To insha allah
Do you really think that their faces is "shitty" subject.
Cossack

TURKISH Probe issue 361
12 December 1999
Turkish Daily News

Turkish Society Begins to Learn the Realities of the Country's Past
... And Its Present

The film 'Salkim Hanimin Taneleri' reaches a wide audience and serves to open up a dialogue about the treatment of minorities in republican
history

---

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy Yilmaz Karakoyunlu tried to soften the impact of his book, "Salkim Hanimin Taneleri" (Salkim Hanim's
Necklace) by calling it a "personal fantasy" when it began to attract attention. But, as one daily put it, the book -- and the film that was
later based on it -- has opened a Pandora's box. Younger Turks are flocking to the theaters to see the film, and many of them are learning for the first time about some of the darker corners of their country's past.

Karakoyunlu's book, though peopled with semi-fictional characters, is not, however, a "personal fantasy." It is rooted in historical fact --
possibly glossing over some of the details of that period a bit too lightly -- and the characters, though fictional, are by Karakoyunlu's own admission based on people he has known who lived through the period of the "Wealth Tax" in Turkey in the years 1942-44. Karakoyunlu may be playing it modest, but his work has won accolades for the deputy-author for bravery and forthrightness.

More surprisingly, while many conservative circles have tried to defend the policies of the period as "non-racist and nondiscriminatory" or have tried to present a logical rationale for the events portrayed in the book and film, no defensive nationalist backlash has been witnessed in response to the film, and most concede that no matter the reason for the tax at the time, its was a grievous error that harmed Turkey in ways that are only now being realized and faced.

The fact that the brooding, slow-paced film has, instead of being banned, won many local awards and is in the running to represent Turkey at the Oscars adds another startling aspect to the social significance of the film, for it shows that a large community in Turkey is ready to share its country's "dirty laundry" with the world and join the long list of nations and communities who are trying to apologize for a past they are not proud of. The Turkish state is still far too "proud" to do any such thing. But a significant segment of the
population, which had been taught -- if they were taught anything about that period -- that Turkey had been pressured or deceived into mimicking Nazi Germany, are now beginning to see that the opposite assertion might have a small element of truth to it. The state might not yet be quite ready to face its past, but true democracy and the
secular spirit so vital to it does begin from the grassroots up...

"Salkim Hanimin Taneleri" is set in the World War II years. Turkey was looking over at Germany -- which had not yet suffered its first major defeat -- believing it invincible and ready to take command of the world. Turkey established the "village institutes" and began to prepare for the Nazi's fascist "new order." It went as far as to deny docking of a ship in Istanbul carrying hundreds of Jewish refugees, even though the Ottomans had once bragged -- and the Turkish state has yet not tired of boasting -- of its past tolerance of Jews escaping from Spain in the 16th century.

Because of World War II, 1 million young men had been taken from the nation's productive economy to put on soldier's uniforms, and
inflation was skyrocketing. The government, headed by Rustu Saracoglu, was strapped and desperate for cash. Taxes were the answer. But the tax that Saracoglu came up with was to serve another purpose than to simply help restore the Treasury's depleted resources. It was also to
further the aim of "Turkifying" the nation that began in the 1930s.

In September of 1942, Saracoglu ordered a "census" of a kind in which information gathered by National Security (the intelligence
organization of the time) was used by the Finance Ministry to designate each citizen of Turkey as Muslim (M), non-Muslim (G) or
"converts" (D; for donme, a Turkish word that has connotations more of "turncoat" than sincere believer). It was a special type of secret
"registry" that is said, by sources inside the police department, to be applied to Kurds (and possibly other minorities) today, despite official denials that there is no ethnic discrimination in Turkey.

The minorities reportedly got wind of the differential tax that was being planned and went to the government to offer to collect money
from their communities themselves to give to the war effort. But Saracoglu rejected the offer. A voluntary payment may have accomplished the financial goal of the tax, but it would not have
accomplished the second goal, which was openly declared at the time, of "giving the Turkish market to the Turks."

