Actual News from Chechnya

News update

Russia and the USA cling to shared stances on the anti-terror cause, says Mikhail Margelov. He leads the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, Russia's upper parliamentary house. Alexander Vershbow, US Ambassador to Russia, has highlighted a link between Chechen terrorism and the Al-Qaida. "Unlike the European Union, the USA remains at one with Russia in stances on key anti-terror issues, including what the Ambassador terms 'the Chechen movement' and post-Soviet Muslim countries' modernisation drive," Mr. Margelov said, by way of comment. After an appalling blast in the Moscow metro, February 6, President Vladimir Putin said Russia was firmly determined to carry on its combat on terrorism, stressed the Senator, RIA Novosti informs. "The Russian top has never doubted international terrorist involvement in Chechnya. It repeatedly offered irrefutable proof of Chechen rebel connection with international terrorist centres, which unblushingly carry on their activities in Europe's principal metropolitan cities and elsewhere," he added. Another evident conclusion can be drawn from Mr. Vershbow's statement-as they recently received Ahmad Zakayev, Chechen separatist emissary, German MPs were shaking hands with an Al-Qaida envoy, said Mikhail Margelov.
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The criticism of Russia's "Chechnya policy" on the part of the European Parliament is often conditioned by insufficient knowledge of the subject, believes Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, RIA Novosti reports. Speaking before the members of the State Duma international committee, the minister said he does not believe such statements are "a deliberate anti-Russian action." "Somebody acts deliberately, but many deputies just don't have enough information," the minister said. In Ivanov's opinion, only cooperation between different departments and structures, through active efforts, can change such an attitude toward Russia. "I don't think diplomacy alone can fulfill this important mission," the minister said. In his opinion, the creation of an objective idea of a new democratic Russia, is possible with the help of representatives of civil society, due to expanding contacts. Ivanov said the Russian foreign ministry intends to contribute to expansion of youth exchanges, contacts between the scientists of different countries. "We have a big reserve for joint work," Ivanov stressed. In his words, mass media, non-governmental organizations and parliamentarians must take part in such work. (more...)

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
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Chechen economics

Chechnya revives its small businesses

The growing business activity is a sign that shows the situation in Chechnya is stabilizing. In 2000 there were 300 companies that were engaged in small businesses. Next year the number exceeded 2000 and last year 3180 small enterprises and more than 10 000 businessmen were registered at the state statistical committee of Chechnya. Their role in the republic's economy has grown in the past years. Farmers produce 35% grain and 80% meat. Small enterprises perform 90% of services and 70% of construction and restoration works. Private companies provide two thirds of passenger and cargo transport. New laws introduced in Russia to promote small businesses also stimulate activity in this area. The registration of enterprises in Chechnya is being carried out at a taxation office as else where in the country. The businessmen get certificate of registration six days after they submitted their documents and permissions to open a bank account. A simplified procedure of taxation has been introduced for small business. A Chechen government committee set up in June 2000 to promote small business and business undertakings realizes the state policy in this area. Republican business center is functioning in Grozny under the aegis of the committee. It helps first and foremost unemployed and trains them how to carry out business undertakings. Last year 780 people completed management and accountancy courses. The government plans to open business centers in rural areas. To train teachers for district business centers, Russia's small business promoting fund has given 300 000 rubles. The republican business center plans to move into a new 260-square meter building in the city center early next month from a rented office. It hopes to help young people who desire to start their own business. Business skills have been highly valued in Chechnya. This is of utmost important since the republic has chosen the creative development path.
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Issue 166
13.02.04

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

13 February 2004  Sernovodsky agricultural technical school trains cadres for Chechen agricultural sector
The Sernovodsky school is one of the oldest of such schools in Chechnya and has just marked its 75th founding anniversary. The technical school is turning out experts in 4 disciplines: mechanization of agriculture, economics and accounting in rural economy, legal business management and land and property relationship. The school has a strong team of teachers, two of whom in 2003, were awarded merited teacher of Russia medals, 4 - the merited teacher of Chechnya medals and 3 of the honoured worker of the professional technical education medals. Until recently the average length of service of the teacher was 20 years but last year with the opening of a new branch of the school, young teachers- graduates of institutions in Grozny, Nalchik, and Vladikavkaz, were hired. The teaching staff number 85, comprising Chechens, Russians, Osetians and Dagestamis, i.e., an international team, said proudly the headmaster of the school, Alautdin Chilayev. There are about a thousand students in the school, including 539 on correspondence tuition. Classes are conducted in two campuses and students live in a hostel, eat in me school dining hall, complemented by several cafeterias. The headmaster of the technical school regards the continuing occupation of the school's dormitory by refugees, as one of the institution's main problems, forcing students from neighbouring regions to rent rooms an d flats at exorbitant rate. That in turn has a most negative effect on students' concentration For several years the school has helped compatriots without a shelter over their heads, revealed Mr. Chilayev but students require a conducive and calm environment for academic work, for in a few years time the level of their education will have an influence on the success or failure of Chechen agriculture. The relevant republican department should tackle and solve the problem urgently, said Mr. Chilayev.
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13 February 2004  Vladimir Putin: Separatist processes continued in Russia for years
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the countrys authorities had for a long time failed to give an adequate rebuff to separatist trends and Russia at a certain point began to lose the attributes of a united state. Separatist processes continued in Russia for years and the authorities failed to provide an adequate response, Putin said at a meeting with his electioneering agents. Those separatist processes received the backing of international extremist organizations and eventually developed into terrorism in the North Caucasus, Chechnya first and foremost, Putin said. After the conclusion of the Khasavyurt deal Chechnya and the Chechen people were left at the mercy of their fate and it might seem to some that the nightmare of the civil war was over. It was not, Putin said. Having felt our weaknesses, the authorities negligence and the low morale of society large gangs of international terrorists in the summer of 1999 went as far as to openly attack Dagestan, Putin said. As a matter of fact it was an aggression to annex territories from Russia and make these territories subordinate to criminal influences. It will be redundant to explain how dangerous it was for the Caucasus and Russia in general. It will be enough to recall the tragedy of Yugoslavias breakup to make all necessary conclusions. Russia has always been a very complex state structure and it required cautious and professional treatment, Putin said. By the late 1990s Russia had begun to lose the fundamental properties of an integral state. The authorities have since had to spend much time and effort to clear away the piles of problems and protect the countrys territorial integrity.
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12 February 2004  US Ambassador: There is a certain link between Chechen terrorism and Al-Qaeda
There is a certain link between Chechen terrorism and Al-Qaeda, US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow said to Itar-Tass. Al-Qaeda has managed to recruit the Chechen movement and use it for the fight against the world civilisation," he said to students of the International University in Moscow. According to the diplomat, the money, weapons and technologies of producing dangerous poisons were delivered to Chechnya from abroad, in particular Al-Qaeda.

