Actual News from Chechnya

News update

A state council can be formed in Chechnya in the end of May, Akhmad Kadyrov, head of the Chechen administration, believes. He said this to Itar-Tass. "This question has not yet been finally settled," he admitted, adding that "permanent work" in this direction is being done with the chiefs of administrations. Certain financial problems do exist, because "such a structure is not provided for in the federal budget." Answering questions, Kadyrov said that "no structural changes" in the Chechen leadership are expected in the near future. They may take place with time, he admitted. According to Akhmad Kadyrov, "there is a desire" to create in Chechnya "two apparatuses, governmental and that of the acting president." But, the creation of such structures is also linked to financial problems, because means for such structural units "have not been provided for in the federal budget, either."
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The Georgian State Security Ministry denies the French Interior Minister's statement that functional centres of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation are located in the Pankisi Gorge, RIA Novosti reports. "Tbilisi has a better view of the Pankisi situation than Paris does," Valery Khaburzania, Georgian State Security Minister, bluntly told journalists on Wednesday. However, he presented no facts on the matter. As it is known, at Monday's meeting of G8 interior and justice ministers in Paris French Minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy said that Al-Qaeda functional centres might have been moved from Afghanistan to Chechnya and Georgia.
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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 aked 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
(in detail ...)

Chechen culture

Cultural events

Preservation of peoples cultural traditions and encouragement of talents, abundant on Chechnyas soil, goes a long way in the restoration of normal life in Chechnya. Nozhai-Yurt district is an illustration for this. There are 24 culture halls and 10 club-houses in the district. Promotion of amateur art activities is a priority. Revival of these activities started in 2000 with the concert dedicated to the Victory Day and opening of the monument for fellow countrymen who perished in the Great Patriotic War. The concert brought together a meager of 18 amateur artists. Now, there are 4 to 5 study groups in each culture hall that handle various trends of amateur art. Nozhai-Yurt is particularly rich with singers. It gave birth to such distinguished artists of the Chechen stage as I. Usmanov, T. Dadasheva, B. Elmurzaev and M. Chakaraeva. They are giving way to hopefuls like M. Abasova, G. Telebitova, brothers Anasov and sisters Dartsuev. Teachers of the four schools of the district are backup for culture authorities. Schools regularly arrange reviews of amateur artists to reveal talented youths. The locals love their artists and gladly visit their concerts. They express their love for art by following Chechen tradition of mutual aid and taking vigorous part in the restoration of ruined culture halls, club-houses and libraries.
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Issue 90
08.05.03

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

08 May 2003  Grozny garment factory is doing well
A garment factory opened in Grozny last January. It has a work force of 150, mostly women. Many employees are professional garment workers who used to sew for tailor's shops and the Fashion Studio of Grozny. There are, among them, younger people who are only learning the secrets of their trade. More hands will be hired with the opening of new shops, in the very near future. Factory director Salvadi Shaikhiyev thinks he will soon have a staff of 200. Eventually, the garment factory will open shop in various parts of Chechnya. Two subsidiaries are already functioning: one in Grozny, the other in Nozhai-Yurt. Their machinery has been bought in Rostov Region. And it is from Rostov's city of Shakhty that the factory is getting fabric for bed linen, army fatigues, doctors' gowns and women's clothing. The factory needs 2000 meters of fabric a day. It has sealed business agreements with a number of customers, including the republican ministry of health care, to sell what it produces. It ships part of what it produces to other parts of the Russian Federation.
(more News from Chechnya)

07 May 2003  Russia-OSCE co-operation in the field of Chechen affairs is progressing
We hope that the OSCE will seriously consider the opportunities of practical support for the measures implemented in the Chechen Republic. Russia is ready to consider particular projects of co-operation in the specified fields, Alexander Grushko, director of the European Co-operation Board of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in a RIA Novosti interview. Organisation's experience can be useful in assistance with organisation of elections, development of the judicial system, maintaining law and order, socio-economic development, including assistance with the return of the relocatees, development of minor and medium business and support of local media. OSCE Assistance Group in Chechnya ceased to exist. However, the discontinuation of its work does not mean ceasing our co-operation with the OSCE on the Chechen issues. Quite on the contrary, Grushko told. The OSCE went to the Chechen Republic twice this March to take part in the international observers' mission at the constitution referendum. We highly appreciate this participation and see it as the OSCE support for the efforts aimed at restoring peaceful life in Chechnya. OSCE ambassador in Kosovo Daan Everts came to Moscow in late April. We held thorough consultations with him at the Russian Foreign Ministry and arranged a special meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic Nikolai Aidinov. We also invited Christian Strohal, Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, one of the oldest specialised OSCE institutions whose purposes include assistance to the OSCE member-states with preparing and carrying out elections. We expect an informative and profound conversation, Grushko told. According to him, "Russia's co-operation with the OSCE in the Chechen direction continues to develop." In his opinion, it is based on two main aspects. "First, the real needs of the Chechen republic and the goals set in the federal target program Rehabilitation of the Economy and the Social Sphere of the Chechen Republic. Second, the OSCE's capabilities, rich experience, expertise accumulated over the history of this important international organisation," said the director of the ministerial board. "I'm sure that our co-operation will be successful and efficient," said Grushko.
(more News from Chechnya...)

