Chechnya: Russia's Kosovo

                                      Jef Bossuyt [Workers' Party of Belgium] (October 13, 1999)

On October 7 the Chechen president Maskhadov sent a letter to the new Nato secretary-general George Robertson.
The president of the rebellious Russian republic called upon him "to intervene in accordance with the new world
order established by Nato" (1).

Today 118,000 Chechens are fleeing from a war that started already 277 years ago. In 1722 czar Peter the Great incorporated Daghestan into the Russian empire. Ever since the region of Chechnya has been used as a crowbar to force a way into Russia from the south and to invade the country.

In 1918 the "White" general Denikin occupied Chechnya. He formed part of an international coalition trying to undo the 1917 bolshevik revolution. During the intervention English and French war ships crossed the Black Sea and troops disembarked in the Caucasian harbours of Sukhumi and Novorossiysk. They were repelled and the Red Army acclaimed as victors in Chechnya in 1920 (2).

In 1942 the German Nazis occupied part of Chechnya. Many Chechens collaborated and joined German volunteer units, fighting the Red Army (3). The Chechens were relocated to other parts of the Soviet Union to prevent a second front from attacking in the rear. In the fifties these people returned to Chechnya.

In 1989 the American press demanded the Soviet Union be dissolved and opened up to the free market and western multinationals. The first republics to secede were Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The "Popular Fronts" that organized the secession received help from a general of Chechen origin, Diokhar Dudaev. In August 1991 Dudaev supported Yeltsin's coup d'etat and the end of the Soviet Union. In December 1991 he proclaimed the independence of Chechnya and designated himself as its president. Since the Soviet Union has been dissolved, the western powers have set out to break up the Russian state in order to secure their control on Eurasia. The strategist of the United States of America, Zbigniew Brzezinski, phrased it this way: "A more open Russian confederation, consisting of a European Russia, a Siberian republic, and a
republic in the Far East, would speed up its development. Each of these three constituents would also be more capable of developing its own creative potential, that has been suppressed for centuries by Moscow's leaden burocracy of " (4).

Chechnya no longer recognized the authority of Moscow and appropriated the petroleum transported through its territory. In December 1994 the Russian troops invaded the region. A bloody war made 70,000 victims, in particular during the Russian aerial bombardments, till the last Russian soldiers left Chechnya in 1996. In April 1996 a Russian missile hit Diokhar Dudaev, while he was placing a satellite phone call.

Elected as the new president in 1997, Aslan Maskadov signed an armistice with the Russian general Lebed. In 1998 a group of Chechen war lords led by Shamil Basaev demanded president Maskhadov to resign, because of his reconciliatory position towards Moscow.

In August 1999 the war lords Shamil Basaev and Khatab invaded the neighbouring Russian republic of Daghestan. They murdered police officers, hoisted the green flag of the "Islamic republic" and advanced on the capital Makhachkala. In the Russian cities of Moscow, Buynaksk and Volgodonsk bomb outrages killed 292 civilians in September. Russia imputed the bomb attacks to the Chechens and replied with mass retaliatory bombardments on Chechen villages as well as on the capital of Grozny. In the beginning of October the Russian army invaded the north and occupied a third of the Chechen territory. On 7 October Maskadov sent a letter to Natosecretary-general George Robertson. He asked him "to intervene in the settlement of the relations between the Chechen republic and Russia, in accordance with the norms of international law and the new world order established by Nato" (1).

 A Holy War for Petrol

The two thousand soldiers of Shamil Basaev to invade Daghestan were remarkably professionally
trained, supplied, and armed. They had at their disposal Stinger-2 rockets, reserved by Nato for its most loyal
member states. With these rockets they destroyed three helicopters in front of the TV cameras. During the invasion
in Chechnya they used them to bring down a Sukhoi-25 war plane as well as a Sukhoi-25 bomber, one of the best in
the world. It recalls the period when the CIA overtly supplied Stingers to the Afghan resistance opposing the Soviet
troops.The money appears to come from the pro-western regimes of the Arab oil countries. General Khatab originates from Jordan, where he organized king Hussain?s Chechen body-guard. The invasion has allegedly been sponsored with 20 million dollars from Jordan (4bis).

According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica one of the financiers of Shamil Basaev's troops is the Saudi oil billionaire Ben Laden. "His favourite residence is Afghanistan. However, his contacts with the Chechen war lords date from 1997. He would have offered money to Khatab in exchange for the training of his followers in the Chechen guerilla camps. Convinced of his project to establish a unified Muslim state in the Caucasus, he would have invested 25 million in the operation of Basaev and Khatab. In February the World Front of the Jihad was raised in Pakistan with the help of Ben Laden. It intends to unify the main integrist currents. It supports the armed rebellions in Tadjikistan, Uzbekistan, Daghestan, and Chechnya." (5)

In Afghanistan Ben Laden had fulfilled the role of ally for the United States against the Russians. Meanwhile however he became a nuisance and was chased... to Chechnya.

