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Ex-President
of sovereign Ichkeria gave exclusive interview to IA «MARSHO»
Question:
Assalamu alaikum Zelimkhan! In what capacity do you currently find yourself
in Arab countries? Of what does your work consist? What are you doing at the
moment?
Zelimkhan:
Wa alaikumus salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh! Actually, my status has
approximately not changed from the moment of my journey abroad, though
significant changes have occurred, if we take into account formal side: since
more than one year, I have not been representing official leadership of CRI,
because of definite reasons, caused after initial period of my foreign policy
mission and after signing agreement of mutual recognition between CRI and
Afghanistan. Yet the same complex responsibility, I am still continuing to
fulfill according to my capability on behalf of leadership of Jihad in Chechnya
and as the ex-President of CRI.
My
former status, as is known, does not need any other authorization from any one,
and allows me to represent our country and nation more widely and, in certain
arenas, is even superior than the status of representative of official
leadership of CRI, as defined by that dual position in which we are happening,
in connection with non-recognition of state independence by formal world
community and the so-called international law.
Because
with its power, the whole world has been turned into clan structures of states
with military and political doctrines of international state terrorism, is
confined in their capabilities to cooperate us on official level. For example
Afghanistan, which declared a brave challenge to criminal system of
international state terrorism and selected the right way for managing its
society and life on this earth and that is the reason, that it recognized our
state independence. The rest of Islamic countries proved, practically, less
sovereign in their affairs and actions, showing fundamental sovereignty of any
stat and defining its international face. There are some countries, I mean
Islamic countries, which may desire to recognize us, but it is said, that their
guts are thin. The incapability of our states – one of the basic reason of
misfortune and problems of Muslim Ummah, includes failure of international
diplomacy of Chechen state.
But
there is another side of this medal: It is lack of state access to solution of
state issues by our leader, the narrow-clan and mercantile nature of its
approach to problem of forming bodies of foreign policy and political
representations abroad, the habit of acting on the unimportant talks of «its
people», absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. I mean! It is not secret
that till the start of war, we had difference with Maskhadov in a wide range of
issues, however the need to repulse the new Russian aggression dictated the nee
to put all differences aside and united together.
Steps
were taken towards this goal. Some main fields of cooperation were worked out.
Then, at the offer of some commanders, the president directed me to Muslim
countries. I was authorized representative of the president and government of
CRI in Muslim countries with wide range of powers, the quite possible in any
situation, which enabled me to achieve some success. The Muslim world welcomed
the fact that former president is representing the current one; this basically
altered their distorted viewpoint about Chechen leadership, forced on them by
Russian propaganda and caused by our mistakes after the first war. During
relatively short period of time, I could do a lot of work for making complete
complex of strategy and tactics of foreign policy for CRI, including recognition
of our state independence.
I
had the chance to hold talks with leaders of several countries at the highest
level, and also with Organization of Islamic Conference, league of Islamic
nations and leaders of many international and local organizations. Our proposals
were received with understanding and were accepted for consideration. Certain
verbal agreements were reached on joint action in the immediate future and more
long term. Even more was done at the level of regional and local authorities in
several countries. We managed to establish active cooperation with leading
public and political parties and movements, with religious and public
authorities, youth and student movements. The media in Muslim countries visited
by us, actively propagandized Chechen position in relation to Russian aggression.
Especially,
under the patronage of Jamaat-e-Islami
Pakistan, one of the leading political party which is strongly connected with
all Islamic Jamaats of other Islamic countries, on 23rd February of the year
2000, in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad was arranged an international
conference on Chechen issue, which was scheduled at the completion of my
extensive program of my stay in this country. Published interview on the entire
pages of newspapers and magazines, half-hour, one and a half hour and two hour
broadcasting on popular, prestigious international television channels,
dedicated purely to problems of Chechnya and our Jihad, with my participation,
many of which were broadcasted on live and gave us the chance basically to
change misleading Russian and Western propaganda, the idea and opinion on
problem of Russo-Chechen war. All this work was carried out in the name of our
official leadership.