Russia - Chechnya

The pre-islamic customs, manifest in farming festivals

The traditional way to celebrate New Year's eve goes way back. The kindling of a new flame was a matter of utmost importance. A new flame was to be burning in the fireplace when New Year's meal was cooked. A long log was put in the fire. Its length determined how long the family would be celebrating. As soon as the log allowed the door to close, a New Year's party, with many good things to eat and drink, with dancing and jesting, could begin. Sooner or later, all logs got shorter, so that every family would sooner or later start celebrating . New Year's logs were prepared in advance: a standing tree, most often an oak, was put to dry. It was a great sin to use fruit trees for this purpose. The ancestors of today's Chechens believed that the forces of evil stepped up action on New Year's eve. They would, for protection, scatter things made of steel in the cattle-sheds and their living quarters. A plentiful meal offered guarantees for the family's wellbeing in the year to come. All creatures, including mice, were to have their bellies full on New Year's eve. Wheat breads were baked. The head, ritual bread was shaped as a circle, with lines radiating from its center. Breads with all kinds of filling in them were baked in addition to the magic one. The eldest member of the family got a square-shaped one while the guests were treated to round breads. Coins, grains of wheat or a spool of yarn might be hidden, for fortune-telling purposes, inside fancy breads. Other fortune-telling methods were applied on New Year's eve. A man was, for example, chosen to spend the night in the sanctuary. He would lie face down and keep his ear pressed to the dirt floor and would, in the morning, try to interpret what he had heard. The same kind of fortune-telling is known in Russia. A Russian village-dweller would go to a crossroads, mark a circle and press his ear to the ground. If he heard a loaded sleigh swish heavily by, next year's harvest would be good. If the sleigh seemed to be empty, the harvest would be poor. Chechens knew a very special method of fortune-telling. They would hold to light a ram's shoulder blade. Spots on the shoulder blade predicted whether next year's harvest would be good, what kind of weather they were to expect and even family developments. A similar method of fortune-telling is known in China. Young girls took advantage of New Year's eve in an effort to find out something about their future husbands. A Chechen girl would bake three very salty little breads. She would put two of them under her pillow and eat the third. The person who gave her, in a dream, a drink of water, was to become her husband. Young people or teenagers would put on their sheepskin coats the wrong side up, and either wear felt hoods decorated with horns or paint their faces black with chimney soot. Such dress parades, as well as the custom of singing carols and begging for penny gifts, are, incidentally, known, till this day, in many countries of Europe and America. But horse races on the third day of a new year are held in Chechnya only. The three winners should be given a horse, a saddle, a bridle, a whip or a piece of clothing. Nowadays, New Year's eve has nothing to do with farming. Neither does it with Islam. People simply get together on New Year's eve to say good-bye to the outgoing year and to welcome in a new and, hopefully, much better year.
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Chechen tarditions

The book "Vainakh Ethics" by Edi Isaev is an utmost important work at a time when the life in Chechnya is returning to normal. Edi Isaev is a historian, Professor at the Chechen State University, writer and publicist directs his book to youth. In introduction he emphasizes: "The norm of Vainakh ethics is the code of wise truths of people that reflects their ideals." The book is educational. It contains the ideas on ethics by thinkers of various people and various times from Epicurus and Confucius A.S. Makarenko and L.N.Toltoi. The second chapter is devoted to ethic norms of Chechens. The third chapter considers in detail traditional family ethic code. The final chapter is devoted to Islamic ethic norms. Materials from the book Vainakh Ethics by Edi Isaev is devoted to customs and traditions of Chechens.
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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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