THE INSTITUTIONAL FACE OF
COLLABORATIONISM:
INTERNATIONAL CIRCASSIAN
ASSOCIATION
Presented
By: Mr. Haci Bayram Polat
Date:
13-April-2008
William
Paterson University, New Jersey, USA.
First
of all, I’d like to thank to the organizers of this event; William Paterson
University’s Department of Languages and Cultures and Circassian Cultural
Institute, and hail you with estimation.
Today,
I’m going to illuminate International Circassian Association (ICA) that claims
representing Circassians around the world. How it was established and the point
it has reached…
Solely,
it’s necessary to cognize the background on which the Association was reared
and the conjuncture of its foundation period in order to analyze its roadmap
and founding philosophy properly. Therefore, we’ve to go 15 years back from the
foundation date of ICA.
In
the second half of 1970s – the Soviet era, some idealist Circassian youngsters
were circulating various texts which had been refusing the official history,
and making furtive readings. These exhilarating texts had been dealing with
cultural, social and political cases like functionalizing Circassian language,
together with episodes from the true history.
Following
the impacts of Glasnost and Perestroika policies, legal organization notion
came to the agenda; the cultural organization Ashemez was established by those
youngsters. People likened the Ashemez to the historical public assemblages and
named it as ‘Khase’.
The
mission of Ashemez involved with cultural activities and communal awakening.
During the biweekly gatherings, respected and specialist individuals had been
narrating on issues like native language, the return of the Diaspora, true
aspects of the Caucasian Wars, sustainability of the culture. On 21 May 1989 –
125th anniversary of Russian-Caucasian Wars’ end, a public commemoration event
has been arranged for the first time in the building of Kabardian Public
Theater. It was uttered again here for the first time that genocide has been
implemented on Highlanders and those wars were the national liberation struggle
of Caucasians. In other Republics (Karachay-Cherkes and Adygeya) where
Circassians live in, 21st of May Commemoration Events were started to be
organized following this date (21 May 1989). On the under work set by Ashemez –
in 1989, the Assembly of Caucasian Peoples was established without fulfilling
any lawful procedure. The Assembly was renamed in 1991 as Caucasian Peoples’
Confederation. As is known, Caucasian Peoples’ Organization was the structure
that had turned the fortune of an-Georgian War started on 14 August 1992 by
forwarding voluntary forces against Georgian troops.
As
an effective movement, Ashemez had effectuated to send Zaur NALOYEV, Muazin
KHECHETLOV and Mahamad SHEVKUYEV as its Deputies to the People’s Assembly of
Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in 1990. Those Deputies had undersigned many
important decisions process.
Soviet
Union was in a process of break-down. Circassian communities were in need of a
pioneering organization which would make a move for the determination of the
future of Circassian communities and unify the Diaspora and the Homeland. Based
on this conception, a meeting was hosted by the Circassian Association in the
Netherlands between 04 and 06 May 1990. 61 representatives attended to this meeting
from associations in Turkey and Germany with Ashemez and Rodina associations
from Kabardino-Balkaria Republic. The resolution of that meeting was as the
following:
To
establish a worldwide Circassian organization that would be located in the city
of Nalchik.
With
the scheduled meeting in Nalchik between 19-20 May 1991 hosted by Ashemez and
Rodina, International Circassian Association has been established and held its
first congress. Prof. Dr. Yuri KALMUKOV was elected as the 1st Chairman.
In
1993, the founder member Ashemez has renamed itself as Adyga Khase by vitally
achieving a political nature. Zaur NALOYEV was elected as the Chairman of the
new societal – political movement Adyga Khase. All of the national movements
and initiatives in the Caucasus were inspired by the Adyga Khase of Kabardino-Balkaria
that was following a consistent way. Caucasian Peoples’ Assembly (Caucasian
Peoples’ Confederation) and International Circassian Association were
established in the milieu constituted by Adyga Khase.
The
Founders of ICA had declared their objectives as below:
"We’re
concurrent on the opinion of the necessity of people’s own decision making in
order to exist as a nation, and it’s an ineluctable task to assist the children
of compatriots who were exiled from their homeland forcibly”.
