Actual News from Chechnya

News update

A militant suspected of involvement in the murder of several policemen has been detained in Chechnya, spokesman for the federal forces in the North Caucasus Maj. Gen. Ilya Shabalkin told Interfax on Sunday. He said information about the suspect's whereabouts was provided by residents in Grozny's Zavodskoi district. Home-made hand grenades were seized during the militant's detention. The detainee was a member of the assault group of slain Chechen separatist leader's so-called "anti-terror center," Shabalkin said. Then he joined the Albek Bugayev criminal group under warlord Doku Umatov's command, he added. He said the militant is suspected of blowing up the Urus-Martan district police headquarters' car in 2002, which caused the death of five policemen, and killing a policeman in the village of Roshni-Chu in 2003.
(more...)

A cache containing one kilogram of TNT and literature of extremist content was eliminated in Chechnya. The cache was discovered as a result of special operative and searching measures following the information obtained from residents of one of the dwelling houses in the Zavodskoy district of Grozny, a source in the regional headquarters for the antiterrorist operation in the North Caucasus told RIA Novosti. "According to the current data, the cache belonged to Artur Basnukayev and Dzhambulat Kharikhanov, the active participants of the illegal armed formations eliminated in April 2005," the source noted. According to the source, the cache contained an AKS-74 assault rifle, six grenades, five rounds for under-barrel grenade launcher as well as approximately 300 cartridges for firing arms. "Moreover, one kilogram of TNT and literature of extremist content in the Arab language were also discovered in the cache," the source stressed. The confiscated arms were sent for the criminal investigative examination, he added. Furthermore, a large arms-cache was eliminated on Friday in the district center of Shali. The cache in one of the houses of the local residents contained three RPG-26 grenade launchers, seven Kalashnikov assault rifles, 39 rounds for grenade launchers, 12 grenades, a MON-50 mine as well as approximately 11,000 cartridges of various gauges. "Moreover, it contained approximately 2.5 kilos of TNT, 500 grams of plastic explosives, 11 portable radio stations, 10 sets of winter and summer army outfits as well as masks," the source noted. The arrested owners of the house are being interrogated. (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 Kurchaloi Region Is to Cultivate Flax

Flax cultivation for Chechen farmers is a novelty. Never before it was practiced on Chechen soil. But now they decided to try it. Seeds and farming capacities are available but only the autumn will show whether this novelty is successful. If so, flax cultivation will be practiced on a permanent basis. This crop is quite profitable, according to Mansur Varayev chief of the regional agricultural department because demand for flax is quite high, particularly in the textile industry. There are also ideas in the region to restore cattle-breeding. Agriculture without it is nothing. But after the hostilities in the republic, there is only one remaining and unrepaired facility of a cattle farm. The local leadership discussed the situation with the republican agriculture minister and he gave assurances that next year the decision to restore Kurchaloi cattle-breeding will be adopted. But right now its harvest time on the fields in the region. Thousands of hectares of tillage fields for spring crops have been prepared. Fuel , lubricants, as well as seeding machines are in sufficient supply. The situation is much worse with heavy machinery, which according to Mansur Varayev, is in a sorry state. The heavy machinery park has never been renewed for three years. This year some of it will be supplied but deliveries are behind schedule. The ageing machinery needs spare parts, which come at a heavy price on the black market. But Mansur Varayev believes that despite all difficulties, the seeding will go on without a hitch. The important thing is that there are people willing to work.
(more...)

Issue 281
19.04.05

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

19 April 2005  Culture Days of the Chechen Republic to Be Held in Moscow
From June 2 to 4, 2005, the Russian capital will become the venue of culture days of the Chechen Republic. The date was confirmed with the Republics Culture Ministry and the cultural committee of the Moscow City Government. According to Adnana Majidova acting deputing culture minister of Chechnya, the decision on holding this event in Moscow was adopted last year and it was planned to take place in October 2004. But because of the tragic events in Beslan, the dates were put off. Officials of the Chechen Culture Ministry recently presented their Moscow colleagues with a plan of the Chechen Culture Days, in which Chechen President Alu Alkhanov and a Chechen official delegation will take part. The event will take place most likely on June 2 in the Kremlin Palace with a gala concert. Apart from the leading ensembles and performers of the Chechen Republic, stars of the Russia showbiz are also expected to take part, who previously worked in the philharmony in the Chechen-Ingush Republic, among them Iosif Kobzon, Yuri Antonov, Alexander Barykin. Moscovites and city guests will be treated to the performance of the Vainakh state choreographic ensemble under the direction of Dikalu Muzykayev Peoples Artiste of Russia and the performance of Peoples Artiste Valid Dagayev and other renowned performers. The Chechen state drama theater named after Nuradilov will show a play, Chechen painters will put up a display of their works, representatives of scientific and creative communities of Moscow and Chechnya will hold a gathering, a folklore event and a get-together of compatriots will take place. All the events involving the Chechen Culture Days in Moscow will be financed by the Moscow city government.
(more News from Chechnya...)

18 April 2005  Chechen militant of Khalilov gang gives himself up
A militant, a 42-year-old resident of the Gudermes region, has voluntarily given himself up to Chechnyas law enforcement bodies. As the militant confessed, he was a member of the gang under the command of Rappani Khalilov. As Itar-Tass learnt at the Regional Operational Headquarters for directing the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, the gunman gave the names of participants in the Khaliov gang known to him and indicated the place where they hide weapons and ammunition. Upon the check of his information, a cache with two anti-tank mortars, two projectiles, a mine MON-50 and over 200 cartridges of 72 mm calibre was found in the outskirts of the village of Novogroznenskoye of the Gudermes region. At present other members of the Khalilov gang are being searched for.
(more News from Chechnya...)

18 April 2004  Basayev keeping a low profile - Rogozhkin
Nikolai Rogozhkin, Commander-in-Chief of the Interior Troops of the Russian Interior Ministry, believes Shamil Basayev, a Chechen terrorist leader, is "keeping a low profile." This explains why his voice has not been heard on the air for a long time. Assessing the militants' communication equipment, Rogozhkin admitted that Basayev was as good as that used by the federal forces. "Basayev makes use of similar cellular phones with a kind of 'closed' equipment. This is why they can communicate among themselves," Rogozhkin said. He also said the strength of the Chechen militants is "enough to cause periodic destabilization of the republic." Rogozhkin said he had no information on the precise number of militants. "To earn their pay terrorists act cynically, and I cannot dare say that peace will come tomorrow," he added.
(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