Actual News from Chechnya

News update

Policemen found and withdrew two homemade explosive devices in the attic of a house, which is being built in Mairtup settlement (Chechnya's Kurchaloi district), a source in the Russian Interior Ministry's temporary press center in the North Caucasus told RIA Novosti. Each device was made of 20 kilograms of plastic explosives, four electric detonators and a remote-control unit, the source said. Criminal proceedings were initiated. Policemen are checking builders.
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Russia is planning to cut its troops in Chechnya by 3,000 within the next three months, interior troops commander Vyacheslav Tikhomirov said. At present, Russia keeps a 70,000-strong group of troops in the republic, Tikhomirov told a news conference at the Itar-Tass agency. The situation in Chechnya is quite favorable to warrant troops cuts. The activity and effectiveness of the use of interior troops has been enhanced 1.5- to 2 times after the Interior Ministry took over the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya. Alone in 2003, the interior troops carried out more than 400,000 special measures that influenced the situation in the Chechen republic, the commander stressed. Thus, the crime rate in six regions of Chechnya has decreased 14 percent. Even though we understand that not all issues have been solved, I am as a commander sure that we will solve the existing tasks, Tikhomirov said. He added that the Chechen Interior Ministry was not yet fully ready to take over the anti-terrorist operation. "We welcome the initiative by the Chechen Interior Ministry, but we can't make it shoulder full responsibility," The general noted that the operations headquarters considers the possibility of transferring the operation under Chechnya's control and that the regional department would certainly take over in the future. According to Tikhomirov, interior troops are being equipped with new armoured vehicles and weapons. He praised the Tigr and Vodnik armoured cars for dependable performance in wooded and highland areas, saying they helped reduce to the minimum personnel losses during combat missions. Commenting on the coming into service of new models of weapons, the commander stressed that all brigades and separate units are fully equipped with the state-of-the-art small arms and ammunition. The recruitment of servicemen under contract and newest weapons helped avoid losses during movements of convoys, patrols and special operations, Tikhomirov said. The General noted the importance of resolving the problem to provide housing to servicemen, which he said might be expected by the year 2007 if Russia introduced an accumulative-mortgage system. He said servicemen support the housing measures, which the president proposed at a conference with heads of law-enforcement agencies and other departments concerned. If the law on mortgages is approved, the officers serving under contract, will feel its effect as early as this year, according to Tikhomirov. At present, the number of servicemen needing apartments reaches 12,500. "We provide housing for 1,500 ensigns and officers each year," he noted. (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

Small businesses get a boost

The Chechen government is giving much help to the local businesses, which it sees as crucial for achieving much-awaited political and economic stabilization in the republic. Last year the number of small businesses soared to more than 3,000 compared to just a handful only three years earlier and there are more than 10,000 business people without a legal person status now at work in Chechnya channeling an estimated 500 million rubles in tax money to the state coffers. The small businesses are helping the state and the state is fully returning the courtesy opening, among other things, a republican business center to train business managers and entrepreneurs. The center that opened doors in Grozny earlier this year is headquartered in an all-new office building. Similar centers will soon be opened in Gudermes and also in the Skelkovskoy and Shali districts, all paid for by the republican government. This year the Chechen budget will, for the first time, earmark easy loans for the local small businesses. To apply for such a loan, one is supposed to submit a detailed business plan to a relevant government committee. More than 700 such business plans have already been put forward. The loans are not very big but they are still enough to get your business started. Small-business loans are also coming from the federal budget and this year the Antimonopoly Ministry will hand out 3 billion rubles in such easy loans to get private regional businesses going. Minister Ilya Yuzhanov (?) Chechen businessmen are first in line to get them. Chechnya also wants the local businesses to be insured by the federal governments small business support fund.
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Issue 178
29.03.04

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

29 Mart 2004  Centers opening: a significant event
With the help of the Russian social organization Walking together Detsky Mir - Childs world, the first and only one so far of such a Center, was on March 2 opened in Grozny, the capital. It was a most memorable event for the republic and the Center quickly became popular among the Chechen youths. The Child world is located in one of the most ruined regions in the capital-Baronovka. The center is a three-story building with a fitness hall, a library, a cinema hall, a boxing ring and most importantly, a computer hall having a round the clock Internet license. Moreover, there is provision for the teaching of school subjects such as English and Russian languages. Instruction is by members of Walking together organization, who have been to Chechnya several times and who have some teaching experience. Those wishing to upgrade their language skills and to use the opportunities offered by the Center are many and the timetable is usually filled up for a whole week in advance. The leadership of the Chechen branch of Walking together has pledged to open several of such centers throughout Chechnya to help at least a small segment of the republics children to develop culturally and physically as well as to rest and interact with peers through the Internet.
(more News from Chechnya...)

