THE CHECHNYA
Chechnya is part of the Caucasus region, and it is a mountainous area that is located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. This region includes Ingush, Daghistan, North Ossetia and Chechnya. These countries fall in North of Caucasus. It also includes Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and parts of Turkey and Iran. These countries fall in South of Caucasus. Both of north and south Caucasus are Islamic countries in which Islam came early. They were conquered even before both of Persian and Roman lands. The Muslims reached it in year 22 hijri, at the time of Omer b. al-Khattab (r.a), and the great sahabi Abu Dujanah took part in its conquest; besides Tiblisi, the capital of Georgia was conquered at the hand of the leader Habib b. Maslamah, at the time of Uthman (r.a) Caucasus remained part of the lands of Islam at the time of the Umayyad and Abbasid Khilafah.
However, the weakness that befell the Abbasid state after the fall of Baghdad at the hands of Tatars (Moguls) in 656 hijri led to the destruction of Islamic authority in Caucasus at the hands of Moguls. It is interesting that the Moguls who tortured the Muslims had embraced Islam at the hands of the defeated people of Caucasus. They then established an Islamic authority in the Caucasus in the 13th
century BC and took Qazan, east of Moscow as capital for their authority. Their state strengthened and expanded towards the south, so it annexed the Caucasus regions. Its authority reached Siberia and Moscow itself, and became known as the Golden Kingdom because of the great of gold it gathered in its capital, and due to its great wealth and the grandeur of its status over its neighbour states at that time. However,
the emergence of the Russian state, and the unification of its Orthodox Christian emirates under the leadership of Moscow led to the continuous conflict with the Tartaric Islamic state. This conflict ended after two centuries with the fall of the Tartaric state, destruction of its capital, Qazan, annihilating of its people and transforming them by force into Russians after eliminating their men and giving their women as wives to Russian men. Thus the Islamic presence in the centre of Russia was eliminated because their Muslim brothers in the south, in the centre of the state were negligent and did not come for their help. At that time the Ottoman state emerged and started to pass aid to the Muslims of Caucasus and look after them. It thus started to struggle with Russian state over the control over the Caucasus areas, which became frontier areas between two great states, which are Russia and the Ottoman state. The Ottoman state managed to impose its authority over Caucasus except Azerbaijan, which seceded from its authority to that of the Safawi state in Iran in 1578. The Islamic rule continued in it till 1722, when Caesar of Russia, Peter the great attacked Caucasus and occupied a part of it. However, the Muslims drove the Russians out temporarily in 1753, but the war continued in ups and downs between the Muslims and Russians.
The people of Caucasus managed by the support of the Ottomans to stand in the face of the invading Russian armies for more than three centuries till the Ottoman state declined. After that the Russians managed to defeat the Islamic resistance and thus impose their authority over the Caucasus in the second half of the eighteenth century. However, the resistance of the people of the Caucasus continued against the Russian
Caesars despite the different barbaric styles used by the Russians, which varied between annihilation, imposing Christian religion on them, transfer/resettlement, torture, burning the forests and replacing the Arabic, Turkish and Persian languages with the Russian language.
The Chechnya resistance emerged as the strongest among the Caucasus resistance. Scholars/ulema and mujahidun emerged in this resistance and were capable to assume successful jihadi leadership to the Chechnya people, which made them offer great sacrifice and made sleepless the Russian Caesars that succeeded one other in power. Sheikh Mansur, the Chechnya was one of the prominent leaders of Chechnya
resistance, where he led a fierce war against the Russian Caesars, from 1785 till 1794; and he used to call it the holy war. Mawlay Muhammad followed him, where he led a severe war against the Russian occupation from 1824 till 1832. Imam Shamil came after him and he engaged in continuous battles for thirty years against the Russians from 1832 till 1859. The revolt against the Russians continued against the Russians under the leadership of Chechnya leaders such as Umadwueve, Tabi Adayeve movement, Zelmayeve movement and the movement of Chechen leader Ali Beg Hajji who was hanged by the Russians in Grozeney in 1878. The Russians did their utmost to prevent Chechens from jihad, so they directed them to dervish orders so as to discharge their energy in small mosques and circles of celebrating Allah� s name. However, this did benefit the Russians, because all the sects in Chechnya stood together for fighting against the Russians, including the Sufis. The resistance of the Muslims in Caucasus against the Russian army was very
forceful that overburdened the Russians to the degree that Lenin interpreted the speedy defeats that befell the Russian army in World War I was due to the fatigue that befell the army throughout a war that flared vigorously in Caucasus for many centuries.
