided buses to bring the refugees and their belongings and settle them provisionally in a former university dormitory in Grozny, Magomed Gidizov said, as quoted by the Interfax news agency. "This is the first instance this year of such a large-scale return of refugees," Gidizov said. Russia last year ordered the closure of the tent camps in Ingushetia to which tens of thousands of Chechens had fled in the wake of a massive military intervention by Russian troops in October 1999 aimed at ending a separatist insurgency. The authorities said they would persuade the refugees to return to Chechnya voluntarily. The large majority of the refugees have returned to Chechnya, although accommodation in the shattered capital has proved a major problem. Earlier this week, the Russian minister for Chechnya Stanislav Ilyasov said after a visit to the five temporary accommodation facilities set up in Grozny that three of them were substandard and refused to approve them, Interfax said.
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Chechen history

Chechnya | Questions and answers

This pamphlet is about Chechnya , a Russian territory which has witnessed the most tragic events over the past decade. The book is the latest update on the Chechen Republic . And this is very important, since a lack of fresh and accurate information about events in Chechnya generates many distorted conceptions and rumours - both within and outside Russia . For example, that Chechen society is allegedly inherently alien to Russia , that pro-Russian elements in the republic are marginalised; and lastly, that Russian power structures are fighting the Chechen people, rather than armed bandit groups. The reality, however, is that only with the return of the legitimate authorities are villages and towns being restored, children going to school for the first time in many years, and pensioners receiving long-forgotten pensions, i.e. a social rebirth is underway. Lying ahead are a referendum on a new Chechen constitution, and parliamentary and presidential elections. These votes will be held, despite continued attempts by bandit groups and their leaders to scupper the process of normalisation in the republic, the latest terrorist act being the bombing of the republican government building. The war being waged by Chechen separatists against federal forces and more often than not against their own co-citizens is by no means a "national liberation struggle of the Chechen people", but an episode in the overall offensive by international terrorism on the fundamental principles of modern civilisation. The facts show that being a part of the Russian Federation in no way threatens the Chechen Republic 's cultural identity, the free use of its own language, and preaching Islam. On the contrary, it was during de facto "independence" from Russia that the Chechen people suffered a humanitarian tragedy on an unprecedented scale. Hostage-taking, the slave trade and plundering came to form the economic basis of the new regime, while chaos and war became the form of its political existence. We want to emphasise once more: Chechnya is part of Russia , geographically, politically and civilisation-wise. So a hypothetical triumph of radical Islamism on its territory would be anti-historical. Such a development would signify the establishment in the midst of Europe of a Taliban-like regime, with all ensuing consequences for the international community. The corporate author - journalists of the Russian Information Agency Novosti - have attempted to be as brief as possible on providing answers to the most-often asked questions (above all posed by a foreign audience) about the Chechen issue. Hence the book's title: " Chechnya : Questions and Answers". It draws heavily on information provided by various Russian ministries and departments that in one or another way are involved in normalising life in the republic.
Russian Information Agency Novosti
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Chechen culture

Music

The modern school of professional music draws inspiration from the richest heritage of folk singing and musical tradition. Melodies, composed by unknown authors who lived a long time ago, are still loved by the people. But the 20th century left us a long list of folk musicians, creators of popular pieces of music.20th century creations are usually named after those who composed and played them. Music sheets exist thanks to professional musicians. The Bisirkhoyev family, Yusup Gadayev, Sesikat Dudayeva, Ibraghim Batayev, Baudin Suleimanov are the best known of the folk musicians. Highly talented accordeon player Magomayev composed the well known "Shamil's Prayer." One day, a legend says, Imam Shamil's forces were trapped. The situation was hopeless. But Shamil got an idea. At first he knelt in prayer, then gave orders to his musicians and, loath as he was of any kind of entertainment, started dancing. His fiery dancing aroused his men. And, in the midst of the dancing, Shamil gave orders for fighting. His men fought like lions and broke the circle of siege. "Shamil's Prayer" consists of two parts: the first is sad and slow-moving, the second makes you want to dance. Composer G.Kh.Melpurnov (1900-1957) did much for the development of professional music in Chechnya. It was on his initiative that a band of folk instruments was formed in 1936. The bandmen played the traditional dechik-pondur, harmonica, zurna, and percussion instruments, as well as the more modern balalaika counterbass and updated adkhoku-pondury. While collecting and polishing Chechen and Ingush folk tunes, G.Kh.Melpurnov produced his own arrangements and original pieces of music.
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Issue 87
23.04.03