29 Mart 2004  Audit Chamber is dissatisfied with inspection results in Chechnya
In accordance with the recent inspection in Chechnya the Russian Audit Chamber have claims to officials in Grozny as well as in Moscow. This was disclosed by Russian Audit Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin during the Orange Juice program on the NTV channel. Mr. Stepashin noted that the situation concerns the embezzlement of 68 mln. rubles (approximately 2 mln. euros) and serious violations of the legislature in the course of competitions, held to distribute the rights to conduct state purchases for the needs of economical and social restoration in Chechnya. According to him, approximately 40 officials of the republican as well as of the federal levels are involved in the embezzlement. Facts concerning the no-purpose use of the financial allocations were registered as well. "The allocated means on the construction of schools were spent on the financing of the Terek football club," Mr. Stepashin said. (The club, which played in the first division, was only formally representing the capital of Chechnya and mostly consisted of the hired athletes. Last year the Terek (named after the river in Chechnya) had all chances to qualify for the Prime League.) Mr. Stepashin also noted that none out of the 150 facilities under construction were put into operation. Only 2,000 out of 47,000 families were provided with housing. However, the current situation owes not to someone's "ill will" but to the lack of the proper control, Mr. Stepashin believes. "Mr. Popov resigned (due to his disagreements with President Kadyrov), the proper control doesn't exist, military actions continue," Mr. Stepashin said. The Chairman of the Audit Chamber binds great expectations with the appointment of Sergei Abramov on the post of Prime Minister, who had previously headed the work of the Audit Chamber inspection in Chechnya and before that was the Republic's Finance Minister. "We have sent Mr. Abramov there with the concept of social and economic development. It was Mr. Kadyrov, who asked us to work out the concept," Mr. Stepashin said. Answering on the question, if the Russian Audit Chamber had any claims to President Kadyrov, Mr. Stepashin said that "there is no information on the involvement of Mr. Kadyrov in the embezzlement."
(more News from Chechnya...)

29 Mart 2004  Kadyrov proposes anti-terrorist center of Russian Moslems
Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov has proposed to set up an anti-terrorist center of Russian Moslems and to adopt a law on prosecution of religious extremism. There is no such a law at present, and we cannot detain them [the extremists] for spreading Wahhabite ideas, Kadyrov said at a public forum of the Caucasus and South Russia. The anti-terrorist center of Russian Moslems could appraise serious incidents and their belonging to religious extremism, and explain that Islam and terrorism have nothing in common. Kadyrov also thinks it necessary to regulate the system of muftis. The Caucasus had four muftis in the Soviet period, and now it has 50. Kadyrov, a former mufti, thinks, the religion must have only one leader, just like Alexy II. Nowadays every region has a mufti, and that is confusing. He has found a way to support muftis in Chechnya. They are on the payroll as consultants and advisors, he said.

Russia - Chechnya

Chechen traditions

A legend says that the ancestor of all Chechens - Nokhchuo - was born with a piece of iron in one hand and a piece of cheese in the other. "Grace seldom rests on places unfrequented by guests," "a guest brings joy,""the longer the guest's way to your house, the more respect you owe him..." Many sayings, legends and fables focus on the sacred law of hospitality. The villagers are most hospitable. Every coutryside family has a special guest room that is always kept clean, with clean bed linen, in a word, ready for a visitor. No one makes use of this room. Even the children are forbidden to play or do anything else in this room. Every family must be ever ready to serve the guest a meal. Chechens used to set aside a special stock of food supplies for this purpose. No questions are to be asked of a guest in the first three days of his visit... He is considered a privileged member of the family. In the olden day, the daughter or daughter-in-law of the head of the family would even help him to take off his shoes and overcoat. The guest enjoys the warmest reception at meal times. A Chechen must risk his own life to protect the life, honor and property of his guest. This is one of the basic rules of Chechen hospitality. The Chechen code of conduct says guests should offer no payment to the family they stayed with. A guest may only make a present to the children of that family. The ancient rules of hospitality were obeyed regardless of circumstances. Any good man, regardless of his ethnic roots, merited a warm reception. There is a direct connection between hospitality and greetings. To greet someone, Chechens open up their arms, that is bare their heart for us to see that they neither hide mean intentions nor plan any evil.
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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.
(more about chechen traditions...)

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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