At the communist era, Stalin transferred at the end of World War II all the people of Chechnya from their country to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Half of the people of Chechnya, which count one million and two hundred thousands, died in exile. The people remained in exile till 1957, where they were allowed then to return back. The maltreatment of the Russian communists to the Muslims of Chechnya increased
more than it was at the time of the Caesars. They destroyed the mosques, banned the religious education, imposed the atheist communist thought over the people and exercised the worst torture to them.
Despite that, the people of Chechnya continued to feel strong due to their belief in their Lord, and superior by their deen, where the crimes of Communists only increased them in resolve and perseverance. Many of the Russian literary acknowledged that. Buskin, Lirmentov and Tolstoy used to hold great admiration close to fright to these Muslims of Chechnya. The play of �Hajj Murad� written by Tolstoy was only
glorification for the bravery of Chechens and the love for liberation from the noose of the unbelievers. Hirzin enquired whether Chechens belong to special species of human race. During the period that Solgentsin spent in Golak Archipelago, which is a chain of Russian prisons, he met people from 150 races who were arrested there. He said the only people from among these who were not cave in were those from
Chechnya.
After the fragmentation of the Soviet Union into fifteen republics in 1991, Caucasus was not one of these independent republics; it rather remained annexed to the republic of federal Russia. Chechens, under the leadership of Jawahir Dodayeve, announced an independent state for them in 1/11/1991. The Russian immediately refused to recognize it and fought against them without respite. Then the Russians invaded it in 1995, but they failed in that war and suffered heavy losses. Chechen state continued to struggle for having complete separation from Moscow. In 1999, Russians succeeded in occupying Chechnya and annulment of the announced state. They committed huge massacres and horrible torture in it; and there was no state in the world that stood to help the people of Chechnya or support them against the Russian barbarism that exceeded every limit. Ana Politcofiskaya wrote a book about the crimes of the Russian army in Chechnya, under the title (The Russian shame). Ana Politcofiskaya is one of the most famous (women) journalist after the communist era, and she worked as correspondent to (Novaya Gazitta), ie the new magazine. She visited Chechnya many times since 1999, and reported in her book live scenes of the Russian crimes in The Chechen war. She recorded in this book the reality of the Chechen tragedy. � The capital, Grozeny is full with wreckage, while hundreds of Chechen villages turned to become shelters for ghosts. There are collective graves, while half of the population live under miserable conditions in refugee camps in neighbouring Angutia� . Ana Politcofiskaya provided a list that included war crimes committed in Chechnya, such as � collective deportation operations that resulted in deporting half of the people of Chechnya from their houses as well as the collective killing� . Ana Politcofiskaya revealed about hanging 150 civil Chechen by the Russian forces without legal prosecution� .
The non-governmental Memorial association that stands for defending the human rights accused the Russian authorities that they carry out in Chechnya methods similar to those used during the most repressive years of Stalin. In a press conference held in the headquarter of the International federal of human rights organisations, Lida Yosubuva, the coordinator of the Memorial organisation in the Chechen capital,
Grozney, and Uleg Orlove, the office manager of the organisation of human rights office in Moscow, they accused Russia of using methods that were used by the Stalinist political police in the thirties and forties. Yusobova said the Russian forces and their allied Chechen forces use the same methods of the Stalinist secret police by kidnapping, with steadily increase numbers, entire families to coerce the wanted
people to surrender. In 1999, the Russian forces stormed Chechnya again so as to resolve the Chechen issue for the advantage of Russia, after it was about to impose its independence. This was based on American-Russian mutual understanding that emanated from mutual understanding between Evanove and Albright. However, the Chechen, as it is expected from them and despite the losses they faced, did not yield; they rather
continued struggle against the entire Russian military force, without showing cowardice.
After the events of 11/9/2001 and Bush declaration of �war against terrorism� , Butin tried to exploit the stage for the interest of Russia in Chechnya. So he called for global war against terrorism and tried as well to win an international recognition that the war in Chechnya is war against terrorism. He repeated such claim often; and the last time he used this was when he called the international community, in 6/2/2004 to
fight against terrorism, which he described as � the evil of the 21st century� . This was after the attack that took place in the underground metro in Moscow. This is despite that the past Russian minister of information; Buris Mironove drew the attention, in a talk to �al-hayat� , to the concurrence of the great explosion operations and the elections. He pointed out to the metro explosion operation as being �a repeated
version� of the explosion in the residential buildings that came before the presidential elections of 1999. The explosions at that time pushed the security dossier to the top of the priorities of the president, who pledged to restore security to the Russians and close the hot files in Chechnya and in the entire region of Caucasus. However, Butin failed to make the war in Chechnya part of war against terrorism in
the world, though he achieved partial success in that. This is not because America and Europe have a supportive stance towards Chechens; on contrary they want to exchange with Russia interests it concedes over the issue of Chechnya.