On Nov. 12, 1942 the Wealth Tax was instituted. A commission, formed entirely of Muslim Turkish businessmen, bureaucrats and politicians, was authorized to determine who would pay what amount of tax. The reported figures vary widely, with some saying that Muslims paid a 5 percent tax, scaled up to Armenians, who paid the highest tax at 236 percent, and others saying that Muslims paid 12.5 percent, converts 25
percent and non-Muslims 50 percent. What is clear is that the tax was rather arbitrarily ordered, and that while it was applied universally to non-Muslims, among Muslims only businessmen paid a tax and working Muslims were exempted. Of the total TL 315 million in taxes that was
collected, about 7 percent were receipts from Muslims, 87 percent from non-Muslims and 6 percent from foreigners living in Turkey at the
time. There was absolutely no right to challenge the commission's decisions, and once the tax was determined the "taxpayer" had 15 days
in which to pay it in cash.

"Salkim Hanimin Taneleri" covers the devastation in the minority communities that followed, from those who were forced to sell their
businesses, homes and occasionally everything they owned at ridiculously low prices in order to pay their taxes, to those who still could not pay and were forced to go to Askale, near Erzurum, to work on the railroads in a type of "work camp." While some tax demands were as high as TL 80,000, an astronomical figure at the time, those in the work camp were paid only TL 2.5 per day, about half of which went to room and board and half to their tax debts. According to
official figures, approximately 1,300 people were sent to Askale (5,000-6,000 according to those who lived at the camp), all members of religious minorities. And, as with one of the main characters of the film, 21 people lost their lives there.

After the tax debts were "forgiven" by the government in 1944, and also when the war finally ended, 30,000 Jews fled Turkey to the newly created state of Israel, while those who remained have been loath since that time to vote for the Republican People's Party (CHP), which
was the only party in existence at the time.

Although the Wealth Tax was the darkest blot on Turkish republican history, it was neither the only nor the earliest measure taken against minorities in an attempt to "Turkify" the nation. In 1932 a
law was passed that restricted certain jobs such as labor or restaurant table-waiting to Turks only. A similar law, much harsher than comparable laws existing in other countries, continues today to restrict many occupations to Turks only. This is a special concern to Germany, which has thousands of brides married to Turkish men and
settled permanently in this country, but, because they are unwilling to give up their German citizenship, are unable to work.

In 1934 provocation led to the vandalism of the homes and businesses of 15,000 Jews, while the same type of event in Istanbul in 1955 was to cause most of the remaining Greeks to flee Turkey. Barely a handful remain. In 1938-40 the "Citizens, speak Turkish!" campaign began and
there were reportedly frequent assaults against non-Turks. In 1964, 12,000 Greeks -- who had been allowed to remain in Turkey with their
Greek passports per the 1930 agreement between Ataturk and Venizilos -- were deported, being allowed to take only 20 kilograms of their
possessions and $22 with them. The rest of their property was confiscated by the state.

Those events are in the past. And while many remain angry about them, they are over and done with, never to occur again.

There is one act from the past, however, that continues today to affect minorities in Turkey, particularly the Armenian minority. In 1936 it was required that the Armenians register all of their
foundation property, including schools, hospitals and churches, with the state. Some say there was no ill intention carried by the decree,
and indeed, it had little effect on the Armenians until 1972. In that year the Treasury applied to the Council of State, claiming that the
Armenian foundations, although legal Turkish institutions, were "foreign" and that they therefore, according to the law, could not
acquire property in Turkey.

The council ruled in favor of the Treasury in 1974, and that was the beginning of the slow decline of property owned by Armenian
foundations. While property registered in 1936 was left untouched, the ownership of properties acquired after that time were challenged
one-by-one in the courts. What has been happening since 1974 is that the courts have been ruling that property acquired after 1936 must be returned to the original owners of the property, who had donated it to the foundations. Since few, if any, owners of that time or their heirs have been found, the property is seized by the state.

Speaking with the Turkish Daily News, both columnist Etyen Mahcupyan and Dikran Altin, vice president of the Turkish-Armenian Business
Development Committee (established to develop economic relations between the states of Turkey and Armenia) were careful to express that their people suffered no interference in practicing their religion but were nevertheless angry over the injustice of the seizing of their community's property and the fact that their people came to be considered "foreigners" in their native land.

The Armenian community went to current ANAP Chairman Mesut Yilmaz when he was prime minister of the country two years ago, and although he promised to address their concerns, confiscation of foundation property through the courts continued. Many in the Armenian community believe that Yilmaz may have been sincere when he declared his desire to help the community, but that the persecution was the result of a "deep state" decision that no politician has the power to change. Confiscation of major property continues, with one building, store or school being taken from the Armenian foundations on an average of every few months.