The
fact that the Russian leadership came down hard on countries, which received me,
threatening sanctions and political actions showed how important my work was
during that period. In some cases, and even several times over, they could not
achieve the success they hoped for in neutralizing my activities. It is telling
that in response to an official protest from the Russian Foreign Ministry to the
government of Qatar about the fact I was officially received, the government
newspaper responded with an article entitled «It is a great honor for us to
receive Yandarbiyev!»
But what our enemies failed to do was achieved thanks to the gossip of political
representatives of our president in some countries and his «entourage» kicking
their heels abroad in Turkey, the UAE, Poland, Paris and other dens of vice,
including figures everybody knows have links to the Russian Federal Security
Service (FSB), who had been on an additional special course in the city's
Lefortovo special audience at the start of this war, and others who acted on the
direct orders of Putin's «patsies», or on the strength of their mercenary and
venal natures and who acted in the way our enemy required. It turns out several
were jealous of me because of my very wide powers, some were suspicious that I
had got a lot of money, while others were horrified that I actively and
unequivocally propagandized world jihad, demonstrating that Chechnya is the
avant-garde of this battle following the way of God.
At
the same time, they mainly wanted to quietly sit out the war, taking refuge
behind their mandate, then take up positions after the war in accordance with
whatever situation might have arisen. I had to give up the status of
representative of the official leadership of our country. After that I got in
touch with the leaders of our Jihad, with several Amirs of the Jamaat, and also
with Shamil Basayev. I spoke with them on this topic several times and they
insisted that I do my work in the name of the mujahideen, as there was
absolutely no point in my return.
I continue to visit Muslim countries in my capacity as ex-president of the CRI
and representative of the mujahideen of Chechnya. My sphere of activity has not
become more restricted because of this. On the contrary! But the strategic
issues of our state's foreign policy have been completely frozen as I have
ceased to represent the official leadership. Today the main accent in my work is
on public and political organizations and movements and political and religious
leaders of the Muslim world.
Question:
The treaty on mutual recognition of the two states of Afghanistan and
Ichkeria is linked with your name, as you were one of the initiators of this
interstate agreement. I would like to know whether the relations between our
states go any further than signatures on a piece of paper? In particular, is the
Taliban government providing the Chechens with military help? Is official Kabul
doing anything in the diplomatic field? What I mean is propaganda directed
towards getting other Islamic states to follow their example and recognize the
state of Ichkeria! And is even one Arab state ready to recognize independent
Ichkeria?
Zelimkhan: A treaty on mutual recognition and the establishment of
official diplomatic ties between two states is a very serious act, which
contains the entire legal basis for further mutual relations. The realization
and development of these mutual relations depends equally on both sides and
their potential. We understand perfectly the international isolation in which
our countries have found themselves because of their wish and aspirations to
build a truly Muslim state. This is the main reason that the effect of the
treaty cannot be felt in actions. Another reason is the distance separating our
two countries. They are several thousand kilometers apart and we are separated
by states, which are, to put it mildly, unfriendly to us. Nevertheless,
everything, which is dependent on the Afghan leadership, is being done, which
cannot be said of our side. A week after the treaty was signed, the Afghan
leadership opened our embassy in Kabul and a consulate in Kandahar. I myself
personally opened it.
But
after this, everything was frozen by irresponsible people and also by opponents.
It was not easy for the Afghan leadership to decide to take such a crucial step
regarding our state. They were already opposing the infidel, but by recognizing
our state independence they provoked the additional hatred of Russia and America,
with all the consequences that that entailed. The leadership in Afghanistan
understood perfectly the consequences of its step. Taliban leader Mullah
Mohammed Omar said clearly: «We owed it to God to adopt this decision».
Recognition of their debt before God towards Muslims of the world, including the
Chechen people, is what is lacking among the leaders of other Muslim countries,
primarily the Arab countries. But we will trust in Allah, Who recognized us and
bestowed upon us right way.
