Question to Mr. Schwimmer from Chechen MP Turpal-Ali Kaimov, not accepted by Radio Ekho Moskvy

Chechen MP Turpal Kaimov turned with a question to Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who appeared on Radio Ekho Moskvy while he was in Moscow on 15 May 2004.

The editorial staff of Ekho Moskvy didn't accept T. Kaimov's question. However, the question still remains valid, so we publish it.

Dear Mr. Schwimmer, the Russian state has illegally occupied the independent Chechen state and incorporated its territory into its own. This is a blatant violation of international law. It is known that Checheniya (*) left the USSR in a legal way after its disintegration, like the RF/Russia and the other CIS states. None of these states could sign an agreement with the center (the USSR had ceased to exist), as required by international law. Besides, the assertion by the officials of the RF/Russia, that Checheniya at the moment of the disintegration of the empire (USSR) was part of the RSFSR doesn't correspond to reality. The legal steps taken under those conditions have lead to ten years of war against the occupation by the Russian army at this point. The Chechen people is subjected to abuses. Torture and humiliation of peaceful people with subsequent murders have become standard for the Russian armies in Checheniya. Have you had a look at the world reaction to this question in Iraq? WHAT WILL BE DONE BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN THIS QUESTION? WILL THE QUESTION OF THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ACTIONS OF THE RF/RUSSIA AGAINST THE CHECHEN PEOPLE BE EXAMINED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION? IF YES, WHEN?

14.05.2004

http://www.ichkeria.dk/russisk-hovedside.htm [Translation by N.S.]

2004-05-15

Kavkaz-Center

Estonia condemns Western states because of Chechnya

BNS news agency reported that a group of 28 representatives of Estonian intelligentsia and workers of culture has made an open address to the country’s parliament and condemned the attitude of the Western states towards Russia’s actions in Chechnya.

The authors of the address reminded that the European Commission, the White House and Russian president have condemned the operation on Kadyrov’s removal, which happened May 9, when the commander of the invaders’ troops Valery Baranov was injured as well.

At the same time the authors pointed out that the Western states had no reaction whatsoever to the invasion of Ichkeria, to the genocide of the country’s peaceful civilians and to the assassination of Ex-President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev.

«While condemning the terrorist act against the collaborator president and against the commander of the invaders’ forces, the West is thus approving of Russia’s colonial ambitions concerning the Chechen state and giving a green light to continue violence against Chechen peaceful civilians», the address says.

«…there is a deep feeling of protest when thinking that the fate of a traitor and a war criminal is causing more emotions among the international community than the fate of the entire nation does, when the nation is being oppressed and brought to the verge of extermination. It confirms once again that no lessons are taken from the history and that democratic values turn out to be a fiction most of the time. As a small nation, the Estonians, who have experienced the heavy hand of foreign rule, cannot remain indifferent to the sufferings that Chechens are experiencing», the address mentions.

The authors called on all people of good will to support the Chechen people in their attempts to build a safe future for themselves.

«This is the least thing we can do. The fact that tragic lot befell some war criminals before they faced the trial in the Hague should not be the reason to continue the genocide», the statement stresses.

The document was signed by:

1. Jaanus Adamson, 2. Vahur Afanasjev , 3. Riho Baumann, 4. Igor Garsnek, 5. Juri Ehlvest, 6. Anders Harm, 7. Mihkel Kaevats, 8. Jan Kaus, 9. Sven Kivisildnik, 10. Karel Kress, 11. Neeme Lopp, 12. Fagira Morti, 13. Kirsti Oidekivi, 14. Triinu Pakk-Allmann, 15. Jan Pehk, 16. Juku-Kalle Raid, 17. Koidu Raudvere, 18. Jurgen Rooste, 19. Kaedi Roots, 20. Ivar Sild, 21. Raul Sulbi, 22. Tarmo Teder, 23. Urmas Tynisson, 24. Berk Vaher, 25. Reet Varblane, 26. Johanna-Mai Vihalem, 27. Elo Viiding, 28. Margot Visnap.

Department of Cooperation and Mass Media, Kavkaz-Center

2004-05-15

The Chechen TimesMEP Bernd Posselt demands Russia to pull out of Chechnya

Press-releaseMunich.

The foreign policy speaker of the German CSU party in the EUParliament Mr. Bernd Posselt warned the Russian government after theassassination of the pro-Moscow Chechen governor Akhmad Kadyrov «againstsliding deeper into the colonial war against the peace loving peoplewhich has been dragging on for a decade. An end to the bloodshed ispossible only «when the Russian army with its death squads under thecommand of Kadyrov’s son leaves Chechnya and international peacekeeperswith a OSCE mandate are installed. Speaking in the EU Council andCommission Mr. Posselt demanded to include Chechnya’s legitimatePresident Aslan Maskhadov, elected under OSCE control but forcedunderground by Putin, be included into all peacemaking missions. He alsosharply condemned the attack of May 9 including any act of force, sayingthere should be no new violence against the Chechen people to punishthem collectively.Press Office of Bernd Posselt, Member of the European Parliament

Posted: 16 May 2004 0004 hrs

Council of Europe calls for free and fair election in Chechnya

MOSCOW : The Council of Europe called on Moscow to organize free and fair elections in Chechnya following the slaying of the republic's pro-Russian president in a bomb attack.

"We should not allow terrorists to interrupt the democratic process," Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said during a visit to the Russian capital.

The pan-European rights and democracy body is willing to assist Russia in the "full restoration of democracy and human rights in the Chechen Republic," he said.

Schwimmer said the Council of Europe was willing to train electoral staff, and this help must contribute to a "free, fair and transperent election in autumn".

An election is due by September 5 after Akhmad Kadyrov was killed in a bomb attack on May 9.

"There is no invitation and no decision taken" concerning the international election observers.

The Council of Europe declined to send observers to the presidential election last year that Kadyrov won overwhelmingly on suspiciously- high turnout figures reminiscent of the Soviet era.

Most of Kadyrov's main opponents had been sidelined before the poll and he was left to face only minor challengers who scored in the single digits against Kadyrov's 81.1 percent.

Schwimmer declined to comment on appeals from top officials in Chechnya to allow Kadyrov's son Ramzan, 27, to run despite the constitution setting 30 years as the minimum age for presidential candidates.

RUSSIA-EU-SHWIMMER

MOSCOW (RUSSIAN FEDERATION), 05/15 (AFP) - General Secretary of the EU Walter Shwimmer speaks to the media at the Interfax news agency in Moscow 15 May 2004. Co-operation between the Council of Europe and Russia was mentioned during discussions on the general situation in Chechnya. Mr Schwimmer said that he would like to visit Grozny, in order to determine how Council of Europe experts should participate in the presidential human rights office, and to be able to draw up his own appraisal of the situation.

AFP PHOTO/MAXIM MARMUR

- AFP