Intervista a un ragazzo ceceno

Tamer è un mio caro amico nato a Grozny, uno studente universitario che ha accettato con piacere di rilasciarmi un'intervista sulla situazione del suo paese e del suo popolo.

(Per rispetto verso di lui pubblicherò il seguente post in inglese. Vi chiedo quindi la cortesia di leggerlo nonostante la lingua. Nelle risposte l'uso delle maiuscole l'ho lasciato com'era nella lettera originale.)

Tamer is a close friend of mine born in Grozny, a university student which accepted with pleasure to release me an interview about the situation of Chechnya and Chechen people.

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Tamer, could you understand how far did the control of President Maskhadov go over the different military groups active in Chechnya, when he was alive?

Well, how can you know how much was He able to control the guerrilla? Maskhadov was the Chechen President. But the power of his administration was not enough. It was almost impossible to control a great number of different groups of fighters. There were some regions in Chechnya, where the president could not go. Where it was dangerous even to cross some areas.

What's your opinion about new president of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Abdul Khalim Saydullaev which replaced Maskhadov after his death?

I think Saydullaev is not able to take the place of Maskhadov. Actually, i can't tell anything about Saydullaev, but i think Maskhadov was the only person with whom Russia could speak about Peace, if Russians wanted. Negotiations with other people are not possible at all. Because they aren't known by Chechens, Russians and other countries. Saydullaev has not such respect as Maskhadov had. Aslan, was the President of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, elected with legal elections. He was the only leader respect by the people and by the fighters.

What do you think about the government of Ramzan Kadyrov, which is clearly upheld by Russian power?

In the beginning, the government of Ramzan Kadyrov was hated by the majority of chechens. A lot of accidents happened in the republic. So-called "kadyrovzy" (armed groups of Kadyrov, n.d.r.) were not controlled by anyone except by him. Many accidents happened... many people were abducted in the night by kadyrovzi... all this was happening very often. But now, the situation is becoming more clear. He begun to do something for people. Some ministers were arrested for criminal use of their power, for stealing money from budget... But still, the situation is very difficult.

So is your opinion about him positive ? Seems very strange...

No. It's VERY hard to say that government of Kadyrov is a good government! Kadyrov tries to make holiday in Chechnya. He pays a lot of money to Russian pop and rock stars to bring them in Chechnya. 2 or 3 months ago he flied to Moscow and came back to Chechnya with Mike Tyson! But he is criticized for spending money on shows and things far from needs of the people. Chechnya would need to use ALL the money for education and to re-build cities! Kadyrov killed a lot of Chechens: I heard that he has got a lot of blood-revenge's enemies. Maybe that's why his security guard consists of 8000 armed men! He is a person made for a war situation, but he is not a person for government, for politic. Do you know, that his armed security (almost the 90%) consist of ex-guerrilaz (fighters)?

What is your opinion about "wahhabism", radical islamism which is blamed by many (Russian government too) to have taken the control of all the Chechen resistance?

Wahhabism has never been accepted by Chechens. And the period of time when it became popular in some regions of Chechnya was very short. Chechens will never forget their traditions, and we have a strong believe in CLEAR Islam, without new interpretations. We believe in Islam and in the traditions of our Fathers.

What does it mean the armed struggle against Russians for Chechens?

The first war (1994-1996, n.d.r.) was a kind of National Struggle, and had its results. Russians moved back outside Chechnya. But Maskhadov, of course a great person, was unable to control different armed groups in Chechnya, which "survived" to the end of the first war. His administration was unable to control armed people. Anyway, it's time to think about our local administration. To make it Clear and FOR people!

What do you think about so-called "puppet administration" in Chechnya?

About puppets... People have to live in Chechnya. And those who are working in administration - are not considered enemies. Even by the majority of fighters. Chechens have their own ideas about that. And it's hard to explain.

What is the CRI (Chechen Republic of Ichkeria) today, for a young Chechen like you? A page of the past or still an idea in which to believe?

CRI - is past... but is still present. But now young Chechens have different plans for their life. Freedom - is a part of that plan. But maybe for this moment there must be a break. And in the future - to find different ways.

Do you believe in armed resistance? If yes, what do you think about Shamil Basaev?

I believe in the young boys which lost their relatives. I believe in armed men which want to protect their houses and families from invaders. But i don't believe in Shamil Basaev. The leader of Chechen fighters was Aslan Maskhadov. And only him. Basayev has not the same real and high idea about freedom. He is just a son of present war.

As I know Chechnya has never been a territory where the Shari'a was used like law. What would you think if, eventually, Chechnya became an islamic state? A state where the law comes down from Shari'a? (like Afghanistan of Talibans or Saudii Arabia).

Chechnya, I think, is not ready for Shari'a. Chechen traditions have their own aspects, which sometimes are very different from the ones in Shari'a. For example - Blood Revenge, or Vendetta. In Islam you can't kill person just to make vendetta: judgements have to be done in Shari'a. But there are no Chechens who will avoid to use blood revenge!

Did you hear about Said-Emin Ibragimov a chechen man who, few weeks ago, in Strasburg, made a eat-strike to recall the attention of European Parliament on Chechen war? He got some results... maybe little, but yet results...

I know about Ibragimov. And his efforts were a great act! He is a person who really worries about his people. And he reached his aim.

What's your opinion about european and american silence about the genocide of Chechen people? Are you disappointed? (By the way, for intellectual honesty i would like to add that some groups of people, parts of the civil society, intellighenzia but not only, made and are still making many efforts -here in Europe and also in America- to bring the attention over the tragedy of Chechens)

Well, for this moment EU can't argue with wishes of Russia or USA. Their policies are not going too far. They became an organization, but maybe are unable to decide global problems, global issues. And of course, it's very sad, they didn't anything to stop the genocide of Chechen people by Russians. I think that in the modern world there are no "heroes" who can criticize such countries, like Russia or USA. We can see different Groups from different countries, who are against acts of Russia. But on the diplomatic level - nothing ever happened.