Question:
Articles appeared in the Russian press, which spoke of an alleged plot
against Maskhadov between the leaders of the Taliban movement and ex-President
of Ichkeria Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev. Chechen information sources (in particular
Marsho news agency) immediately reacted to this FSB canard and denied the
provocative attacks of the Russian special services aimed at splitting the
resistance movement. However, I would like to hear your own comments on this.
Zelimkhan: This lie, forgery, slander, blackmail, provocative inventions
and more besides from the arsenal to divide and play off against each other
peoples and leaders are not just mechanisms and not simply the norm, but the
subject of «legitimate» pride in Russia's state policy throughout the ages and
everywhere. Special services with enormous funds work on this. What can you say
about media, which has always been gendarme media and is now the FSB media. This
was another canard of the Russian special services for which there was
absolutely no basis. But it was not hard to guess that it was put about to
prepare the ground ahead of Putin's meeting in Europe with Bush.
However,
I think that the Russians forced an open door: Bush never was and never can be a
supporter of Chechen independence, particularly jihad, like any official in any
administration of the USA or other Christian-Zionist country. Such Russian media
miscarriages will continue, using any pretext, or even without any pretext.
These days journalist of «Moscow News», S. Shermatova, some times heard about
democracy, was urgently equalities for herd leading singer of FSB, refined in
the latest time in sycophantic publications against mujahideen especially Arbi
Barayev (Let Allah accept his ghazavat (Jehad)) arranged counterfeit and
misrepresentation of the interview of Nuhayev «MN», in which again is figured
Yandarbiyev. Meanness of Russian state machinery by no criteria is measured and
with no mind can come.
Question:
How would you describe the situation in Chechnya itself? What positive and
negative features are there?
Zelimkhan: Situation in Chechen Republic is quite clear: Great Jihad is
going on in the way of Allah against international state anti-Islamic terrorism
and genocide of Chechen people. Practically here is happening forefront of
international Jihad. In relation to event in Chechnya today is defined positive
and negative in modern Islam, degree of Iman, adherence to Quran and Sunnah of
the Prophet (S.A.S), sincerity and hypocrisy of entire Islamic world. In
relation to Chechnya, it was necessary to uncover its real devil face of the
so-called modern civilized world, so-called democracy and humanism, of the
so-called Human Rights, and the so-called international right, monstrous of all
the grins, which are ruling the world today. In relation to Chechnya unsheathed
its face international criminal Christian-Zionist syndicate, appeared the true
essence of its so-called international institutes and organizations – UN, OSCE
and others. All that is meant for cleaning and strengthening of Islam and Muslim
ummah – that is positive for today’s Chechnya, and all that is against it,
is negative.
The
situation in Chechnya today has reached a point when Russians are not regarded
as human at all, they are perceived as animals, the lowest of the low, who
inspire only loathing. L. N. Tolstoy described a similar situation in his story
«Hadzhi Murat». We must acknowledge that this is the greatest weapon in our
battle, which is stronger than a million-strong army, or atomic weapons or other
weapons of mass destruction. A people, which consciously hates their enemy and
has learnt to hate this enemy in all its manifestations, whether it is war,
peaceful coexistence, or a million other ways, is the victor. In a similar
situation in 1995 Dzhokhar Dudayev, called on the people to sharpen their
daggers. Daggers - the weapons of close combat. The Chechens took up these
weapons at the crucial moment, when bitterness and hatred reached their peak.
The level of hatred today is much higher and will allow us to destroy the
Russian creatures with simple penknives if there is nothing else. This will be
terrible for these contemptible creatures. Praise be to God!
Question: In your view, what is the attitude of the Arab world to the
Chechen people's fight? Official Kremlin propaganda presents things as though in
all Islamic countries the attitude towards the Chechens is negative, and the war
in the North Caucasus is regarded as Russia's fight against «international
terrorism»!
