Crisis in Chechnya

The circumstances in which the 21st century is starting are in some respects same as those in which 20th century had had a start. After breaking the Muslim power, Western colonial powers had dominated almost all over the world and Muslim Ummah was reduced to a state where it could only taste ignominy and disgrace. The Ottoman caliphate that was once a formidable force was taking last breath. Though there were some courageous efforts that exhibited faith and bravery, yet those involved in treachery and betrayal were carrying out their plan with dexterity and quite deftly pushing the Ummah into the abyss of subjugation and ignominy.

During the 20th century, many avenues for the awakening of the Ummah and its new historical role have been opened up by way of a wave of independence and ideological resurgence. Yet the ground realities of the early days of the new century present such a scenario where, on the one hand, Muslims in Chechnya, Bosnia, Kashmir, Kosova, Indonesia, Philippines, Palestine, Turkey, Cyprus and Nigeria are found passing through unbearable times and, on the other, most of the rulers of the 56 independent Muslim states are indulged, overtly or covertly, in disloyalty to their religion Islam. They fail to learn any lessons from history and are forgetting that nature may forego with the sins of individuals but cannot let the sins against a nation or Ummah go unpunished.

In this context, the situation in Chechnya provides for contemplation and serious thought. This is a mirror in which many a picture can be clearly seen.

One of the pictures is of colonial Russia which even after losing its world power stature is bent upon using blind force and blatant aggression in its bid to protect its interests in the region, particularly reigning in the Muslim nations and occupying their economic and natural resources and destroying each and every effort for Islamic revival. It is bent upon destroying whole of cities and villages, displacing entire populations, genocide of the helpless and innocent people, and converting the whole land into a ruin and a graveyard. This all is being done on the whims of an acting president to win permanent presidency.

Another picture depicts the fall of the so-called world order as is championed by America. The USA became its standard-bearer after the fall of Socialism so that democracy may prosper, human rights are protected, populations are saved from cruelty and genocide, and certain values could prevail all over the world beyond political boundaries. In spite of all this rhetoric, the way in which the champions of these values, motivated by political and commercial interest, flouted them and their connivance, even overt collaboration or mere lip-service for eyewash all have exposed their dual standards and opportunistic designs. After the Safe-Heavens in Bosnia, ruins in Chechnya, heaps of corpses and refugee camps are going to prove graves for this world order. The dead body of the much-talked 'international community' and the much-hyped new order can also be seen in this mirror.

The picture of today's Muslim world is also seen in this mirror. While the US is keeping mum, Britain is backing Putin, and IMF is doling out new loans, the role of Muslim governments is also deplorable. Their despicable picture is nothing but a source of disgust. In no way it represents the Muslim Ummah.

Yet another picture that is taking shape depicts the struggle of Chechen guerrillas, their glorious sacrifices and, with it, of the anxiety and restlessness of Muslim masses, praying to the Almighty. This is the silver lining in the dead dark all around.

The problem in Chechnya is not an 'internal issue' of Russia. Nor is it a case of a few carrying out terrorist activities. To know the reality, it is necessary to know historical facts, the dynamics of international politics and the accepted rules of international law.

Chechnya, which lies in Northern Caucus, has never been a part of Russia, which has been a European country. The area is part of Central Asia with all respects ¾ Geographical, political, cultural, racial, linguistic and religious. Islam had reached here in quite early period i.e. during the glorious rule of Pious Caliphate. According to traditions, Muslims reached here during the era of Caliph Umar or Caliph Usman and thus was established Muslim settlement. This light of Islam spread all around and illuminated the whole area. Till the 16th century, this area remained, to a great extent, safe from Russian Colonialism. Russian Colonial forces first invaded the region in 1556. Since then, there have been more than 200 fights between Chechen Mujahideen and Russian forces and thus is kept alive the struggle of Good and Evil. After 1556, fights continued in one way or the other in 1674, 1772, 1837-45, 1848, 1859, 1877, 1924 and 1944 and then in 1994-96 and now in 1999-2000.

