Actual News from Chechnya

News update

A roundtable discussion on Chechnya under PACE auspices should be held in Russia, Chechen President Alu Alkhanov said in an interview with Interfax on Wednesday. "I believe this would be the right decision for everyone, including PACE," he said. Alkhanov said he had suggested that a roundtable discussion on the Chechnya problem be held in Grozny. "If they don't want Grozny, let's hold it [somewhere else] in Russia," he said. The problem of settling the situation in Chechnya is Russia's internal problem and should be considered on Russian territory, Alkhanov said.
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Chechen militants plant landmines in the fields in anticipation of the sowing campaign, RIA Novosti was told by a spokesman of the Regional Operative Headquarters running the antiterrorist operation in the North Caucasus. According to the officer, to prevent terrorist attacks just like they have done before, federal forces started combing agricultural lands for landmines and improvised explosive devices (IED) planted by the militants. "During an examination of a land plot in the village of Gekhi in the Urus-Martan District, combat engineers found a TM-57 antitank landmine planted by militants. The mine was lifted and taken away, and then it was disposed of in an explosion," the spokesman said. Search for the perpetrators is underway. In addition, an arms cache has been found in the woods on the outskirts of the village of Alkhan-Kala. There were an AKM assault rifle, four hand grenades and seven 120-mm mortar bombs modified for use as IEDs found in the cache. According to the Regional Operative Headquarters, another arms cache was unearthed in an abandoned building at the settlement of Oktyabrsky in the Vedeno District the day before. An 82-mm mortar bomb modified for use as an IED, 1 kg of plastic explosives, two hand grenades and small-arms ammunition were stashed there. Ammunition has been removed and disposed of and the assault rifle was sent for expert examination. (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
(in detail ...)

Chechen economics

The poultry factory in Shali restoring its past fame

Before the 1990's of past century , the North-Caucasian poultry farm in the Shali region was considered the largest in the region. Each year it produced 6 million broiler meat and 15 million eggs. The total employment was 1,200 people. The original plan called for its restoration by the end of 2004. But unfortunately, not everything that is planned is actually carried out. This happened the North-Caucasian poultry farm because of the lack of financing. But its director Ilya Germansultanov is not one to lose heart. From the start of this year its financing resumed. Work is carried on by the general contractor "Balkarstroy" and the sub-contractor involved in this effort is Shali's regional company "Gigant". From the beginning of this year 30 million roubles' worth of equipment has been moved to the construction site. The primary objective is to launch the first complex to produce 240,000 chickens in two pens, an incubator and the slaughter house. The complex will be able to produce monthly up to 6 million eggs and up to 40 tons of chicken meat. Ilya Germasultanov is convinced there would be no problem with sales. The farm will strike agreements on deliveries not only for Chechnya itself, but also for Ingushetia, Dagestan and other regions of Russia. The first complex which is supposed to be commissioned early this quarter or next of this year will employ 150 people. And when the factory is fully completed it will employ up to 700 people from Shali , Kurchaloy, Urus-Martan and Grozny regions. Ilya Germasultanov is convinced that the North-Caucasian poultry farm will decidedly restore its former fame.
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Issue 268
04.03.05

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

04 Mart 2005  Two russian regions plan cooperation
The cooperative effort involves the Shali region and one of St.Petersburg largest districts the Moscow District. A delegation from the Shali region visited the city in mid-February. The Chechen delegation included chiefs of regional administrations and that of the Chiri-Yurt village, as well as chief of regional educational system and chief doctor of the Shali hospital. They brought back the best impressions of the city on the Neva River and of the warm welcome they received there, contacts with city officials and workers of the Moscow District of St.Petersburg. They gave us a warm treatment as to close friends, according to chief doctor Sultan Chapsukayev. And we felt immediately they were not engaged in some public relations efforts, but a candid feeling. The delegation visited a number of educational and medical facilities of the Moscow District, visited factories, toured the citys landmarks, and several museums. Business discussions with officials of the Districts structures proved most useful and they included economics, health care, culture, education, sports and social security. According to Sultan Chapsukayev, they went to St. Petersburg not to beg. Colleagues from the Moscow District, taking note of our situation, themselves offered their help . The visit of the Shali delegation to the Moscow District of St.Petersburg resulted in the signing of an agreement on friendship and cooperation of the two regions. And members of the Chechen delegation believe this is a most useful and timely document, which paves the way for far-ranging and long-term joint work in many directions. Musa Arkunayev, administration chief of the Chiri-Yurt village, is convinced that implementing this agreement will be to great benefit to his village, since nearly all cooperative aspects dealt with in the document extend to Chiri-Yurt. The village has large enterprises, such as cement, silicate , lime-products and stone-processing and their involvement in the economic aspects of the agreement will have a positive effect on their development. The village will also benefit from the cooperation of the two regions in education, health care, and culture. A group of Shali officials are expected to depart shortly for St. Petersburg for upgrading their skills, and exchange of experience with their colleagues in the Moscow District. Musa Arsanukayev hopes that the group will include doctors, teachers, and cultural workers from Chiri-Yurt. And this spring Shali is to host a delegation from the Moscow District on a reciprocal visit. Akhmed Gutayev administration chief of the Shali region is convinced that they will be just as pleased with the visit, as members of the Shali delegation by their acquaintance with the Moscow District. He is also convinced that the cooperation agreement signed in St. Petersburg will benefit not only those two regions, but also Chechnya and St. Petersburg as a whole.
(more News from Chechnya...)

