From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng (Original Message) Sent: 11/30/2005 8:40 AM
London Conference, November 25: notes of proceedings
30.11.2005 - 00:39:48
''History will find it hard to forgive Putin for this obduracy and his lack of wisdom and political skill. Chechnya is symptomatic of what is wrong in Russia...''
''The attitude of Russian authorities is, 'If you're a Muslim, you're a part of the problem'.''
Some notes at the November 25 London conference. They do not constitute a comprehensive record.
Notes below for readers' possible interest, with apologies to the speakers for all errors, omissions and misrepresentations.
CONFERENCE on 25 November 2005 at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University.
Organised by the UK-based charity Medical Aid and Relief for Children of Chechnya (MARCCH).
Professor George Hewitt, of SOAS, a trustee of MARCCH, chaired the conference and introduced the speakers.
Speakers:
Lord Rea, Lord Judd, Akhmad Zakayev, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Madina Megomedeva, Dr Khassan Baiev, Natalia Estemirova, Steve Crawshaw, Daniel Schriber, Andrew Jack, Chris Langton, Oksana Antonenko, John Russell, Vanessa Redgrave, Bill Bowring QC, Muhammad Shishani.
Mrs Satanay Dorken, on behalf of MARCCH, of which she is a trustee, appealed for support for the work of her charity in Chechnya.
At present the charity's main project is a campaign to combat TB among the very young. Mrs Dorken explained that there is an epidemic of TB in Chechnya that afflicts particularly the elderly, but also the children who are the hope for the future of Chechnya, and the charity is aiming to inoculate all children under the age of 4. Donations can be made through the charity's website, www.marcch.org.
Lord Judd's address to the Conference was particularly eloquent.
He despairs at the superficiality of journalism in relation to the Chechnya conflict. He pointed out that Russia is a member of the Council of Europe, and so Chechnya is a part of European reality. (Until 2003 Lord Judd was rapporteur for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and resigned in protest over the referendum on the constitution which he described as a "fraud" – he has made nine visits to Chechnya in the course of 3 ½ years). Judd is angered by the stupidity of Russian policy in Chechnya, which demonstrates the effect of a "law of counterproductivity": a policy that harms the efforts of the moderates and drives people in the direction of militant Islam.
History will find it hard to forgive Putin for this obduracy and his lack of wisdom and political skill. Chechnya is symptomatic of what is wrong in Russia.
Akhmad Zakayev's speech was in English. It seemed so important, in its focus on the legal foundation underpinning the independent state of Ichkeria.
Following Mr Zakayev's address, which was given in English, a message from His Royal Highness Prince Hassan of Jordan was read out.
The message was of good wishes for the success of the Conference, and expressed the importance of seeking a non-violent solution to the problems of Chechnya. It is imperative to base relations on international norms of law. HRH said Chechens are admired throughout Jordan for their honour and integrity. He hoped for peace, possibly under international supervision, and a subsequent "Marshall Plan" for the region.
During questions to the speakers, Mr Zakayev was asked for his explanation of the
appointment of Shamil Basayev to a senior post in the Sadulayev government. In his reply, Mr Zakayev stated that personally he is absolutely opposed to it, and had expressed this view to President Sadulayev. He has had no contact with Basayev since 2000.
Jeremy Corbyn MP in his address also referred to the inadequacy of reporting of the Chechnya situation, as a part of the total political failure to deal with the problem.