Russian colonial rule has spared no effort in subjugating and dominating the people of Caucus and Central Asia. Whoever has been in power ¾ Czar or socialists, Christians or seculars ¾ or whether it has been imperial rule or dictatorship, domination of civilian rulers or of military autarks, champions of democracy or KGB proteges, all targeted at Muslims' unity and tried to create divisions, ensure Russian rule in Central Asia and exploit its resources for Russia's benefit. However, it is a historical fact that despite all use of force and all machinations of cruelty and savagery, Muslims never surrendered before the colonial rule; the collective conscience of the people never accepted foreign rulers. Never hesitating in offering great sacrifices of both life and property for the sake of Faith and freedom, the people have established sublime examples of bravery, vigor, dignity and self-respect.

Islamic luminaries have always played leading role in Muslims' Jihad for independence. The role of Ulema and Sufis has always been instrumental. Whereas Imam Mansur, Ghazi Hamza Beig, Imam Shamil, Mujahid Ali Beig, and others were the leading spirits of this struggle in the past, Johar Doudev, Zelim Khan, Aslan Muskhdov, Shamil Basayev, Ibn al-Khattab and others are keeping the torch of freedom alive today. Once (in Imam Shamil's times in the 19th century) Muslim rule had reached St. Petersberg (Leningrad) and even today Russian savagery is the outcome of a fear that if Muslims of the area manage to be united they would become unconquerable. According to a conservative estimate, there are some fifty to sixty million Muslims in the Russian Federation and the independent Muslim states. These are the people who have never reconciled with defeat and always challenged Russian hegemonic occupation. Their population was dispersed time and again but each time they managed to consolidate their strength. Their cities were reduced to ruins, but they emerged from ashes. These ups and downs characterize the struggle for the last 400 years.

Eric Margolis who is editor for foreign affairs at the Canadian paper The Toronto Sun, writes after witnessing the current phase of struggle:

"I have been a combat soldier and have covered 12 high-intensity wars from the front, but I have never seen anything that equals the heroism and boundless courage of the Chechen Mujahideen. For the last four months, 5,000 lightly armed Chechen warriors fighting in flat and open terrain that favors air, armor and artillery, have held off 160,000 Russian troops, backed by segments of heavy guns and rockets, helicopter gunships, ground-attack aircraft and thousands of tanks and armored vehicles. Russian generals have repeatedly vowed to "exterminate the Chechens".

The valiant struggle of the brave people in the face of enemy's bloody onslaught, world's indifference and self-serving silence, and betrayal by those who were trusted upon is a source of inspiration. Despair, certainly, leads to infidelity.

This is a historical fact that Chechnya never remained part of Russia. Rather, it was a part of the Ottoman Caliphate until 1805. During the last 400 years whenever Russia has had domination, it has been of a colonial power; but the people of the region have never slacked in declaring their independence, as soon as they got the opportunity to do so. In this context, a very important milestone was the declaration of independence and establishment of Muslim state, comprising four states of the region: Chechnya, Dagestan, Ostia, and Kabirnobkar, under the leadership of Shaikh Afron Haji on May 11, 1918; just after the Russian revolution of 1917. Hungary, Austria, Turkey and Britain had recognized this independent state. After the demise of Soviet Union this state should have been recognized as were the Baltic States. Being partisan, Western nations ignored this requirement of the international law and tradition. Muslim states, too, failed to show courage and rightful approach in this regard.

The second phase began in 1991, after the demise of Soviet Union. Russian Federation came into being in 1992, but Chechen people had already formed their National Congress through elections in October 1991 and the elected Parliament announced the establishment of an independent state. Russian forces tried to invade in 1992 but were retreated. Thus, an independent state was practically established and Johar Doudev was elected the President.

This is a historical reality that after a silence of three years, Russia first secured $62 billion from IMF in July 1994 and then attacked Chechnya on 11 December the same year. The Russian commander had claimed to complete Russian control of Chechnya within six hours but the ensuing war lasted for two years and resulted in the defeat of Russian forces. During this war, 1994-96, Russian forces massacred more than 100,000 Chechen people, reduced large part of the country into ruins, spread a net of some 170 million anti-personnel landmines, and used ammunition so extensively that its quantity equals the ammunition used during the Second World War in the whole of Europe.