The American Stance:
The American Ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Vershbu stated in a talk he gave in 29/2/2004, saying: � The American stance remained fixed towards this file during the last few years. This stance is based on clearly defined elements, the most of which is the recognition of the unity of the Russian territories, but at the same time opposing the settlement of the conflict through force or terrorism. Washington acknowledged
there is some link between this issue and the international terrorism. Besides we condemned the intervention of the �qa� idah� in this struggle. The USA provided some assistance to Moscow in this subject through exchange of information to prevent the arrival of weapons and funds to the Chechens. However, we differ over the assessment of the Chechen issue, and believe the struggle there is not linked with
terrorism only, for its roots are domestic. It results from separatist-political activity; and cannot be solved except through the use of political means. We believe the efforts Moscow spent till now are not enough (approval of Chechen constitution and election of president of a republic). We also still condemn the violations of human rights by the federal forces and the apparatuses used by Ahmad Qadrove (the elected
Chechen president)� . And he said: � The issue of authority in the old Soviet space will represent the greater challenge before the Russian-American relations� .
During the visit of Colin Powel, the American secretary of state, to Moscow in 26/1/2004, he expressed the worry of his country regarding � some of the aspects of the internal policy of Moscow in Chechnya, as well as the relations of Russia with its neighbours in the states of the independent confederation� . He added, � that Washington respects the unity of the Russian territories� , � but it equally observes the
rights of the neighbours of Russia� . It worth noticing that Powel gave these statements the moment he arrived to Moscow, coming from Georgia. The American ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Veshu described the visit as of prime importance. He said Powel wants to discuss with the Russian side the issues related to the old Soviet republics, pointing out that one of the most important aims of the visit is to search for � points of agreement� between the Russian and American sides in the old Soviet space. This shows the issue of Chechnya is not more than a commodity, which America gives in return to that Russia gives a blind eye about the American expansion in the Caucuses �Georgia� , central Asia and East Europe. The statement of Powel � that Washington respects the unity of the Russian territories� , � but it equally observes the
rights of the neighbours of Russia� , is understand within this context. It is within this context as well comes the acknowledgement of the transitional Georgian president, Ninu Bordjanadza that Tiblis provided large facilitations to the Chechen resistance. Some sources close to the Kremlin considered the conditions ready for building the confidence between the Russian and Georgian sides after the visit of Bordjanadza to
Moscow and her meeting with Vladimir Butin. However, the declarations of the American ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Virshbu are nothing also but encouragement and intimidation to Moscow. On the one
hand, he acknowledges the unity of the Russian territories, but on the other he does not consider the struggle in Chechnya linked to terrorism only; rather its roots are local, and it results from political- separatist activity.
Therefore, the Chechen issue is not more than a subject in which America exchanges with Russia regarding her interests in The Caucasus, central Asia and east Europe. If Russia yielded to the American designs, then the America would continue to support the ruthless killing of the Chechens. If Russia however declined to do so, then America would raise the files of human rights in Chechnya, and the right of the
Chechens to self-determination. She would also change the Chechen issue into an international one, where it is discussed in the international meetings and organisations. She would as well encourage the new government of Georgia to provide assistance to the Chechens, support them and give them safe heaven against 11 the Russian forces. The talk about (the exchange deal) is no more secret between America and Russia. When Russia waged a destructive barbaric war against Chechnya in August 1999, it concluded an exchange deal with America. New York Times published in 19/11/1999 that Igor Evanof, the Russian foreign minister handed unofficial letter to Medline Albright, the American secretary of state during their meeting in Turkey in 18/11/1999. This letter contains a proposal of a (deal) in which America overlooks
the Russian military operations against the Chechens in return for the flexibility of the Russian envoy in the Security Council concerning the sanctions against Iraq and the silence of Russia over the extension of a pipeline that carries oil and gas from Azerbaijan to the Turkish port of Jihan on the Mediterranean sea.