"His position", La Repubblica writes, "has become more and more difficult in Afghanistan. The US have decided to use every means, including diplomatic, to exert pressure on Pakistan and force the Taliban to extradite him. The Afghan soil became too hot for him and he would have chosen Chechnya as a safer haven. The Russians have no say in the matter and the US won't bombard him as it is Russian territory." (5)

The Chechen war lords declared as their objective "to establish a Muslim state and to chase the Russians from the Caucasus". This objective perfectly fits the scheme of the American and European oil multinationals. They want to control the petroleum fields and transports in the Caucasus and therefore eliminate the pipe-lines on Russian territory. All oil would then have to be transported through Georgia or Turkey, two states controlled by the US. For the Arab oil countries the war is the ideal means to weaken their Azerbaijani rival, the export lines of which are being threatened.

The US and the Strategy of Terror

In the magazine Military Review (6) the American major Raymond C. Finch describes the use of terrorists in the
military strategy of the United States.

"The future war", Finch writes, "is most likely not the son of Desert Storm [the war against Iraq], rather it will be the stepchild of Somalia and Chechnya. In Somalia, despite overwhelming superiority in firepower and technology, a group of lightly-armed 'rebels' effectively forced the US military out of the country. For the time being at least, the Chechens, under the courageous leadership of Shamil Basaev, have won their independence and freedom.

In august 1991 Basaev was in Moscow, and armed with a couple of hand grenades, went to help defend Yeltsin in the Russian Parliament. In 1992 he hijacked a passenger plane in the nearby city of Mineralnye Vody demanding the Russians lift the state of emergency or the plane would be blown up.

In 1995, concealed in two trucks Basaev and about 150 handpicked fighters would enter Russian territory. His intent was to reach Moscow and unleash something of the terror the residents of Chechnya had been exposed to for the past six months. He hoped to force the Russian leaders to the negotiating table. In Budennovsk, a city 120 km north of the Chechen border, the local police stopped him. Reaching the hospital, they sealed the exits. There were 1500 patients in the hospital. He positioned hostages along the windows to discourage the Russians from shooting. Over a hundred of the hostages were killed, when special forces attempted to storm the hospital. To insure safe passage, Basaev demanded that a number of hostages accompany the Chechens back to Chechnya. It took some time for the Russians to assemble six buses. The convoy entered into Chechnya, hostages were released and Chechens began to celebrate.

Conventional military prowess is no match against rebel forces, led by skilled and committed leaders. The notion that the battlefield is isolated and that fighting is restricted to those who wear uniforms is absurd. As we move into the 21st century, the structure of the game appears to be changing. In a football game the uniformed players only compete against an opposing team. Soldiers fight other soldiers. Now some of these players have moved up into the stands, wreaking all sorts of havoc.

The military appears to insist upon maintaining the notional divide between military and criminal operations. But it must develop the necessary doctrinal concepts to handle a wider variety of villains and challenges."

The conclusion of the American major Finch reads that "the methods Basaev has employed are cruel and vicious, and have often been in violation of recognized laws of warfare. At the same time, however, his actions, when cast in the light of Chechen independence, are courageous and praiseworthy." (6) As such it is clairly said that support to terrorists like Ben Laden or Shamil Basaev poses no problem, in so far as they take action against the adversaries of America.

In a second stage, as soon as the dirty job is fixed, they have to give way to an intervention of Nato "peace-keeping forces". The terrorists are being put aside, although it's not always plain sailing. Major Finch: "Finally, the US must be wary with whom it shares its military skills and secrets. Basaev illustrates the problems that can develop when legitimate governments elect to provide military training and equipment to dubious allies. Today's freedom fighters might be transformed into tomorrow's terrorists." (6)

The same attitude with respect to terror the US also assumed in Kosovo. Until the end of 1998 they declared -- rightly -- the Kosovar Liberation Army UCK was a terrorist organization, a drugs gang. Still the US decided to support the UCK since their terror was in the interest of the West. The increasing violence between Kosovars and Serbs procured Nato a pretext to bombard Yugoslavia and invade and occupy Kosovo.

The Sister of Many Wars

Daghestan

The import of petroleum to Russia does not necessarily have to run through Chechnya. For a long time already Russia has been
planning an alternative pipe-line through Daghestan to the east. Since Basaev has invaded Daghestan last August, no single
petroleum company still intends to invest a penny in it.