After the war, Russian and Chechen governments signed important agreements in 1996 and 1997. The first one, Khasavyurt Agreement, was reached on Aug. 31, 1996. Chechen commander Mr. Aslan Maskhadov and Russian General Aleksandr Lebed signed this. In its Communiqué, pledge was made to prevent war and violence and to find political solution to the controversial issues. Basic principles for bilateral relations of Russian Federation and Chechen State were also determined. These included:

• Agreement of the basis of the interrelations between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic, defined in accordance with the universally recognized principles and norms of the International Law, shall be reached before 31st December, 2001.

• The formation of a Joint Commission for talks on controversial issues was also decided. This was followed by a regular and formal peace treaty between the President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin and the President of the Chechen Republic Aslan Maskhadov on May 12, 1997. This accepted the principle of relations on equal footing and a pledge was made "Forever to refrain from using or threatening to use force while solving any controversial questions."

This is to be noted that this agreement was titled as 'treaty' which takes place between two independent countries, and each of the presidents signed it as being the president of his respective state. That is why the experts of the international law have declared it amounting to de facto recognition of Chechnya's independent status. After the study of the title and each and every clause of the treaty, Prof. Dr. Francis A. Boyle of the University of Illinois, USA, has proved that it is a treaty that recognizes independence and to say that Chechnya's is Russia's internal issue is to flout the facts and to surrender before the Russian aggression. All and sundry, from US President Clinton to the Iranian foreign minister, have ignored the facts in unison with Russia. This is, surely, a worst example of flouting norms of international law/code of conduct. In fact, it is accomplicing in the aggressions of Russia.

The weakness and the self-serving approach of the World Community and the Muslim leadership, particularly the OIC, its executive and its current head, Iran, is such a horrendous crime history would never forgive. Similarly, the silence of the UN and its Secretary General, who has the honor of belonging to the Third World, would serve to erode whatever was left there of the oppressed people's trust with the international organizations. Eric Margolis is right in saying that:

"Those who observe a monstrous crime and do nothing should feel guilt for it. We begin the 21st century watching silently as a brutish Russia, which knows neither shame nor mercy, crushes the life out of a tiny but heroic people who refuse to bend their knees to Moscow's tyranny". (Toronto Sun, reproduced in the Impact International, February 2000)."

Russia and its leadership have committed, at least, five grossly heinous crimes and should be held accountable for each of these. The fact is that this leadership deserves the punishment of war crimes just like the Nazi German of the past and Yugoslavia of today.

The first crime is the unjustified armed invasion of an independent state. Russia has given two lame excuses. The first one is that at the instigation of Chechnya, an 'Islamic state' was established in two towns of Dagestan. If the people of Dagestan opt for enforcing Islamic teachings in their own areas, it is neither a crime nor can one object at it. Moreover, it is wrong to assume that the movement in Dagestan's towns had any links with Chechnya. Chechen leadership had categorically described it as an act of the region's people and had denied that it had anything to do with it. The second excuse was that Chechen exploded bombs in a Moscow area and thus killed 200 people. Not only that Chechen government or its people had nothing to do with this explosion, later facts have established that none but Russian secret service was involved in placing the bombs in both cases so that this may be used as a pretext to invading Chechnya. The world media had suspected the Russian claim in the very beginning and daily Independent, London and Economist had denied it through reliable sources. The drop scene has come now with the red-handed arrest of the personnel of a Russian secret agency, Federal Security Council, while placing the third bomb.

These excuses are, thus, product of falsehood and trickery. Even if accepted for the sake of argument, there could be no justification for aggression against an independent country in the presence of the Agreements of 1958 and 1994. This was a naked aggression, pure and simple, with the aim to eliminate the Chechen nation. A horrendous crime against humanity, this can be best described as 'genocide'.