In February of this year, the editor in chief of Armenian weekly Argos found himself being tried in the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM)
-- because of an article that appeared in the publication criticizing the Wealth Tax -- on charges of spreading separatist propaganda,
proving that it is not only the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and political Islamists who can be tried on separatist charges in Turkey. Korkor Agabaoglu and Cezmi Ersoz of the Gedikpasa Armenian Protestant Church, meanwhile, recently found themselves in court facing charges of "belittling Turkishness" because of comments made during a a radio broadcast in 1997. While both cases were dismissed, they point to the type of harassment the community faces. While many
Turks in the past had been envious of the "special status" of the religious minorities, they are now beginning to realize the difficulties and aggravations these communities face in addition to being considered strangers in their own land.

But many Turkish and Armenian individuals and groups, both within Turkey and abroad, are trying to establish a true reconciliation between the two communities. The media has played an important role in this, including the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). The TRT television station was a sponsor of the film "Salkim Hanimin Taneleri." TRT also sponsored a short docudrama (although it was not able to secure financial support) that was aired on TRT 2 last month relating the tale of the love between Tamara, an Armenian princess on the island of Akdamar in Lake Van, and a Kurdish lad from across the waters. These demonstrate a softening of public opinion, which may lead to a softening of other state policies as well.

Meanwhile, Dikran Altin debunked rumors that Koc Holding is the power behind the scenes responsible for the recent confiscation of Armenian property on Istiklal Caddesi in Istanbul. While it is known that the founder of the Koc empire was able to buy up massive amounts of
property in Istanbul due to the Wealth Tax, and while it is also known that Koc Holding has recently been attempting to buy up property in
Beyoglu, members of the Armenian community insist that they have no problems with Koc now. Rahmi Koc is known for his participation in
interfaith projects and activities.

"Salkim Hanimin Taneleri" has helped some Turks learn why so many Greeks, Armenians, Nestorians, Assyrians and other minorities who once lived in Anatolia but are now scattered in their millions to the four corners of the world are so angry. They are angry because, while most
of them retain a burning love of Anatolia, their home, in their hearts they resent the state that drove them from it. The film, then, has helped some Turks learn what goes into the making of an "enemy of the nation." It has caused many to grieve over the difficulties that religious minorities in Turkey still suffer, and others to extend that
same sympathy and understanding to the plight of the Muslim but ethnically and linguistically different Kurds in a "Turkish" nation, or to the Turkish but non-Sunni Alawite community. The film -- and the courageous book on which it is based -- could properly be taken as an apology from at least some Turks for the "sins" of their past. Those people are aware, too, that the value of an apology is not is its ability to rectify the past, which is difficult if not impossible, but
as a guarantee that they are determined not to make the same mistakes again.

---

Turkey's Armenian Community

The Armenians, who once numbered over 2 million in Anatolia, now number 80,000 according to official community figures. About 90-95
percent of those live in Istanbul. While most of them are of the Armenian Orthodox faith, a religious minority guaranteed protection
under the Lausanne Treaty of 1924, about 2,000 Turkish Armenians are Catholic and another 1,000-1,500 Protestant. The Armenian Patriarchate believes that there are about 250,000 Armenians who maintain their
identity and their faith in secret still living in Anatolia. Another undetermined number of Armenians are said to have taken refuge with
the Alawis in Tunceli and converted to their faith, while remembering their roots, during persecutions that continued until 1938.

The Armenian Patriarchate was established in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror, who appointed Episkopos Havagim, then the head of the Bursa
church, the patriarch of all Armenians in the empire. The patriarchate currently has a total of 36 foundations in Istanbul, which own 19
schools, 33 churches and several businesses and hospitals. There were until recently five Armenian churches remaining in Anatolia, one each in the cities of Iskenderun, Kayseri (which the Armenians consider the birthplace of their church) and Diyarbakir, one in the tiny and aging
village of Vakifli (in Hatay province) and one in Kirikhan (near Iskenderun). Less than a month ago the state ruled that there was no Armenian community left in Kirikhan and confiscated the church and all property belonging to it. Dikran Altin contends that there are still a few Armenian families remaining in Kirikhan and that in any case, the property rightfully belongs to the Armenian Patriarchate.

Vakifli is the birthplace of the former Armenian president, Levon Ter Petrosyan, who attempted to develop friendlier relations between Turkey and Armenia and banned the far-right Dashnak Party in Armenia. Turkey found, however, that its policy was held hostage by Azerbaijan because of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Petrosyan was later replaced by Robert Kocharian, who allowed the reopening of the Dashnak Party.

