Decmber, 13, 2005
Attribute of changes?
The Chechens asserting principles of independence, today had a rare opportunity to get encouragement of the European Union. Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the countries of Baltic sea, have accepted Akhjad Idigov in Strasbourg. Idigov - the head of committee of foreign affairs of Chechen parliament, which European Union considers, as the lawfully elected authority at free elections. Idigov has told, that he was accepted in Strasbourg, and his performance was perceived with approval to what positive responses testified during discussions. Deputies of EP who have organized A.Idigov's invitation, for performance have told, that the European states are favourable to the Chechen movement of independence, officially will try to lift this problem in the European parliament.
The European Parliament slowly departs from that line which before was characteristic for its attitude with east neighbours, especial with Russia. Change of tone has followed after the Europarliament has replenished with new deputies from 8 former communistic countries becoming new members of the European Union. Tunne kelam has told, that Russia can no longer hide abusing in the Chechen Republic behind a screen of "fight with international terrorism". He has noted, that if Moscow supervises a situation, it should be capable to guarantee normal conditions.
Nearly 25 members of the European Parliament representing Baltic-European group of the countries, have provided an audience of unusually high level for performance of ambassador o the Chechens asserting independence. Among deputies, listening to his performance, there were the most active deputies from 3 Baltic countries, and also from Finland, Germany and Britain. Next day they went on the meeting - protest of the Chechen refugees before a building of Europarliament against next farcical "elections of chechen parliament" under the Kremlin script.
In telephone interview of Radio Free Europe - Radio Freedom from Strasbourg Akhjad Idigov has told, that he is the representative of parliament abroad which was elected at elections in 1997. The international observers who then observed of voting, have recognized those elections free and fair. Idigov has told Radio Free Europe - Radio Freedom (RFE-RF), that their side aspires to achieve inclusion of a question of the Chechen Republic in the political agenda of the European Union: "In concrete terms, we want, that they have lifted a question that occurs in the Chechen Republic. I have in a kind of infringement, enormous victims among people of our country. Chechen people considers, that this question should be raised and considered". Idigov has told, that the European Union may not stand aside as the Chechen Republic is a part of Europe.
Tunne Kelman, the deputy from Estonia, played a leaging role in the organization of Idigov's visit in Europarliament. Kelam has told RFE-RF, that the question of the Chechen Republic is understood "incorrectly" almost in all the European Union. He has noted, that need of EU for the Russian petroleum and gas "in a huge degree reweigh" their concern infringements of human rights in the Chechen Republic. And maintenance of contact of politicians of EU with alive witnesses" is necessary for preservation of a urgency of this question in Europe: "I think, that it is most important to keep these questions in the agenda by means of contact to alive witnesses. One business to take into account statistics. Let's take, for example, an information leaflet about the Chechen Republic - how many thousand persons were killed during these two wars, how many became refugees, how many children have lost lifes and have lost houses. But other business - to have a full opportunity to communicate with representatives of Chechen people who saw all this with own eyes".
Idigov has told, that they will continue an opposition to attempts of Moscow to represent Chechens as "nation, unable to operate with own business". Tunne Kelman has continued his idea. He has told, that it is essential, that Chechens who want to change to the best conditions of the life, should not be considered "only as terrorists"
Idigov has told RFE-RF, that deputies of EP with the big interest listened to what happenes in his country. He has told, that many deputies asked him, that, in his opinion, should make EP to promote the resolution of conflict: "their interest has given me the basis to trust, that they will work in this direction, despite of the fact, that they are politics, despite of the fact, that this question may be decided only at participation of all European Union. Nevertheless, there is a need to raise this question and to show, that it is very sharp. And they have understood it and as it seemed to me, deputies will work on this questions".
On today's meeting with Idigov, the deputy from Lithuania Aloizas Sakalas was especially rigid concerning the list of the Russian evil deeds in the Chechen Republic. Sakalas has told, that Russia carries out the state terrorism which surpasses infringements of human rights autocratic regime in Byelorussia which is now condemned.
Kelam has told, that he has asked Russian delegation EP to give Idigov a word on tomorrow's (16.11.2005.) auditions. He has declared, that though EP has accepted many resolutions on Russia, mentioning problems in the Chechen Republic, the states of EU and the Eurocommission ignored the majority of them. However, he has told, attempts to force EU will take into account the Chechen Republic in mutual relation with Russia to proceed: "the terminal purpose should be, I think, separate, free discussion on the Chechen question in EP with acceptance of the resolution.
More practical is the question - rendering of the greater pressure upon the European commission that she began to pay much more attention to this problem in mutual relation with Russia. Eventually, it is the responsibility of the Russian government - to normalize the situation with Chechnya". "If it could not make it after 10 years of war then, probably, the most convincing argument will be, that for the Chechen Republic better than an autonomy is independence", - has concluded Kelam.
Idigov has told RFE-RF, that tomorrow is expected the meeting of protest in which will take part from 700 up to 1000 Chechen refugees. By his estimations, in Europe now are more than 50.000 displaced Chechens.
Brussels, November, 15 2005 (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
Chechenpress, 13.12.05
http://chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2005/12/13/04.shtml