The second crime was the despicable attempt of genocide, of ruining the entire area and wiping out the whole of population. This is part of the criminal course the Russian leadership is committing since the 16th century. In 1944, by forcing exodus on Chechen and Tatar nations, in which 1.5 million people succumbed to hardships and misery, Stalin tried to eliminate a generation. In 1994-96, more than 100,000 people were massacred. In September 1999, Russia launched an attack on Chechnya with latest weaponry. It adopted the same strategy as was adopted by the US against Iraq (1991) and NATO against Yugoslavia (1999). 125 to 200 daily air strikes, each with 15 to 45 warplanes. Thus, thousands of tons of ammunition was dropped each day. The latest M-16 planes and M-1 gunship helicopters were employed for these strikes. Long-range artillery was used day and night. Cluster bombs, Napalm bombs, Chemical bombs and even toy bombs were used against the population. All big cities, including Grozny (400,000 population), Godasmir and Shali (each with population of 100,000) were completely destroyed. Thus, a country of 1.2 million population and 13,000 sq. km. of area presents a picture of a ruin. More than 300,000 people have migrated and are living very miserable life while the remaining have become homeless in their own homeland. There is no sign of life in Chechnya. While accurate figure is difficult to know, the number of the martyrs and the wounded is somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000.

Despite the blatant use of force and the huge imbalance of power, the army, which had invaded with the claim that it would complete its occupation in two weeks, and which has done whatever it could in destroying the country and dispersing its population, is compelled to admit that the war may drag on for many more years. The speaker of the Russian Duma Mr. Gennady Selegnev pronounced on March 5:

"Chechens are not the kind of people who admit defeat. The presence of Russian troops in Chechnya will last for decades." (The Nation, March 6, 2000).

Russian forces' use of force and the extent of destruction along with the war crimes provide sufficient basis for holding them as criminals against humanity. Talking to the US senators, Russian scientist Andre Sakharov's widow Elena Bonner has said in clear words that:

"Russia's war against Chechnya is a dastardly criminal act against humanity. For political benefit Putin has waged this unjust war. Lack of strong action by the world has encouraged Russia to continue its bloody war in Chechnya." (Quoted in Commentary, Bulletin of the International Movement for a Just World, Kuala Lumpur, February 2000).

Video films of Turk and German war correspondents and witnesses of the US Human Rights Group as well as of Amnesty International leave no room to doubt that Russians are guilty not only of imposing a unilateral war, but have committed dreadful crimes of genocide, torture, concentration camps, mass killings of those innocent and helpless men, women and children who were fleeing the war-hit areas, and mass-graves.

Russia's third crime is that it committed war and genocide merely for personal political gains. There can be no doubt that Yeltsin government had failed on all counts. Five prime ministers were made and unmade in just three years. Crimes were on the increase. What was being called a democratic experiment was nothing but a mockery of it. Luke Delahaye of Newsweek has thus summed up his experience of ten years:

"Ten years after the beginning of reform, injustice is installed as a system and the landscape frozen with chaos, without perspective or illusions. It would be simplistic to talk only about an economic disaster confronting the people we met. The land is one of violence, abandoned children, tuberculosis, drug addiction, prostitution, homelessness and of course - now more than ever - alcoholism is what Russia now faces, and what I have photographed is a deep social, moral and cultural crisis."

In such circumstances, it was clear that Yeltsin and his cohorts had failed and that he could not win the forthcoming presidential elections. Moreover, Yeltsin, his family and cronies were tainted with allegations of worst financial corruption. With the peculiar Bazentine mentality, a bloody scheme was prepared for coming to grips with the situation. Leveling allegation on Chechnya, an army invasion was planned. Vladimir Putin, a confidant of Yeltsin and KGB's former head, was made prime-minister and appointed presidential candidate and acting president, in quite a dramatic move. In one of his interviews, Putin thus describes his character:

"It was a hooligan, not a pioneer. Seriously, I was a real ruffian." (The Times, March 17, 2000)

There are evidences that Putin was hands in glove with Yeltsin in financial matters and after Yeltsin could be trusted for protecting his interests. Putin provoked national chauvinism and used the war to cover up the failure of the Yeltsin-experiment. Playing with public sentiments and exploiting the war hysteria, he gambled for political ends. This game is being played with dexterity and media's support, while Chechen people have been used as canon fodder.