03 Mart 2005  Chechnya human rights setup should not be speculated
The Russian Foreign Ministry points to the hopelessness of attempts to speculate on the human rights situation in Chechnya. The press communique of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has come to hand at RIA Novosti on Wednesday, says that the first round of human rights consultations between Russia and the European Union was held in Luxemburg on March 1. "Representatives of the European Union have received detailed and circumstantial information on the human rights situation in Russia. In addition, the attention of our European partners was again drawn to the hopeless and counterproductive nature of attempts to speculate on the theme of the human rights situation in Chechnya," the Russian foreign policy establishment stresses. Exchange of opinions on the state of the Russian-speaking population in Latvia and Estonia was held on Russian initiative, the communique says. The sides also paid a special attention to problems to be considered at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, due in March-April. "Consultations were held in the constructive and open climate and were marked by orientation towards cooperation," the Russian Foreign Ministry notes. The sides have agreed upon putting such consultations on a regular footing.
(more News from Chechnya...)

03 Mart 2004  Chechnya's oil sector does not work to full capasity
The oil sector of Chechnya is not working to full capacity, Chechen President Alu Alkhanov has said. "Geological prospecting is now crucial. We are making use of only 100 out of the 500 oil wells," Mr. Alkhanov told journalists on Wednesday. Revenue from the oil industry today makes up 70 to 80 percent of the Chechen budget, he said. Chechnya is going to develop the oil industry, Mr. Alkhanov stressed. "Yes, there is a document for operation of Rosneft. But time does not stand still. Rosneft operation is not enough. We want to develop it in quality and in quantity," the Chechen president said. He has proposed sending Chechen oilmen to work in other regions of Russia. "I propose to the federal government that our oilmen go to work in the Tyumen region by the rotation method," Mr. Alkhanov said, noting that it was practiced in the times of the USSR. As regards interaction with regions of the Russian Federation, he said that Chechnya today has very good contacts with Moscow, the Saratov and Kemerovo regions. Good contacts are developing with also Kazakhstan, Mr. Alkhanov said.
(more News from Chechnya...)

Russia - Chechnya

Chechen culture

The fifth filial of Mikhail Y. Lermontov - the great Russian poets museum opened in an ancient house in the village of Paraboch of the Shelkovki Region in Chechnya . The house is nearly 250 years old and it belonged to a local landlord, retired general Akim Khastatov whose wife Yekaterina Stolypina was a distant relative to Lermontovs grandmother Yelizaveta Arsenyevna. The latter visited Khastatovs estate several times. And she took along young Mikhail, whom she raised after his mothers death. In 1837 during his exile to the Caucasus, Lermontov revisited the home of his relatives. In 1841, he went there for the last time shortly before his death. The building has been well preserved. In 1990 restoration work was begun to make a museum of the great poet. But the events of the past decade postponed all restoration work. Fortunately the building wasnt damaged in the course of hostilities. But it is in need of maintenance. The most important thing that its internal architecture, the living room, window shutters and certain items that the poet may have touched, have all been preserved. In 2004 museum personnel was formed. Svetlana Temirbulatova a learned person and a known philologist in Chechnya was appointed the museums director. The employees will be allocated part of the museum as a working area. The employees will engage in search of items and materials of Lermontovs time and complete the museums exposition. As soon as the building is passed over into the Chechen Culture Ministry care, restoration and maintenance work will get underway. Later on it will receive its first visitors.
(chechen culture ...)

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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