Zelimkhan: Absolutely all Arab and other Muslim countries treat the
Chechen people's fight against Russian aggression as Jihad in the name of
freedom and the triumph of Islam. The simplest Muslims, who are far removed from
politics, regard the Chechens as the avant-garde of world Islamic Jihad. Russia
is seen only as the enemy of the entire Muslim world. Of course, this attitude
does not come through in the policy of Muslim states, because the policy of
Muslim states does not conform to the expectations of their peoples. But even
many venal politicians perceive the situation in Chechnya very clearly.
The
pity is that they are simply not capable of doing anything to help the Chechen
people as almost the entire Muslim world is in a state of semi-colonial,
neo-colonial dependence on the Christian-Zionist mafia, which is terrorizing the
world. That is our misfortune. There are very few capable leaders of states in
Arab countries, and those there are find their hands tied by the Western,
Russian or Iranian lobbies, which get rich by betraying the interests of the
Islamic world. As for Russian propaganda, it is natural that they provide such
misinformation for the Caucasian peoples. They have one goal - to apply moral
and psychological pressure to Chechens and all Caucasians, and to give them the
feeling that they are outcasts from the rest of the Islamic world. We should not
forget that the Russian media is a component in the Russian imperial mechanism,
which is carrying out the dirtiest work. Whatever name you give it, the enemy is
the enemy.
Question:
What are your comments and
what statement would you like to make about the murder of Supyan Arsayev (Chechen
hijacker executed in Saudi Arabia)?
Zelimkhan: The murder of Supyan Arsayev was a shameful page in the
history of the entire Arab world. This is how ordinary Arabs, alims (religious
scholars) and even many politicians describe it. Who specifically bears
responsibility for this is another question, the most difficult question. It
will be possible to judge a lot from what happens to Supyan's sons now. We hope
that the Saudi authorities here adopt a truly Islamic position, although we are
very disappointed by their behavior today. For my part, I have also taken a
number of measures available to me. I have tried to influence events through the
channels open to me – alims and politicians, I have sent an appeal to the
leadership of Saudi Arabia, I have stated my clear position in the media etc.
Now all we can do is trust this affair to God, because everything is in his
hands.
Question: As we know, some Ichkerian MPs are today acting in the
European arena. How would you describe the success of our foreign diplomacy in
this direction? Is there even the slightest chance of success in this direction
today?
Zelimkhan: I cannot see any success in this direction, although some
moves were undertaken and there were loud speeches, seemingly against Russia.
All this ended at the well-laden friendly table for western and Russian
politicians with a glass of vodka and «cheers». I don't believe in the Western
world at all - they are accomplices in the Russian crimes against the Chechen
people. West
– it is valuation and pragmatism, and more important Christian-Zionism in its
sophisticated form. If in the East, we may observe weakness and lacking spirit
of politicians of Muslims countries, but in pure human plan, we feel them their
empathy and commiseration, but in West, we meet cold valuation, skepticism,
cold-blooded hypocritical mastery of political scenes and loud political
spectacles, played with great theatrical mastery. It is necessary to calumniate,
that there are no simple citizens of the West. We cannot
be inscribed in the system of the Western values, means, we cannot expect
their sympathy.
We
should not forget Quran, which clearly says about it. We must understand one
thing: how can we make propagation and do Jihad, along with it waiting for
support of the West? This is not sacred but criminal naivety. Till the time, our
thoughts and its realization, we will coordinate except Allah, or with some one
believing him on equal basis, or with something else, it means shirk (polytheism),
we will be far from the mercy of our Creator on the level of remoteness from Him
of the one, who consciously or unconsciously make accomplices for Him. All that
we think, must be thought with one orientation to Him; all that we are executing,
must be done with the hope and reliance only on Him, but with the use of all
worldly possibilities, precisely knowing its nature and source. The most
unfortunates are those who is trying to serve two gods: it is impossible to
serve Allah, bowing by ones spirit to one more power of idol, embodying oneself
in power of West, or Russia or someone else.