The Armenian diaspora (those outside of Turkey and Armenia) are actively engaged in trying to get the so-called genocide (and mass deportation) of 1915 officially recognized, as with the Holocaust. In May of last year, the Parliament of France (which has a large Armenian
community) passed a resolution that recognized the "genocide" but did not mention either Turkey or the Ottomans. The resolution passed
unanimously, but only 30 of the 577 French deputies had the courage to attend the vote. Turkey nevertheless reacted harshly, and France, which was actively supporting Turkey's bid for European Union candidacy and was looking forward to winning telecommunication
tenders, was trapped between trying to pacify its Armenian community on the one side and Turkey on the other. The French Senate shelved the
resolution when it came to that body, and it has not been passed.

Several other countries, however, including Belgium, Greece and Russia, have passed such resolutions, while New South Wales earned
wrath in Australia when it recognized April 24 as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day." There is an annual attempt to get such a resolution
passed in the United States, with an Armenian organization there starting a "1 million postcards" campaign targeting all presidential hopefuls this year. The Turkish community in the United States has countered with a similar campaign. This year on April 24, U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a message to the Armenian community
in which he was careful to use the word "massacre" rather than "genocide." The Armenians of the diaspora have tended to be consumed with this matter, while the Armenians of Turkey and Armenia would rather direct their attentions to establishing sound Turkish-Armenian relations for the future.

Turkey has countered efforts of the Armenian diaspora by opening a museum in Van that displays evidence of an Armenian genocide against the Turks in that period and with a pillar commemorating the "Turkish genocide" in Igdir, which is reportedly visible from the Armenian
capital of Yerevan.

Nevertheless, Turkey and Armenia are both hopeful that relations will become normalized shortly. Armenia, which is landlocked, would like to be able to pass through Turkey to the Mediterranean for trade. Turkey, if nothing else, is eager to maintain strong trade relations with
Russia. Of a worldwide 9.5-million population of Armenians, 600,000-1million of those live in Moscow alone. At the same time, the Armenians
have friendly relations with all of the Turkic republics except Azerbaijan, and there are currently three Armenians serving as state
ministers in these republics.

---

The Syrian Orthodox

The Syrian Orthodox (sometimes referred to as Syriacs) are concentrated around Midyat and Mardin. Since they do not have protected status under the Lausanne Treaty of 1924, they have been subjected to more arbitrary actions against them. During the coalition government of ANAP, the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) -- known as the ANASOL-D coalition -- then Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz issued a decree forbidding the Syrian Orthodox to make repairs to any of their properties, to educate their youths in the monasteries and to receive guests (many Syrian Orthodox come to visit the monasteries from abroad) in their regional monasteries. The
prohibition against repairing property was later lifted, but the community still requests that the government lift certain unnamed restrictions against it.

Of all of Turkey's communities, the Syrian Orthodox is the most fearful and turned inward, generally suffering reprisals of some sort
whenever their complaints are made public. Cumhuriyet daily is nevertheless careful to expose injustices against this community. According to figures from the World Council of Churches, the Syrian Orthodox minority has dwindled from about a quarter of a million at the foundation of the republic to at most 2,000 at
present. The Syrian Orthodox community is nevertheless still famed for its beautiful architecture and exquisite, fine silver work.

---

The Greek Orthodox Community

The Greek Orthodox community, one of the minority groups protected by the Lausanne Treaty, faces several of the same problems as the Armenian community. The main complaint of the patriarchate, however, is the closure of its seminary on Heybeliada in 1971. The church
complains that it is not able to train successors to the patriarch because of this closure.

Turkey, however, remains highly suspicious of the patriarch, particularly in view of international attempts headed by the United States to have the Greek Fener patriarch declared the ecumenical leader of all Eastern Orthodox. Turkey suspects this is part of a U.S. plan to reduce the influence of Russia, which has the largest Orthodox population. Turkey also frequently uses the Fener Patriarchate in order to try to squeeze concessions out of Greece,
although the Greek Orthodox church has been and remains independent of the Fener Patriarchate.

In a compromise on the seminary issue, it was announced (although not officially) that Istanbul University would be opening a faculty of
theology to train Fener patriarch successors, as well as training religious officials for other faiths so that they would have to train either "at home" or abroad. The faculty, which was reportedly
suggested by a prominent member of the Armenian community, is reportedly scheduled to open soon.