The European Stance:
In principle, there is no difference between the European and American stance, for both give exchange over Chechnya in return for their special interests. Europe has interests related to expansion towards the east, within the frame of European Union, so it does not like to see Russian obstacles in this regard. Moreover, due to its weakness to face alone the America plans, it desires to have strategic cooperation
with Russia. The previous French foreign minister, Dmininque de Vilban called in Moscow on 23/1/2004 for building � true strategic partnership� between Russia and Europe in the subjects of security, foreign politics and defence. The French minister suggested to specifically setting up � a permanent structural mechanism� in the field of security. This proposal came within a speech he gave about France, Russia and Europe before the students of the Russian institute for international relations, with his Russian equivalent Igor Evanov on his side. De Vilban said: �we can set up a permanent structural mechanism specified for the
study of the threats that face the European continent, particularly in the field of the spread of nuclear weapons and terrorism� . He also emphasised that France is � ready together with its European partners to ponder on the subject of strong cooperation with Russia in the field of foreign policy and European defence� . He also recommended � pondering on carrying out joint operations in the field of peace
keeping� .
The two presidents of Russia and France, Vladimir Butin, and Jack Cherack emphasised, in 3/4/2004, the reciprocal trust between Moscow and Paris, at a time the EU expands to include states in central and east Europe that were mostly communist. During a brief visit to Russia, Cherack visited, in company with Butin, the military installations in Crasnoznaminsk in the suburbs of Moscow. The talks between them
dealt mainly with the relations between Russia and the EU. Cherack said that the relations between the EU and Russia are prime factor for the balance and stability of the future. Butin, from his side said the EU is a fundamental partner to modern Russia. He confirmed the need to reach satisfactory solutions, where he points to the 11 expansion of the EU, which Moscow says it might affect its interests. Regarding the
Chechen issue, Cherack said they discussed it within the frame of fight against terrorism. He however hoped that a political way-out to the issue can be reached. The Russian president, Vladimir Butin had criticised, in 22/4/2004, the stance of the EU regarding Chechnya. He compared the call directed to Moscow for making dialogue with those whom he called � the Chechen terrorists� with the call made by Usama b. Laden, in which he called Europe to sit down on the table of negotiations. On the occasion of his inauguration together with Silview Berlskooni, the Italian Prime Minister, one of the joint Russian-Italian projects in Libtsik, he said: � There are some people who always call upon us to make dialogue with those whom we consider as terrorists. Terrorist number 1, Usama b. Laden had sent a call to Europe, recommending in it to have negotiations, but that was rejected, according to my knowledge. I ask about the reason that made Europe reject such call as long as there are some people who try to send it to us� . Butin said he considers the fight against terrorism a fundamental issue in the relations of Russia with the EU. He pointed out that Moscow �will receive tomorrow Roman Brudi, the chairman of the European Legation; and it will be put for discussion with him the issues related to all the questions, including terrorism in Chechnya and the call sent by Bin Laden to Europe� .
In 23/4/2004, Roman Brudi said in a word he gave in Moscow: �Let us explain that the EU gives unconditional and complete support to the unity of the Russian territories. Further more, we both have a common issue, which is the need to fight against terrorism� . One day after conducting in Moscow talks with the Russian president, Vladimir Butin, regarding the expansion of the EU to reach the borders of Russia by 1/5/2004, Brudi added: � It is not possible to fight against terrorism by force only. Fight against terrorism makes our continuous adherence to the democratic values more important� . The old chairman of the European Legation, however emphasised that � the respect of human rights does not restrict the efficiency of fight against terrorism� . Thus, under the conditions of the abandonment and collusion of the Muslim rulers, who did not find any thing to provide for the Chechens except the resolution of the OIC that was held in October last year, which considers the dispute in Chechnya � an internal Russian issue� . This is besides delivering an invitation to the enemy of Allah, the crusader disbeliever, and the butcher of Muslims, Vladimir Butin to attend the OIC summit that was held in Kula Lumpur, where they gave him a reception of
heroes. Under yielding their issue to exchange of interests between the countries that brag freedom, democracy and human rights, the Chechens do not find other than Allah to support them. The Chechens will remain with their old strategy that might became part of their brave nature, which is always to fight assuming there are no friends, for they used to do that always. When the Chechens were deported
collectively from their lands, there was no one voice that protested against that. So, how long they will continue to fight alone? When will the Muslims have a Khaleefah who gives a general call to arms and
dispatches the armies for their help, and for taking revenge to the old men, women and children, by levelling strikes that make the Russians forget the whispers of the Shaytan, and also bring Muslims back to the true might of Islam?
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