Such
people, as we observe today, are unluckier than those, who deny Allah and
completely surrendered to devil, and in the Day of Judgment by Almighty to the
punishment of fire, they will get the same punishment as that of the pure
servants of Devil. All those, who try to serve two gods, deserve horrors of both
the worlds. Look at the kafir of the West and East, - they look very happy,
powerful, and even supreme (May Allah defend us from such a fate): this is
manifestation of evil entirety. And look at the so-called Muslims, who
bifurcated between Allah and kufr: they are inert, helpless, unhappy, even if
they have plenty of riches, even if working on very high posts. West and East
can get united, but Belief in Allah and disbelieve in Allah can never unite! La
havla va la quwata illa billahil aliyel azim!
Question:
As is known, the part of Ichkerian members of parliament today operates on
the European arena. How will you characterize successes of our external
diplomacy in the specified direction? Whether there is a least break in the
specified direction today?
Zelimkhan:
USA also is one of the basic originators of all troubles of Muslim Ummah. Its
terrestrial power and material abundance (here inapplicable concept of
well-being for it is completely another), its shine and a tinsel bewitch and
attract souls of unfortunate, as if bewitching and paralyzing sight of the snake
for its victim in a disastrous mouth. Misfortunes of Muslims from USA more are
tempted, perverted and diverse. And Allah in the Holy Koran speaks, that the «fitna»
(temptation) - is worse than murder. Everything coordinating the hopes for
outcome of ours jihad with power and force of USA, deeply and tragically are
mistaken: power and force of USA and all West - is injust derivatives from given
by Allah to the person of opportunities, they not for us.
As
to Ilyas Akhmadov, he betrayed jihad and ours mujahideen when to please state
department USA and Russia has engaged in bugging with leadership of Afghanistan
and the Treaty about mutual recognition between CRI and Afghanistan. In such
ways to solicit to be admitted up to the handle of any official of any instance
of authority in the West or the East is a misfortune and when such people
operate on behalf of people doing Jihad is an accident. Moreover, USA have
sharply and negatively reacted to recognition of our independence Afghanistan: I
still was in Kabul, opened our embassy when the American military mission
arrived to Pakistan, declared, that USA warns Pakistan of recurrence of
precedent of Afghanistan in relation with Chechens. Holy Quran speaks, that the
one who, rejecting (or neglecting their unity) searches for friendship of
believers with nonbelievers, that from them. And such today are too many of this
kind in the Muslim Ummah. And how many Chechens «representing» us lounge about
with West.
One
our high-ranking member of parliament staying in the West, told to me, about
technical power which have shown to it: as sitting at a computer, through
satellite system, to it showed any street in any city, down to a uniform leaflet
on a tree. In his story, it was felt deify of these people who have reached such
power. Yes Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) will take pity on us.
Question: How is the situation in Russia? Whether
events in Chechen Republic are a reason of economic recession and the planned
crash of Russian empire?
Zelimkhan: I think, that including events in Chechnya,
and in general that the Russian mentality is a basis of such long process of
injustice and brutality existence of Russian and other peoples which have
appeared under the Russian yoke. We shall hope, that its end will come and not
for long to wait. But Allah speaks that we will not change a situation, in which
we are, which prevails over us from the outside, while we shall not change in
ourselves. I think, that process of disposal of the Russian plague too will go
in strict conformity with ayats in the Holy Quran. Allah Akbar!
Question:
In the Russian MASS-MEDIA has appeared such a report: on its indication of
the Kremlin, the text of the new Constitution of the Chechen Republic now is
written, work above which is supposed to be finished in January of the next year.
It would be desirable to hear your comment in this occasion.
Zelimkhan:
We
can recollect destinies of those to whom in the Russian corridors cut
constitutions: the USSR, whose constitution were copied repeatedly, with the
East Europe and many other peoples. For what did they appear suitable? And for
Chechens too they cut similar about situation, including Zavgayev, Hazhiyev
camarilla that surprising what Putin wanted to do much good even toady? The
Russian decrepitude has no borders and is boundless. But in hands of Allah (Subhanahu
wa Taala) and the Law for Chechen people, which he has revealed in the Holy
Quran.