Karachay-Cherkess

Chechnya could also be bypassed to the west by means of a pipe-line through Karachay-Cherkess. Is it a coincidence that also
there a separatist movement blazes up? On August 27 police forces shot into the crowd when thousands of ethnic Cherkess
stormed the central square of the capital and surrounded government buildings. "These supporters of Dierev refused to
recognize the newly elected president Semionov and are only interested in the establishment of their own republic and the
secession from Karachay-Cherkess." (7)

"According to the historian Rachid Khatuev the first aim of the secession is the control over the pipe-line Baku-Novorossiysk.
If one manages to bypass Chechnya and Daghestan, for instance with tankers up to Astrakhan, then this is no longer possible
for the harbour of Novorossiysk. To whom is this of use? The Cherkess have a large diaspora abroad, especially in Turkey,
where they have quite some influence. During the elections in Cherkess even the prince of Jordan came, Ali Ben Hussain, the
brother of king Hassan. He called to vote for Dierev. The mother of the Jordan prince may well be Cherkess, what does he
take up with our elections?" (8)

Azerbaijan

This oil state tries to reconquer Nagorno-Karabakh, officially belonging to Azerbaijan but being occupied by militias of the
Armenian population. Russia supplies arms to Armenia. On June 17 the Azerbaijani Minister of Defence Safar Abijev asked
that "Nato be involved in solving the conflict". Earlier already Azeirbaijani spokesmen had proposed to Nato to set up a military
base. In Baku one believes a clear parallel to exist between Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan has suggested to
send a ?peace force? to Kosovo and its soldiers participate in manoeuvers in Canada within the framework of Nato's
"Partnership for Peace" (8bis).

Afghanistan

From 1979 till 1989 a guerilla war was waged against the Soviet troops occupying Afghanistan. The insurgents were armed by
the United States with Stinger rockets and financed by the Saudi wealth of Ben Laden (9). However, after having dislodged the
Soviet army the Afghan Shiite national bourgeoisie of president Najibullah leant towards Iran, which was a thorn in the flesh of
the United States. The US and Saudi-Arabia therefore supported the Taliban, a Sunnite Muslim organization operating from
Pakistan (10). In October 1996 the Taliban captured the capital Kabul and Ben Laden became a national hero. The Taliban
since advance on the north and now threaten the neighbouring country of Uzbekistan.

Tadjikistan

In 1992 the Islamic Party of the Resurrection seized power. They were supported from Iran, where the same language is
spoken. Furthermore there were ties with the secessionist movements in the Baltic states and support was received from
?democrats? such as Yeltsin. However, kolkhoz farmers rose in armed revolt and brought president Rakhmonov to power. The Islamic opposition fled to Afghanistan. Later on they returned, "now sponsored by Pakistan, in neat American uniforms, with Stingers and night watchers, Motorola radio stations and jeeps" (11). A bloody civil war followed, causing 200 000 victims and 500 000 refugees. In June 1997 Rakhmonov conceded one third of the minister offices to the Muslim opposition. The country has since become a focus of unrest for its neighbours. The Russian border units appear to be incapable of stopping infiltrations.

Kirghizia

In August the Uzbek opponent Juma Namangan invaded this country from Tadjikistan with 2000 men. The point of time as well
as the scenario were identical to Basaev's invasion of Daghestan. The war lord Namangan had fought Islamic rebels in
Tadjikistan before and later on had engaged the Taliban in Afghanistan. His forces consists of Tadjiks, Afghans, Arabs, and
Uzbeks (12). They took four Japanese geologists as hostages, who were on gold prospection, as well as the commander of the
Kirghiz security services. President Akaev has asked for military support from Russia and Uzbekistan (12).
 

The Group of Shanghai

In response to the offensive to surround and break up Russia from the south, new alliances are being drawn. The 'Three'
(China, Russia, and India) are lining up against the 'Seven' (the seven richest countries). China realizes that if the West succeeds
to carve up Russia, China becomes the next target. Among the Uigur population of China agitation is rising in favour of an
"own, independent, and Islamic" state of Turkestan in Central Asia. This secession movement takes example by Taiwan and
Tibet. India, traditionally an ally of Russia, fights a conflict with Pakistan concerning Kashmir.

The 'Three' and their Allies

On August 25 the fifth summit of the "Group of Shanghai" took place in Kirghizia. It comprises the presidents of China, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, and Tadjikistan (8). They discussed the question of terrorism in their respective countries. They
objected to "the pretext of human rights to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries" and pleaded the cause of a
"multipolar world". This clearly means: against a world dominated by Nato. The alliance was sealed by the sale of Russian
C-30 jet-fighters to China.

The 'Seven'

Opposing the 'Three' and their allies, the 'Seven', which comes to the Nato countries, are seeking for support points to their
offensive in the region. Turkey reckons Georgia and Azerbaijan among its sphere of influence. Afghanistan and Pakistan are a
base for the Muslim war lords, who are to "chase the Russians from the Caucasus". And obviously Chechnya.