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

23 April 2003  Chechnya is getting ready for a spring call-up
A spring call-up campaign is under way in Russia, but young Chechens will not be ordered to join Russias armed forces until May, and now they are getting ready for the call-up. Preparations are in full swing, but, according to Chechnyas military commissar Anatoly Khriachkov, this time the draft will prove not as large-scale as before. Chechen young men mostly serve in local rifle companies at district commandants offices or in commissariat protection platoons. Since quite a few Chechen young men were conscribed in previous years, these companies and platoons will need few soldiers this year. Over 40,000 young men of the call-up age have been registered with the local military commissariats, some of them wishing to be trained as army officers. This year, General Khriachkov says, more than 20 conscripts will apply for military colleges. To carry out the call-up campaign, medical commissions are set up and the network of military commissariats is restored in the republic. Chechnyas military commissar says it is a top priority to re-register the conscripts since many young Chechens have been actually living outside the republic. On the Chechen young men already doing their military service in the Russian Army Chechnyas military commissar said the command is mostly content with the way they have been doing their constitutional duty.
(more News from Chechnya)

22 April 2003  Chechen refugees in the region of Tambov southeast of Moscow: contact, dialogue, respect
In line with the federal constitution, the Tambov regional government is committed to safeguarding ethnic and religious tolerance and equality in every aspect of life. As part of his long-term policy to ensure ethnic and religious harmony in his region, Governor Oleg Betin regularly meets with representatives from about 2 thousand Chechen refugees in Tambov. The latest such meeting dealt with the outcome of Chechnya's constitutional referendum on March 23, with measures to implement a three-month-old Chechnya-Tambov cooperation agreement and with steps to obtain residence permits and find jobs for Chechen refugees in Tambov. The Governor never misses an opportunity to help Chechnya, no matter in a big way or small. His region delivered medicines, school items and seeds to the Chechen Republic. It also invited boys from the Grozny Boxing School to an open championship in Russian martial arts. The guests put up a serious fight and reached close to winning awards. They also visited a number of heritage sites in Tambov. The Governor says that unlike in war or sport, success in building ethnic harmony is achieved by means other than sheer force. Dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for ethnic ways come to the fore. "The region will continue to do everything in its power to build relations with Chechnya and help the Chechen diaspora on its soil. It is determined to contribute to post-conflict reconstruction in the Chechen Republic."
(more News from Chechnya)

21 April 2003  Shelkovsky district is a sports centre in Chechnya
It is no exaggeration that Shelkovsky district is a sports centre in Chechnya. The district has held seven major tournaments this year. More than 200 athletes from all districts participated in a free-style wrestling tournament in the village of Shelkovskaya. The local administration and the branch of the United Russia Party in the district gave the prizes for the winners. Chechnyas free-style wrestling team was formed on the results of the tournament. It will compete at the tournament of Russias southern federal district. Thirty school teams took part in the districts basketball tournament. The secondary school No. 2 won the boys tournament and the school in the village of Sary-Su girls' competition. The boxers have achieved good results too. Boxers in the district twice won the republican championship in Gudermes. When a young boxer from the Shelkovsky district won the Russian championship the district sports committee sent him to Ivanovo for training. He is now preparing for the Russian championship and on its out come he might be included in the national team to participate in the European championship. At the athletics meeting in Chechnya Shelkovsky district won the first place in points. The crystal cup won by the winners was handed over to the head of the district administration Husein Nutaev as recognition of his contribution to promote sports. According to the chairman of Shelkovskys sports committee Lechi Bairakov, the districts immediate aim is to win the republican athletic meeting of youths. All sports groups are preparing for this.
(more News from Chechnya...)

20 April 2003  State Duma Ready to Consider Draft Law on Amnesty in Chechnya
The draft law on amnesty in Chechnya following the adoption of a new constitution has been submitted to the Russian Parliaments Lower House (State Duma) and will be considered immediately after national holidays in May. The announcement came in a statement by the State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev. In a televised address to the Chechen people he stressed the amnesty is guaranteed for those Chechen militants who have committed no grave crimes like murder or hostage-taking. There will be no mercy to those who have earned money by killing people or blown up schools and hospitals, he emphasized. The Russian Presidents aide Sergei Yasterzhembsky has described the upcoming amnesty as the next step towards a political settlement in Chechnya. It can affect many processes of normalization in Chechnya, including political and economic ones, he said. The amnesty is a very crucial public and political move, stressed Mr. Yasterzhembsky, and can become a key instrument of paving the way to peace and stability in the republic. The amnesty must be as far-reaching as possible and concern both the militants and federal servicemen. From the political point of view, however, it mustnt be comprehensive. According to the federal wanted list and that of Interpol, there are about 100 militants who are behind serious crimes. They wont be definitely amnestied. Commenting on the appropriate draft law, Russias Deputy Chief Prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky has said the amnesty will last for 6 months after the draft law is adopted. But if some militants fail to lay arms and surrender within this period of time for this or that reason or a federal serviceman fails to confess he has violated a law, the amnesty term may be prolonged. Each case will be considered individually.
(more News from Chechnya...)