Question:
What do you think about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Abkhazia? What
action is official Tbilisi, headed by Eduard Shevardnadze, likely to take and
what position should the Chechens adopt on the issue of a Georgian-Abkhaz
settlement?
Zelimkhan: A Georgian-Abkhaz settlement is one of the central problems
and sore spots for the whole of the Caucasus. If Russia withdraws its troops
from Abkhazia, it will only do so having thoroughly prepared the ground for a
new war. It would be very beneficial for Russia if another war were to flare up
in the Trancaucasus today and it is primarily trying to make use of the
currently slumbering volcanoes of recent wars: Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh,
something which lies outside the official borders of Russia. There are several
strategic strands to such a plan, both in terms of succeeding in current efforts
to colonize Chechnya and also to take back under its wings other lost areas, but
not necessarily peoples. They could safely die or move. But we hope that
whatever move Russia makes, the Georgian-Abkhaz side will not repeat the
mistakes of the recent past.
Question: What can you say about the situation in Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia?
Is it possible that the flames of war could spread to other regions of the
Caucasus, which are under the heel of Russia?
Zelimkhan: Beyond a shadow of a doubt Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia
are the regions, which will be subjected to clearance after Chechnya. This
decision has already been taken. The actions of the Russian leadership in the
political situations which have taken shape there are proof of this. And it is
clear and obvious that Russian armed bands under the aegis of so-called
religious extremists and nationalists are operating both in Dagestan and
Karachay-Cherkessia. If there are no fundamental changes in the situation in
Chechnya, then anything could happen.
Question: Voices in the world calling for the war in Chechnya to end
can be heard with growing frequency. Today there is talk among some Kremlin
functionaries about the possibility of halting the war and starting a political
dialogue between the presidents of Russia and Ichkeria. What do you have to say
about this? If we draw parallels with 1996, what mistakes should our president
and all the other leaders of the Chechen resistance try to avoid?
Zelimkhan: The main thing is not to allow any transformation in the idea
of jihad in the pro-jihad forms and aspirations of the mujahideen themselves, at
the level of leaders and at the level of rank-and-file mujahideen. Everything
should be based on Shari’ah law and should strictly conform to this.
Shari’ah law should not become the privilege of any one side, group, Jamaat or
sect. Shari’ah law should be purely based on the Koran. A threat to the unity
of our nation could arise otherwise. Our enemies will use everything to split
the Chechens and try to kindle civil war - religion in all its manifestations,
nationalism in all its forms, clan and anti-clan slogans and ideas, and
everything, which exists among our people in some fashion. It is only possible
to set Chechens against each other on the basis of something we have, not
something that has been introduced anew.
Our
slogan should be: Chechens are a united Islamic nation, however and wherever
they live and in whatever form. The unity of the Chechens can only be preserved
on the basis of Islam of the Koran and pure Shari’ah law. We should not forget
for one moment that the halting of the war, regardless of which documents are
signed, is still not the end of the war, and this is even more the case for
jihad, and it definitely does not mean the resolution of our problems, but is a
forced measure for one side or the other.
The main thing is not to forget that Russia in its current incarnation is our
enemy until the Day of Judgment comes.
Question:
What is your viewpoint about further challenges of the Chechen nation.
Zelimkhan: Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) determined for us difficult, but
auspicious destiny to be in the avant-garde of global Jihad; global Islamic
revival. If we want to become stronger and pious nation, we must attempt to be
capable of such a destiny. May Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) help us.
Highly
gratitude, as in spite of your busy engagements, you did your could spare some
time for us and reply to our questions!
May Allah be pleased with you. May
Allah help you. May Allah unite all the Muslims of the world. May Allah be
compassionate to us. Allahu Akbar!
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