Russian official
demands deportation of Chechens from Georgia
Politics Article data: 10.06.03 The Georgian Times
Brazhnikov demands deportation of Chechens from Georgia
"This is the continuation of the genocide carried out by Russia," asserted the
head of the Chechen Diaspora.
By Keti Lomaia
Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations, Iuri Brazhnikov, demands from the
Georgian government to return the Chechens to Chechnya. Brazhnikov asserted that
Moscow would finance deportation of Chechens back to their homeland. The Chechens
said that the refugees are not going to go back to the territory, which is controlled
by Russians. 6 members of the inter-structural delegation from Russia visited
Tbilisi for 3 working days. The delegation consists of representatives of Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Federal Intelligence Service,
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of State Security and Yuri Brazhnikov,
deputy minister of Emergency Ministry. The latter heads the Russian delegation.
The purpose of their visit is discussion of the issue of return of 4,200 Chechen
refugees to their homeland. The delegation members will visit Pankisi, where the
majority of the Chechen refugees reside currently.
The Georgian side thinks that only voluntary return of the refugees to their homeland
is acceptable. UN has to partake in this process as well.
Brazhnikov asserted while talking to journalists that the Russian side is ready
to accept involvement of the UN in this process. According to him, the process
of houses construction for the refugees in Chechnya is already completed. Russia
also plans to financially assist the returned refugees.
"Most of the Chechen refugees that reside in different countries already have
returned to Chechnya. The purpose of our visit is to assure the Georgia-residing
Chechen refugees to return to their homeland, where they will face no threat whatsoever.
The Pankisi residing refugees are Russian citizens and we give them ability to
return to their historic homeland. I would like to stress that we are not going
to make anybody to return. It is up to good will of the refugees to either return
or not return to Chechnya. The Russian side will provide transportation of those
Chechens who will be wiling to return," said Brazhnikov.
Regardless of the fact that Russians offer the Chechens such "marvelous" prospect
for future most of them prefer to live in Georgia in bad conditions rather than
return to Russia.
The GT talked to Meka Khangoshvili, representative of the Chechnya Diaspora in
Georgia.
GT: What do the Chechen refugees think about the proposal forwarded by the Russian
Federation?
MK: None of the sane Chechens will return to the territory, which is controlled
by Russia. I think that now return of the refugees to Chechnya will be continuation
of the genocide that Russia carried out against Chechnya people. Russia aims at
annihilating the Chechnya people and Chechnya form the face of the earth. This
is why Russia wants to return refugees to Chechnya. Regardless of the fact that
homeland is supreme for every Chechen, currently returning to Chechnya will be
equal to committing suicide. Until the last Russian soldier leaves the Chechnya
territory, there will be rape, murder, torture. Will sane people return to the
territory knowing all this?
GT: Chechen refugees reside in many other countries besides Georgia. Do you know
whether Russia proposed the refugees residing in other countries to return to
their homeland as well?
MK: Although most of the Georgia-residing refugees live in difficult situation,
but they at least have a place where to shelter themselves. It's been 4 years
that refugees live in tents in Ingushetia. They soak in rain, when it rains. Why
the Russian Federation does not think to take care of them? Why are they not proposed
to return to their homeland? I doubt Russia is playing tricks. Chechens are thankful
for the assistance Georgia provided to them, however, it is excluded for now that
the refugees go back to their homeland.
GT: Refugees really want to emigrate from Georgia. Don't you think that some will
agree to return to Chechnya because they are facing financial hardships?
MK: I cannot tell you what some of the refugees may do. However, I repeat that
sane people will not return. You are right, Chechens want to leave Georgia because
the Pankisi gorge was bombed a couple of times because of their presence on the
Georgian territory. Russia always manipulates with Chechens who live here. If
they leave Georgia, they will enter some other third country.
GT: Which country the refugees want to emigrate to?
MK: Does not matter which country it is. What is important is that Russia should
not be able to influence that country.
The GT tried to learn what Chechens think about the proposal of Russia. We talked
to Aslanbek Abdurzakov, human rights protector.
GT: What do the refugees think of going back to their homeland?
AA: Taking into consideration the current situation, it is excluded that Chechens
go back. However, I donot exclude that some Chechens will go back because they
suffer from nostalgia and are willing to take a chance.
GT: So, you say the majority of the refugees will stay in Georgia?
AA: I live in Pankisi and I certainly know what the refugees think here.
Regardless of the bad conditions, people are willing to stay here rather than
go back to Chechnya now.
GT: What about requesting shelter in some third country?
AA: Half of the refugees agree to live in the third country until the situation
in Chechnya becomes better. Until mass murder and torture of Chechens continues
in Chechnya, the refugees will never go back.