Actual News from Chechnya

News update

Chechen police have killed three militants in the Grozny suburb of Prigorodnoye. Unknown attackers fired on a car carrying police from western Siberias Kurgan Region, near the Minutka Square in central Grozny on Wednesday, Chechnyas Interior Minister Ruslan Alkhanov told Tass on Thursday. Four policemen were wounded in the attack. They reported it to the Interior Ministry which launched a pursuit, he said. The minister said the gangsters had been trapped in the Prigorodnoye settlement and killed in the shootout. They were all members of the Argun militant grouping. Identities of two attackers have been established, they are Beslan Uzarov and Aturkhan Tesumov, the minister said. The gunmen, who were hiding in a deserted house, were killed by return fire. A sub-machine gun, a pistol, two grenades and about 100 cartridges for firearms were found at the site of the incident. He also said the destroyed militants had been involved in a number of grave crimes in the republic. An operation to neutralise their possible accomplices is underway in the outskirts of Grozny.
(more...)

The southern branch of the Russian Interior Ministry has neutralised more than 40 active members of bands since the beginning of this year. A source in the Interior Ministry told Itar-Tass on Wednesday that the number did not include gunmen who were captured or killed by local police or in special operations of troops. Workers of the operational search bureau of the Southern Federal District work not simply on so-called infantry; a main goal of operatives are medium and top level commanders. The source cited as example the liquidation of Rizvan Chitigov in Chechnyas capital Grozny two weeks ago. He was involved in the murder of four nationals of Britain and a New Zealander. Chitigov was a so-called emir of the council of mujahiddins of Chechnya and Dagestan. Captured militants have been cooperating with law enforces recently, disclosing sites of arms caches and addresses of members of their bands. Law enforcement agencies are of the opinion that this indicates that most of militants realise uselessness of the armed struggle. Work to clear the region of so-called diehards will be continued, the source said. (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 Nurenergo Workers Have Been Awarded the Businesslike Woman Medals

The world artistic movement and the world assembly of public recognition, which include the representatives of public organizations from 34 countries and workers in the arts , science and culture, have given the Businesslike Woman medals to the Nurenergo workers. Among those who were awarded are the head of the Nurenergo social development and economic activities department Raisa Umarova and the accountant general Lyubov Isayeva. The awarding ceremony took place in Grozny in mid-March. The medal-giver was the president of the North Caucasus office of the world artistic movement and of the world assembly of public recognition A. Betuganov. He said that it is for the first time that the world artistic movement, whose task is to promote the assimilation of cultures of the North Caucasus peoples held such a ceremony in Chechnya. A. Betuganov has given reasons for awarding medals to Raisa Umarova and Lyubov Isayeva, emphasizing that during the former hostilities in Chechnya they worked with great enthusiasm to restore its energy sector and held equally difficult jobs with men. Raisa Umarova graduated from the Chechen-Ingush State Pedagogical University in 1980. In 1987 she graduated from the Grozny Oil Institute. She has the profession of an economist and that of a historian. She worked as a teacher in the Urus - Martan Village, and then as an economist in the State Tax Inspection. She started working in the Nurenergo Company in 1993. She is a good organizer, has much experience in resolving economic tasks and is very good at creating normal conditions for the work and rest of the Nurenergo workers. Lyubov Isayeva graduated from the Grozny Oil Institute as an economist. At first she worked as accountant in the Grozenergo Company and then as accountant general of the energy industry supervising agency (Energonadzor). Since December of 2001 she has been accountant general of Nurenergo. Her colleagues say that she is hard-working and praise her for her high performance, high responsibility, and high professionalism. Everybody knows that she offered great help in the restoration of Chechnyas energy sector. She continues her work to launch the companys economic mechanism. The Nurenergo staff members approved Raisa Umarova and Lyubov Isayevas receiving the Businesslike Woman medals.
(more...)

Issue 278
08.04.05

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

08 April 2005  The Red Cross is to help small business in Chechnya
For several years now the Red Cross has been engaged in various works in Chechnya and according to a Red Cross official there are plans to start micro-economic projects in the republic and involved in the projects will be families who have benefited from humanitarian help. There are some 50 thousands of such in Chechnya. Residents are to submit business plans, describing details of projects relating to the setting up of a mini private enterprise that will bring them regular income and a long term support. The Red Cross plans to give 100 grants to families having their own business plans and projects, thus making the Red Cross help in Chechnya more effective. This much has been said by an official of the Red Cross, Marco Alter, speaking at a meeting with the first deputy to the presidents envoy in the Southern Federal District, Victor Anpilogov during his visit. The project relates to the rendering of help to Chechen citizens, a project which the Red Cross has begun in Chechnya since November of last year. It involves helping the small businessman or woman and its essence is that Chechens will apply to the Red Cross giving details of business plans for the setting up of a private enterprise. Last year, under a pilot scheme, applications were received for the provision of a pop corn making machine and for a device for gas welding. If a business plan is considered promising the appropriate equipment are given out. If a family decides to engage in private business and its business plan is endorsed, such a family is removed from the list of recipients of humanitarian assistance after three months. The Red Cross has been operating that scheme in different countries, like Bosnia. The Red Cross humanitarian efforts are currently concentrated in North Caucasus and the Society is this year spending 26 million dollars, with the lion share of the money being spent on humanitarian help to that region.
(more News from Chechnya...)

07 April 2005  Perpetrator of Several Crimes Ordered By Foreign Extremist Centres Arrested
Adam Jabrailov, 30, who resided in the Chechen settlement of Shali before he got involved in criminal activity, has been apprehended, reported the North Caucasus Counter-Terrorist Regional Operations HQ. Jabrailov was a relative of the most notorious warlords - Arbi and Movsar Baraev, who had strong contacts with international terrorist groups. These bandits were implicated in many murders, abductions of local residents and foreigners. Jabrailov and the Baraevs prepared and committed a lot of terrorist attacks, including the Moscow theatre siege, which caused huge casualties. The HQ noted Jabrailov was involved in an array of crimes, ordered by overseas extremist centres. The most heinous of them was capturing three Britons and a New Zealander, who had arrived in Chechnya to built telephone networks there. The gang issued a $3m ransom demand but shot dead the hostages and decapitated them on Arbi Baraevs order in October 1998. The victims heads were then exhibited on a side of the Rostov-Baku highway. These were not the only crimes committed by Baraevs gang, of which Jabrailov was a member, the HQ advised. They were also responsible for abductions and murders of Red Cross officers. It was them who killed Doctors Without Borders employees. It was them who shelled the polling station set in a Mesker-Yurt school for the Chechen Constitution referendum and killed two military driving in a car half a year later. And this is not the full list of the savage acts the terrorists perpetrated. Preliminary investigation has shown Jabrailov maintained contacts with international terrorist groups, including Arab mercenaries that operated in Chechnya. He is also said to have been a strong advocate of wahhabi ideas. His accomplices are being identified at the moment to face prosecution soon. No matter how long ago they perpetrated their crimes, there is no way any of the bandits can get away with what they did.
(more News from Chechnya...)

07 April 2004  Chechnya to beef up security during May 9 celebrations
The Chechen authorities said the republic's law enforcement agencies will step up security in public places during the celebrations on May 9 marking the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. "A number of events are being planned in Grozny on this day. Thousands of residents are expected to take part in them. And each of these people should be confident that nothing threatens them," Chechen State Council chairman Taus Dzhabrailov told Interfax on Wednesday. "There is a real threat of terrorist attack being staged on this day. This problem should be taken seriously," he 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.
(in detail ...)

Copyright © CHECHNYA FREE.RU