07 May 2003  Chechnya Prepares For Victory Day
Chechnya will be widely celebrating Victory Day. 760 veterans of the Great Patriotic War living in the republic will get presents. According to Chechnyas Deputy Labor Minister Imran Iriskhanov, various regions and residential areas will host festive celebrations in honor of war participants. On May 9th eight veterans will obtain small cars Oka. In Grozny the republics military commandment office and the Russian federal force command will organize a military parade on the occasion. According to regional administrator Akhmet Abastov, in Chechnyas second largest city of Gudermes, war veterans will stage a rally. Festal tables will be laid for them. In Shatoi district war veterans are everyones darlings these days. Deputy administrator Ruslan Demelkhanov says if such opportunity occurs, veterans will the first ones to have their homes restored. On May 9th they all will get precious presents. In Nozhai-Urt district the war veterans will gain memorable gifts and some money. The celebrations will bring together the leaders of all organizations and enterprises, including those of the Social Service Center. Officials of the latter regularly visit veterans and help them keep household. The local hospitals chief physician personally supervises how to provide the veterans with medical care and medicines. On May 9th light-hearted celebration will take place in Shaloi district as well. Every war veteran will get presents. Allied Victory over Nazism marked on May the 9th will become a remarkable holiday for Chechnyas both veterans and all residents.
(more News from Chechnya)

06 May 2003  Nozhai-Yurt district rich in talents
Preservation of peoples cultural traditions and encouragement of talents, abundant on Chechnyas soil, goes a long way in the restoration of normal life in Chechnya. Nozhai-Yurt district is an illustration for this. There are 24 culture halls and 10 club-houses in the district. Promotion of amateur art activities is a priority. Revival of these activities started in 2000 with the concert dedicated to the Victory Day and opening of the monument for fellow countrymen who perished in the Great Patriotic War. The concert brought together a meager of 18 amateur artists. Now, there are 4 to 5 study groups in each culture hall that handle various trends of amateur art. Nozhai-Yurt is particularly rich with singers. It gave birth to such distinguished artists of the Chechen stage as I. Usmanov, T. Dadasheva, B. Elmurzaev and M. Chakaraeva. They are giving way to hopefuls like M. Abasova, G. Telebitova, brothers Anasov and sisters Dartsuev. Teachers of the four schools of the district are backup for culture authorities. Schools regularly arrange reviews of amateur artists to reveal talented youths. The locals love their artists and gladly visit their concerts. They express their love for art by following Chechen tradition of mutual aid and taking vigorous part in the restoration of ruined culture halls, club-houses and libraries.
(more News from Chechnya)

05 May 2003  ase hearings on kidnapping of member of Doctors without Borders mission starts
The Rostov Regional Court (the south of Russia) starts hearings of the case of the kidnapping of Kenneth Cluck, a member of the Doctors without Borders mission in the territory of the Chechen Republic in 2001. The RIA Novosti correspondent was told about it by press secretary of the court Konstantin Miroshnichenko. According to him, Magomed Gakayev and Ayub Katayev appear before the court. They are accused of complicity in the kidnapping. According to the materials of the investigation, the crime was organised and carried out by a group, which was headed by Abubakar Zhumayev, who was eliminated in the course of the anti-terrorist operation in February of 2002. Kenneth Cluck was kidnapped on January 9th, 2001 and was kept for a month.
(more News from Chechnya...)

Chechen History

Chechen History: Politics, Economics, Culture a new book by a young historian Zarema Ibragimova

The Moscow publishing house PRAVDA has just released a book by a graduate of the Faculty of History of Chechen State University, Candidate of History, currently working on her doctors degree at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Zarema Ibragimova. The book is entitled Chechen History: Politics, Economics, Culture and focuses on Chechnyas history in the second half of the 19th century. It features facts that are based on hitherto inaccessible archive materials, kept stored in Moscow, St. Petersbourg and Vladikavkaz. The author of the 500-page book with numerous illustrations and coloured supplementary sheets describes all aspects of the Chechen peoples life during the involved period in Chechen history, with efforts being made to reach a social and political settlement in Chechnya in the wake of the Caucasus war, as well as to carry out a military, judicial and land reform in Chechnya. The author also speaks at length about agricultural and industrial production and trade, as well as about efforts to promote Muslim and secular education.
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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.
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.
(in detail ...)

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