19 April 2003  The UN supports Russias policy on Chechnya
Another attempt to have the UN Human Rights Commission approve an anti-Russian resolution on Chechnya has failed. The resolution, submitted by the European Union and a number of countries seeking EU membership, secured the support of only 15 of the 53 Commission member-states in the voting on April 16th. 21 delegations voted against the draft resolution, which essentially not only fails to help search for political solutions for Chechnya, as the chief Russian delegate Leonid Skotnikov put it, but , strictly speaking, gets in the way of a political settlement by sending a wrong signal to the few opponents of the process. The Russian Foreign Ministry official spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in a comment on the vote that the results are yet another evidence that the world community has been growing increasingly more aware of that the people of Chechnya have made their choice in favour of peace and development together with Russia and have turned their back on terrorists and extremists. The Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Parliaments lower house Dmitry Rogozin said that an odious resolution on Chechnya by the UN Commission would have proved glaring evidence of the double standard policy and would have therefore triggered a strong reaction from Russia. The way the UN Commission voted was to be expected, the Russian Government Minister for Chechnya Stanislav Ilyasov says, since Moscow has been making consistent efforts to guarantee human rights in Chechnya. The process may have sometimes failed to proceed smoothly enough, he said, yet some positive change has been on hand, - the judicial system in Chechnya has again become operational, while the military prosecutors office and the local police have grown much more confident and energetic. The Russian Presidents point man in charge of guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of man and citizen in Chechnya Abdul-Hakim Sultygov described the UN Commission voting as the world communitys long-awaited insight. The United Nations has taught the Council of Europe a good lesson, he said. By refusing to support the resolution on Chechnya, Sultygov said, the UN Commission member-nations made it clear that the world community sees as the more important the currently made efforts to settle the Chechen crisis politically. By voting down the resolution on Chechnya the United Nations clearly provided support for Russias domestic policy.
(more News from Chechnya)

Chechen ethnos

The invasion of Tamerlane

An even more fearsome invader, Tamerlane, followed on the Tartar-Mongols' heels. He had defeated the Golden Horde before making an incursion into the mountainous part of Chechnya and destroying the reviving villages and towns. He did away with the Simsim Khanate of Islamic Chechnya whose ruler, Gayur Khan, was an ally of the Golden Horde. Tamerlane's forces numbered up to half a million fighting men. But in Chechnya Tamerlane met with stiff resistance. And it was only after several attacks by his hundredfold stronger forces that Tamerlane managed to seize control of the mountainous villages. That is why in Chechnya the Lame Timur - Tamerlane - was cruel as never before. He turned the hostilities into a regular bloodbath. Villages were burnt down and razed to the ground both on the plains and in the mountainous part of Chechnya.The ancestors of today's Chechens would not bow down to the invaders. But to fight off Genghiz Khan's and Tamerlane's hosts, they had to bring to perfection their system of defensive installations. The highest density of population, the lack of arable land forced them to take advantage of every mountain slope and every small plateau. They had gained experience in terracing the reclaimable land. They brought soil and humus to their terraced fields and kitchen gardens.Dwelling and defensive towers made of mountain rock, as well as the multitiered crypts of more than 500 "cities of the dead," can still be seen in the mountainous part of Chechnya. Magnificent monuments of architecture are located in the Argunski, Assinski and Dzherakhovski Canyons, and in the environs of the high-altitude lakes of Kazenoi-Am and Galanchozh.
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Chechen history

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.
The third stage
The third stage of Russian-Chechen relations falls on the first half of the 19th century. During General A.P.Yermolov's term as Commander of the Russian army in the Caucasus (1816-1827) military pressure intensifies as Russian troops continue to advance deep into Chechnya. Chechnya responds by stepping up its resistance movement, which, for more than 30 years, was headed by Beibulat Teimiev. Teimiev for the first time managed to unite most of Chechen communities. And he made an attempt to unite mountain people too by concluding an alliance between free Chechnya and feudal principalities of the North Caucasus. Beibulat Taimiev called for a peaceful solution to the conflict and wanted to avoid a big war with Russia. His treacherous murder led to the escalation of military operations.
(more about chechen history...)

Chechen cuisine

"The Chechens, like the rest of the highlanders, avoid extremes in their eating and drinking habits. What they usually eat is chureks or corn bread with mutton lard spread on it, and wheat stew with lard in it; water is their basic refreshment." "...Unleavend wheat or barley bread baked on charcoal, milk and cheese constitute their daily menu; meat is eaten, very rarely, by the richest of the Chechens." That was written about the Chechen eating habits in the 19th century. And it was not until the late 19th century that many vegetables grown in Europe - tomatoes, cabbage, radish - had found their way to the kitchen gardens of mountainous Chechnya. Chechen farming units have, since times immemorial, been self-sufficient, with only spices and sweetmeats being bought at the market. And, although they have become familiar with the cuisines of many other ethnic communities, the Chechen women cherish the very special culinary traditions of their own.
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