Except
the objectives and working areas declared in the Statute, it’s possible to
abstract some conclusions adopted in various congresses and administrative
boards as below:
· Adoption
of a single Circassian alphabet and literary language,
· Increasing
the level of learning native language in schools,
· Increasing
the usage of languages with official status,
· Providing
the recognition of the Circassian Genocide and the deportation by Russia with
the assistance of international organizations,
· Obtaining
the right of dual citizenship,
· Establishing
strong radio and television stations and a satellite channel,
You
could easily predict that an organization with such crucial demands would not
be left "free”. As a matter of fact, fellows of the Russian intelligence agency
were involved in the formation since the beginning. Well intentioned people had
to work together with those who were disguising their malevolence. While well
intentioned people were endeavoring to do something, the malevolent always put
on brake by ‘acting according to the events’. Eventually, ICA could not move
along; got behind the assertive promises declared in congresses and meetings.
The
period mentioned above includes the phases below:
· 1991-93
– the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Yuri KALMUKOV
· 1993-96
– the Chairmanship of Abu SKHALAKHOV
· 1996-97
– the 2nd Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Yuri KALMUKOV
· 1997-2000
– the Chairmanship of Boris AKBASHEV (following the death of Yuri KALMUKOV)
In
this period, the Executives were not able to do anything serious because of the
Leak-outs. Anyway, the actions below were succeeded:
· Corporate
support for Abkhazians,
· The
short lived newspaper called Nart,
· The
magazine called Circassian World,
· A
parliamentary assembly congregating the Deputies from the parliaments of 3
Republics (Adygeya, Karachay-Cherkes and Kabardino-Balkaria),
· Membership
to UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization),
If
We bethink some of the tasks fulfilled by Kabardino-Balkaria Adyga Khase as
below, We can easily conceive how ICA was "amateur”:
A
Declaration of Sovereignty by Kabardino-Balkaria Parliament with the initiative
of Adyga Khase,
Making
of a law concerning the equal and equivalent rights of compatriots living in
the Diaspora with Circassians living in the Homeland,
Adoption
of returning of Circassian Diaspora as a governmental task,
Increase
of the amount of lectures at schools for Circassian language to %70 with Adyga
Khase leadership,
Promotion
of expansive usage of the native language together with dissemination of new
published books,
Adoption
of Circassian as an official language of Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in 1993,
Attempts
for intercessory negotiations between Dzhokhar DUDAYEV’S administration and
Russian Federation in order to prevent the Russian-Chechen War that started in
11 December 1994,
Demonstrations
and rallies against the War,
A
Declaration in order to stop the War with the signatures of Duma Members more
than 300 in 1995,
Litigation
to the Constitutional Court (RF) with the justification that a war is in
violation of the Constitution (RF),
Running
a weekly newspaper called Khase and issuing a diary for the War in Chechnya,
Applying
to the Government with 10.000 signatures in 1998 with a draft bill concerning
the definition of ethnic Adygas on all of the official documents as Circassian
(in Russian) and Adyga (in Circassian) (Unfortunately, then speaker of the
parliament Zaurbiy NEKHUSH who became the Chair man of ICA in 2000 and the
President (K-B) Valerie KOKOV have removed this draft bill from the agenda).
Leading
to the transformation of street and avenue names into local languages and
removal of symbols and monuments derived from the Communist Era,
These
endeavors "nationalizing the Republic(s)” had deranged Kremlin and its
collaborationists that great oppression were started to be implemented after
1998 on those who had realized these activities.
Adyga
Khase activists had been facing oppressions like sacking from job and school,
financial suppression, harming relatives, arrogation of properties and
threatening with a view to block Adyga Khase.
In
1999, the Minister of Justice of Kabardino-Balkaria Republic has taken
judicial proceedings in order to forbid Adyga Khase from dealing with political
issues. The Court has rejected this appeal. Opposition of Adyga Khase (the
founder member) executives to the efforts in order to make Valerie KOKOV the
Chairman of ICA which is the highest representative body of Circassians internationally
was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
At
this, they attempted to ‘buy’ the executives of Adyga Khase. According to
Russian media, employment at the Ministry of Sports and Tourism was offered to
the members of the executive board of Adyga Khase in return of the ruler ship
of Adyga Khase.
Despite
the oppressions, Adyga Khase executives have stood firm.