Those who believe that there is a conspiracy behind the supporters of the Fener Patriarchate, such as Professor Mehmet Celik of Manisa's
Celal Bayar University, have greeted this news with pleasure. They reason that with the establishment of a department at Istanbul
University, the state can then control the content of this education, and classes in Turkish culture, music, citizenship, patriotism and similar subjects can be made mandatory subjects. This, obviously, would grant the state the power to help "mold" religions taught at the school of theology and could lead to giving it control comparable to that which the state's Diyanet (Religious Affairs Directorate) now holds over the Muslim community.

Those who do not believe that a faculty at Istanbul University is sufficient compensation for maintaining the closure of the Heybeliada
school also contend that every religious community has the right to train its own clergy without the interference of the state.

---

Protestants

There is a small but thriving Protestant community in Turkey comprised mostly of Turks who have converted from Islam. The Protestant Church in Izmir has been showing considerable growth within the past two years. This summer the church was raided by police, led by a Star
camera crew, and subsequently closed down on the grounds that it had not received the proper authorization to open. The church had
attracted many Kurdish converts and there were rumors spread that the church was giving financial rewards and promising foreign spouses to converts. Church administration officials and several foreign visitors were taken into custody and interrogated by anti-terrorism teams in
October. The church has not been able to reopen since.

Ihsan Ozbek, the leader of Turkish Protestants and himself a convert, criticized the church closure, saying that the church was not illegal
and that there are no established rules in Turkey for founding a church in any case. "We are not terrorists," he added, referring to interrogations from anti-terrorism teams and the attitude displayed by some members of the local community toward them. The church is
beginning to consider asking for moral and financial help from Protestants in the United States.

Raids on churches are fairly common occurrences. While foreign Protestants are frequently arrested for "spreading religious
propaganda," which is forbidden in Turkey, the cases are nearly always dismissed and the offenders deported. Native Turkish Protestants
frequently face ostracization from family and friends for changing their faith.

Is it possible that such a barbaric way to treat their own have something to do with general barbaric behavior of these critters?
Cossack

cossak yours was a question, not a remark.

Lets’ try it again:
To Bosna-homo, abdullah, adder69 and Co.:

-Why do some Muslims demand that their women should cover up faces?
-Is it possible that such a barbaric way to treat their own have something to do with general barbaric behavior of these critters?
Cossack

women are not equal to men.

To insha allah,
Everybody knows that you graduated from Yale with English A+, but lets’ go back to "shitty" subject.
Cossack

"By insha allah ( - 63.192.212.2) on Monday, January 24, 2000 - 11:51 pm:
women are not equal to men. "

You guys are really good...
I hope that morons from UN will get it one day.
Thank you for answer.
Cossack

To Lobo and the rest. Read this interview and ask your heart for an answer. May God give you the lights.

Front Page News Photos Videos Facts Interviews Profiles

Interviews

Commander Interviews:


24 Jan 2000 Foreign Mujahideen Commander, Ibn-ul-Khattab
21 Nov 1999 Field Commander Shamil Basayev
20 Nov 1999 Field Commander Ibn-ul-Khattab


Russian Prisoner Interviews:

23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No.1: Alex Calcun, ID No. 466-1571, First Officer in Intelligence and Reconnaissance, 92-154 Division
23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 2: Christov Alexander, 301st Special Air Division
23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 3: Zawazan Nikolai Niklabovic, Special Air Division
23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 4: Vladimir Bakhomov
23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 5: K. Vitaly Yakovlich
23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 6: Shroiken Dima (Yusuf), Russian Foreign Military Intelligence




24 Jan 2000: Interview with Foreign Mujahideen Commander , Ibn-ul-Khattab.

The following interview was done upon the request of all brothers and sisters who have e-mailed the Qoqaz web site. All brothers and sisters should address any questions to the following e-mail address: azzam2000@email.com

Q.1 What are the latest developments in the Grozny? Are communications ongoing between the Mujahideen in the capital and Mujahideen who are in outlying areas?

A.1 All praise be to Allah and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet of Allah. After months of siege and bombardment, Russian forces attempted at the start of this New Year (2000 Crucifix calendar) to storm Grozny from the vicinity of Khankala, east of the city. They also attacked from the heights of Tapap (431.8) that overlook the capital from the southeast, and from the southern suburbs of Kai Kalo. At the onset of the attack, Russian troops advanced a few dozen meters into the city. However, the enemy quickly became embroiled in a pitched battle with the Mujahideen, the results of which ended with the defeat of Russian forces who suffered massive casualties.