The heinous plan we are talking about is nothing secret. We are clearly seeing it and international observers are admitting to that. Irony, however, is that the UN, the US, the European nations and even the Muslim rulers have not dared to come out "to speak the truth" and Muslims are being killed just for a political game.

Newsweek's correspondent writes, three months after the war:

"Three months ago it appeared that Yeltsin's enemies were going to win the next presidential elections. In the Kremlin, the idea that Yeltsin and his inner circle might be held accountable by a successor regime for alleged corruption became a major concern. Today Moscow cynics believe the war in Chechnya coming just three years after Russia's last engagement there ended in defeat, was a desperate measure to create a vehicle on which a pro-Yeltsin candidate could ride to success."
(Dec. 20, 1999)

The last act of this game was staged on Dec. 31 when Yeltsin appointed Putin as the acting president and who in return guaranteed in writing that Yeltsin and his family would not be subject to any accountability. This all is happening in the open but fails to move what is called the 'world community'. This betrays its being accomplice!

Russia's fourth crime is that its war is of greed and plunder of resources just like different nations of Europe had been imposing on humanity during the last 500 years. The reasons which account for Chechnya's importance include its agricultural potentials, mineral and energy resources and its geographic centrality. It provides key to access to Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Central Asia and Caspian Sea. The pipeline for the supply of Azeri oil, for which agreement has recently been signed between Azerbaijan and some Western countries, would go through Chechnya. Similarly, Kazak pipeline goes through Chechnya to Russia. To control these resources and to keep these areas under its influence, Russia wants to dominate Chechnya. That is why, despite repeated humiliations, it is prepared to go to any extent, like eliminating entire populations, to realize its design. This is purely a colonial war, a condemnable attempt for controlling the resources of others. This, in itself, is a crime against humanity.

The last in the list of Russian crimes is its hostility against Islam and trying to block any Islamic movement and revivalist trend or the formation of a government of Islamic principles. Islamic revivalist movements are an important target of Russian propaganda. These are being defamed as "Wahabism". Derogatory remarks are used against Afghan Jihad. Osama bin Laden's specter is haunting them. Sufi Islam is talked about, though it is a fact that Naqshbandia and other Sufi chains have been in the vanguard of struggle against Russia. But the question is: how can Russia or any other country force people in not living life according to their own beliefs and ideals and rather accept a subordinate role to Russia. This is a pure colonial approach, tolerating which may lead to ideological suicide.

It is Russia that has committed these crimes, but the US and Western nations have fully helped it in carrying and continuing the bloody game. They are all accomplices. America and European Community's countries hold that Chechnya as Russia's internal issue. Clinton and Albright said they supported Russian efforts against terrorism. Even when some references were made to 'human rights' and 'disproportionate use of force', the admonition was in so mild words that it could only encourage the perpetrators of cruelty. During this whole period, America and Germany extended full financial assistance and technical support. IMF and Western countries provided billions of dollars to Russia which, according to its finance minister Mikhail Kasyanov, enabled it to manage its defense budget. He had clearly said that Russian forces needed weapons, food and finance and a review of the budget was necessary in the wake of war in Chechnya. IMF, Western nations and Banks provided these. In July 1999, IMF extended $ 6.2 billion and invasion on Chechnya started just after six months. Recently, IMF has pledged to provide additional $ 3 billion. Once Germany indicated on a cut to assistance, but was prevented by America whose president, Clinton, began to see democracy in danger. Clinton connived at Putin's all crimes and rather applauded him. The US Security Advisor Sandy Berger was audacious and shameless in saying:

"The United States is not considering ending of economic assistance in protest against Moscow's policy towards Chechnya... Cutting it off would only be against our interests." (Statement, Dec. 20, 1999)

The basic reason for this is the fact that America and Russia have no difference in respect of their interests.