In
this period, fundamental changes had been occurring in the central
administration of Russian Federation. KGB trained Vladimir PUTIN became the
President of Russian Federation in 1999 as procurer and in 2000 as acting.
Nimble fingered Vladimir PUTIN has positioned all of His old colleagues from
KGB as key executives in federal bodies. After that, He started an operation
which can be called as a ‘counter-revolution’ when considered the rights
obtained in 1990s. He muzzled media and pres and shut opposing businessmen in
prison, counteracted the Parliament, renationalized the energy sources, etc.
Vladimir PUTIN, who abolished all of His dissidents, centralized the power. In parallel
with those operations, NGOs were started to be under pacification under the
control of the regime.
Although
He had no right for the post of Presidency of Kabardino-Balkaria Republic for
3rd time, Valerie KOKOV was nominated as President again by Kremlin
illegally. Valerie KOKOV had transformed the Republic into a police state and dominance
the way of governance desired by Kremlin by means of Khachim SHOGENOV.
Adyga
Khase resisting the regime of Valerie KOKOV had been suppressed with an
inelegant operation.
Firstly,
an extra-ordinary plenary meeting has been organized on behalf of Adyga Khase
by FSB spies. However, according to the Statute, an extra-ordinary plenary
meeting could only be organized in case of a demand from 2/3 of the executives.
By
disregarding laws, the real powers of Adyga Khase were banished forcibly. Spies
like Kosta EFENDIYEV, Hauti SOKHROKO and Mohammed KHAFITZE who have never been
a member, had seized the authority of Adyga Khase in a despotic way. People’s
representatives like Zaur NALOYEV had been humiliated.
New
executives announced that Adyga Khase would hereafter deal with only cultural
issues instead of political endeavors by disclaiming former activities.
New
executives also designated the delegation of Adyga Khase which would
participate in the elections of ICA.
Using
similar methods, the General Assembly of ICA have been seized on 25 July 2000.
The delegation from Turkey and other guests, who have been informed on the
situation, required a commentary from Hauti SOKHROKO. But They were writhed
under insults like the sayings of Hauti SOKHROKO: "Do not interlope..! Follow
Us or go away..!”. Because of the apology of Hauti SOKHROKO for His blasphemy
one night ago during the General Assembly session - the representatives of
the member associations (including the delegation from Turkey) who promised the
former executives of Adyga Khase that They would question the treatment
They’ve faced one night ago, withdrew from that; by abandoning the people whom
They promised to claim for natural rights. In this way, they suddenly connived
at an illegal coup. Both the Speaker of the Parliament of Kabardino-Balkaria
Republic and the regional head of the ruling United Russia Party – Zaurbiy
NEKHUSH became the Chairman of ICA. Consequently, ICA became a "controlled”
organization and began to be called by both public and media as "Agents Club”.
ICA
deserves that name (Agents Club) with its permanent staff FSB (KGB) spies like Anatoly
KADZOKOV, Mohammed KHAFITZEV, Vladimir NAKATSEV and BARASBIY BERAZGIYEV as
executives.
By
the way, we should not forget veteran Alexander OKTA who made a statement on
July 2003 to RFERL from Prague as below:
"The
statutes of Republics in the Caucasus ought to be eliminated and the peoples
should confine themselves with making use of only cultural rights.”
This
phrase proves how He’s loyal to Russian imperialism.
The
operations of ‘nationalizing’ NGOs in Russian Federation have begun with ICA
and Adyga Khase operations in 2000. Communist surplus Nomenclature has
guaranteed their posts by the operations in Adyga Khase and ICA, and they have
given the message below to ‘iron hand’ V. PUTIN:
"The
NGOs both in the Diaspora and the Caucasus are under ‘control’..!”
ICA
that could not perform crucial task has become thoroughly dysfunctional,
discursive and flippant organization.
For
instance, according to the work program dated with 17.08.2003, ICA does not
deal with political activities;
"Today,
it’s frankly predicated that ICA does not take place in political activities…
If a member of ICA in any part of the world wants to enter politics, this ICA
member should finish with his/her membership to ICA and establish a political
party and then join political struggle”
It
is pity and riveting that Zaurbiy NEKHUSH who has the signature under this
document, was head of the regional section of the ruling United Russia Party.