 
Logic consequence of state terror

Declaration of the CC of the Russian Communist Workers' Party (Victor Tyulkin)

Chechen terrorism is being caused by yeltsinism

"A series of terrorist outrages has started with the explosion in the commercial centre on Manezhnaya Square in
Moscow. It was continued with the explosions in the Russian cities of Buynaksk, Moscow, and Volgodonsk. It
merely announces the escalation of what has been developing in Russia and the former Soviet republics for a long
time. The new aspect is carried by the fact that civil wars and bloody violence used to take place at the borders of
Russia only, but now also spill over to the capital.

The real reason of the events is the annihilation of the socialist society. Before power and law were directed towards the
equality of people on a social and national level. However, at present a society is being built on the basis of overt inequality and
property. This has invoked the meanest tendencies amongst people, a cruel power struggle, the separatism of national elites,
and, centrally, the principle of ?divide and conquer?.

In all conflicts opposing civilians and nationalities in the former Soviet Union the currently ruling regimes of the CIS (the
Commonwealth of Independent States) are guilty. The main culpable is the clique of Yeltsin and his western sponsors. It has
been known for a long time that the best friends of the Russian ?democrats?, the United States of America, make plans to
dismantle, after the Soviet Union, now also Russia. In this they attach an important role to the region of the Caucasus as well as
to the Islamic factor. The US attempt to divert the Muslim terrorists from American imperialism and direct them to Russia.

The Chechen card is not being played for the first time. Today we witness the expansion towards Russian territory, which has
been predicted by specialists for a long time. The motives of the Kremlin and the Chechen rulers are identical. They want to
reign their own people as well as other peoples. They hunger for power and profits and are afraid to take the responsibilty for
their actions. Therefore they have the same methods to secure their dominion and to stick to power.

The shelling of the parliament building in October 1993 was a no less shameful and grievous crime than a blowing up of
residential areas. Also during "black October" hundreds of innocent people have perished. The existence of Chechnya in its
current form is the result of Yeltsin's statement: "Take as much of independence as you can swallow!" and of the war he
launched from 1994 till 1996. In fact, Yeltsin is not only the godfather of Maskhadov, but also of Basaev and Khatab. It is no
coincidence that during the CIS parliamentary elections of 1995 the Chechen leaders cast most votes for the government party
?Our Home Russia?, 48%. Also for the presidential elections of 1996 Yeltsin received hardly anywhere else more support than
here, 73%. The constituency of Chechnya (and its most peculiar candidate and guarantor, the Russian regime) extend their
deadly sphere of influence.

In order to answer the question "Who benefits from this?", one has to start from the following series of remarkable results.

Firstly. One diverts the attention from the social problems and the regress the Russian people suffer from. These have caused
millions of victims already and will cause as many still. One diverts the attention from the scandals and financial affairs revealed,
which high-ranking officials are involved in.

Secondly. One creates a tension of fear within society. This tension serves to consolidate society around the current regime,
which pretends to fight terrorism.

Thirdly. The repelling image of the "terrorist-extremist" is impressed into social conscience. The horror for such figures is easily
transmitted by the media to political opponents who assume a radical position, in particular the communists.

Fourthly. In any case one is creating the conditions for martial law to be declared, oppressing the opposition.

Conclusion

The origin for the bloody tragedies is the ruling regime and its policy of restoring capitalism in Russia. To stop the tragedy the
power of the anti-popular forces has to be broken on all levels, from Yeltsin to Maskhadov. The workers are to reestablish the
real power of the people in the shape of Soviets. (13)
 

References

(1) ORT TV-News, 10-7-99 and Newsline, 10-8-99

(2) Le Monde Diplomatique, January 1995

(3) Etudes Marxistes / Marxistische Studies, September 1996, p 125

(4) Zbigniew Bzezinski, The big chess-board, 1997, in Etudes Marxistes / Marxistische Studies, January 1999, p 124

(4bis) Itar-Tass, 10-1-99

(5) La Repubblica, 9-10-99

(6) R.C. Finch, Foreign Military Studies Office, A face of future battle: Chechen Fighter Shamil Basaev, Military Review,
June-July 1997

(7) Izvestia, 9-7-99

(8) Moskovskie Novosti 33, 9-6-99

(8bis) Paul Goble, Newsline, 6-18-99

(9) www.stratfor.com, 10-12-99

(10) Le Monde, 10-8-96

(11) Alexander Sivov, eye-witness account in "Patriot"

(12) Far Eastern Economic Review, September 1999

(13) Trudovaya Rossia 17 (98), 9-23-99