Lian Levin, Amnesty International's representative, quite clearly said that:

" ... the 15-member UN Security Council would not take the initiative on Chechnya because two of the Big Five - the United States and Russia - have struck a deal."

Russian crimes in Chechnya were possible only with the silent and all-out support of America and Western nations. Eric Margolis has rightly said that:

"The Clinton administration, which is largely financing Russia's genocide in Chechnya, supplied Russia attack helicopters with advanced US night-vision devices 'to combat terrorism', says the White House. Bill Clinton recently called for 'liberation' of Grozny by Russia. Yet he cannot understand why so many Muslims see America as their enemy."

Not to condemn America and the Western nations, along with Russia, would not only go against justice and truth but amount to ignoring the real source of strength of the enemy, and thus may prove fatal.

While the role of America and Western nations deserves condemnation, the question is: Is the role of leadership in Muslim countries any better? Not only that OIC is keeping abominable quiet, the head of its delegation and Iran's foreign minister have knelt a blow by declaring Chechnya an internal issue of Russia. Kuwait crossed all limits when it entered an agreement with Russia for checking terrorism in Northern Caucus. Moreover, it would help Russia to find out the sources of financial support for the Chechen Republic!

Qatar, Pakistan and, to an extent, Saudi Arabia have adopted a relatively careful policy but none has come out for the help of the right and rejection of the wrong. It is only Afghanistan and non-Muslim Estonia who have openly recognized Chechnya. These two are themselves affectees of Russian aggressions.

The distance and disloyalty the leaderships in Muslim countries have with the Ummah exposes the ailment that is keeping the Ummah from discharging its duties. While this is the sorry condition of the leaderships, Muslim masses' hearts are thumping with their Chechen brethren. Fearless of being declared 'terrorists' or admonished by the West, they are anxious to help their brothers participating in Jihad and are praying for them day and night. The heart of the masses, despite all their weaknesses, is at right while leaderships' case, as Qur'an says, "In their hearts is a disease, and Allah has increased their disease".

The bravery, courage and valor of the poorly armed Chechen Mujahideen is a lighthouse with darkness all around. According to the available information, despite the great imbalance of power 8,500 Russian troops including a general and 38 other senior officials, were killed during the last six months of the war. Another 4,000, including yet another general, were wounded. Similarly, 24 Russian service planes and helicopters, 33 tanks and 28 armored vehicles were destroyed. A large number of Russians was taken as prisoners of war. In addition, there is a good number of Russian soldiers who embraced Islam during the current or 1996 war and are since cooperating with Mujahideen.

Though innocent Muslim population was subjected to huge losses to life and property, yet the morale of Mujahideen is high and they are waging a guerrilla war. Till the time of our writing, major portion of the force of Mujahideen was intact. The number of Mujahideen killed or injured runs in a few thousands and the rest of the Mujahideen have divided themselves along three defense lines to wage a prolonged war. A movement for Jihad and unity is gaining strength with each passing day in whole of North Caucus. A Congress of the Muslims of Chechnya and Dagestan has been formed. It is supporting Jihad and raising people for the cause. It is quite likely a possibility that the scope of war would grow further. Even the current situation is that Russians do not stay at night in areas that have been occupied by them and instead feel protected only in cantonments. Chechens see life in Jihad only and a nation that is prepared to offer sacrifices for its faith and independence cannot be subjugated. Slavery takes root in mind and thinking and those who are not prepared to accept it cannot be enslaved. This is a proven lesson of history that has been witnessed by Chechen Muslims in the past and in the present. Their credo is that a day of the life of dignity is better than hundreds of years life of slavery.

Chechen war is a mirror in which Muslim Ummah can see its dilapidation, can diagnose its ailment, and can trace future's course of events. Friends and enemies all are seen quite clearly. This depicts schemes of international conspiracy and hegemonic dominance. This also shows the way to regaining the lost heritage of Muslims. Our past, present and future are all reflected and what is needed is the eye to see, the insight.

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Translation and adaptation of the editorial of Tarjuman Ul Quran April 2000.