This
person – Zaurbiy NEKHUSH – had remained in power until the congress of Istanbul
in 2006 for two periods, and he has become a Deputy in Duma from United Russia
Party in return of his "services”.
At
the ineffectual congress of Istanbul in 2006 where participants could not
have understood each other, Dzemikh Kasbolet was nominated as the Chairman.
If
you summarize activities of ICA since 1991, you encounter a big zero "0”.
Organizations
of the people can be only blocked and their expectations be destroyed just like
that.
After
the distraction of Adyga Khase and ICA, all of the acquisitions gained in
previous years have been mislaid; no challenging voice was heard from the
greatest Circassian organization against these losses.
Here
are the losses during the distraction of Adyga Khase and ICA:
· Law
relevant with the declaration of sovereignty,
· Law
on the condition for the President to be bilingual,
· Law
of Parity,
· Law
preventing outlander immigration to the Republic (K-B),
· Law
and regulations related to the promotion of Returning,
· %70
diminished broadcasts in native language on TVs and radios,
· Circassian
became optional course at schools instead of compulsory instruction language,
· By
creating visa and passport problems, early returnees have been deporting,
· The
right of Republics to elect their administrative staff has been seized,
Moscow
has begun to appoint all of the strategic chairs and posts like presidents,
ministers of the interior, president judges, heads of security bodies, heads of
tax offices, heads of central bank…
In
Kabardino-Balkaria and other republics of the Caucasus, ministry of justice has
been cancelled and its authorizations have been transferred to a committee in
Rostov on Don,
Local
authorities have lost their initiatives on governmental agencies to the
advantage of Southern Federal Okrug – Rostov on Don,
Following
the tragedy of Beslan in 2004, legal arrangements concerning the appointment of
heads of federal units instead of election method,
During
putting out a feeler about the integration of the Republic of Adygeya into
Krasnodar Kray in the frame of the project on merging federal unites with
eachother, ICA has failed with its passive attitude.
Vladimir
PUTIN has made a new leap forward to the Caucasus. By falsifying the history,
He has signed three distinct decrees under the topic "the 450 years Anniversary
of Voluntary Unification with Russia” of three republics where Circassians live
in; has led the administrations to organize celebration schedules by granting
astronomical financing. Dzemikh Kasbolet – the Chairman of ICA – has approved
this falsification by making written representations and ICA has become one of
the supporters of the Project with "Forever with Russia..!” slogans.
Even
though people perceive that as a distortion of the history and denial of
horrific tragedies lived by Circassians, unfortunately they could not express
their thoughts because of the lack of a NGO to voice their thoughts.
This
process proves that ICA is a collaborationist organization with the task of
"keeping communal demands under control”.
Could
they curry favor? No, they could not..!
Russia
still treats them as "blackheads”.
Last
year, Cihan CANDEMIR – the Chairman of Kaf-Fed which combines 56 associations
and represents Turkey at ICA – had been kept waiting in airport and two days
later deported. Also, the Deputy Chairman of ICA Orhan OZMEN had met with a
refusal for entry on the border. Yet, Cengiz GUL – the delegate of ICA and a
businessman – was remanded from Rostov on Don Airport.
All
of these prove that Russians claim our territories, not our people…
CONCLUSION
The
macro plan of V. PUTIN and His fellows is to exchange the federal system of
Russia that bases on ‘ethnic bases with territorial bases like in Germany (The
Federal Republic of Germany) and USA. Thereby, a significant progress toward
the assimilation of non-Russian ethnicities among Russian nation will be made.
Consequently, ‘challenge of nationalities’ that is the continual big problem of
Great Russia is going to be resolved. This is the fact behind the scenes of the
theatre being planned to be played on the status of the Republic of Adygeya.
The
mission adopted today by collaborationist organizations like Adyga Khase and
ICA, is to hinder any probable communal opposing movement while Russia
implementing its great plan, and to destroy it if any communal opposing
movement arises. Today, ICA is very successful about that; they exploit the
expectations and energy of the community and "bury” them.
IF
Circassian nation cannot get rid of those collaborationist organizations and
individuals who split the community and barricading it by noticing this game,
shall not keep its hope to exist in the future alive anymore.
I’d
like to thank you for your patience and salute you…