By the Will of Allah, the Mujahideen also recaptured Khankala and the areas east of Grozny. This forced the enemy to switch their attack from the areas east of the capital to other areas north and west of the city. All praise be to Allah, the renewed attacks were also summarily defeated. It is important to note that these defeats have lead to widespread mutiny and disarray within the ranks of the Russian military. This forced high-ranking officers to personally lead their units into battle, in hope of maintaining order and discipline amongst the Russian troops. However, this move has only lead to the death and capture of many of these officers. As for the status of communications between Mujahideen within Grozny and those stationed in other areas, we thank Allah Most High who has ensured that all communications remain open and unhindered. We also thank Allah for having kept the Mujahideen in full and absolute control over all of Grozny until this very moment.

Q.2 How were the Mujahideen capable of standing up to Russia’s massive and modern military machine? What kind of weapons are you using?

A.2 The success of the Mujahideen in withstanding the Russian military machine and successfully defeating it in battle is attributed first and foremost to the will of Allah Most High. This is also attributed to the sincerity of the Mujahideen in fighting for their faith and their homeland – it is a fight that will continue until the oppression of the defeated Russian government is finished. Our most effective weapon is our faith in Allah Most High, and the reliance on none other than Allah. We also use stocks of weapons captured from the Russian army in the course of battle, like the Prophet Muhammad - Peace and Blessings be upon Him - said: "My provision has been made under the shade of my spear. " [Sahih]

Q.3 Do the Mujahideen have the ability to sustain their Jihad for an extended period of time? If so, for how long?

A.3 Yes, the Mujahideen are capable of sustaining the Jihad against the Russian Army, otherwise, they would not have hastened to support their brothers who were attacked by the Russians in Dagestan. In fact, this question should be asked to the Russian Government. Was it not the Russians whose forces were defeated that asked for a cease-fire in 1996? Was it not the Russian military that lost Grozny for a third consecutive time to the Mujahideen? Ask them, do they think they have the ability to continue fighting the Mujahideen? And for how long will this war continue? We say it will continue until all Russian forces in the Caucasus are annihilated, a feat that is not difficult upon Allah.

Q.4 All wars require funding. Chechnya is a small and impoverished country, and in the face of the Russian attacks, expenditures and costs must be considerably higher than normal for a war such as this. From where do you receive your funding, and what are your sources of arms?

A.4 The Afghans were far more impoverished than their brothers in Chechnya, yet once they took up arms to defend their religion, they never laid them down until they defeated Russia. The Mujahideen in Chechnya are receiving all kinds of support from their brothers and sisters in the Caucasus and from around the world. The support from Muslims everywhere is tremendous, and its positive effects are evident during the course of battle against the enemy. Most of our weapons are either captured or purchased from the Russian military. In fact, this defeated army is willing to sell all of Russia for money, just as the loser Putin is selling Russia for his own personal gain by sending Russian troops to fight a war whose objectives they are unfamiliar with, and whose duration is unknown to them.

Q.5 What is the true nature of the relationship between yourselves and President Maskhadov? Is there any truth to reports that claim there are serious differences between you?

A.5 Aslan Maskhadov is the President of Chechnya, as all people know and acknowledge. We are in full agreement as to the need to pursue this Jihad until the Russian military is decisively defeated. If there are any differences between us, they are marginal, and are natural to human nature.

Q.6 How would you evaluate the losses of the Mujahideen and the Russian military during this war?

A.6 As far as we are concerned, any casualties cannot be considered losses, for we are fulfilling the great tenet of Jihad – the peak of Islam. We also recognise that living according to Allah’s laws and applying them does not come without being rigorously tested. The enemy on the other hand, has suffered massive casualties. There are hundreds of destroyed Russian military vehicles across Chechnya. In fact, the Russian military hastens to remove the destroyed hulls of their armour to conceal the extent of their losses and to attempt to maintain morale amongst their troops. The enemy has also lost no less than ten thousand (10,000) dead and many more injured. This number is rising daily as the Russians have to depend increasingly on infantry assaults around Grozny, as opposed to the earlier stages of the war that were characterized primarily by long-range bombardment.

Q.7 The Russian leadership has announced that it would not end this war until it wiped out all “terrorists”! What is your response to these statements?

A.7 The methods of destroying terrorists do not involve the destruction of homes, the burning of farms and the murder of women, children and the elderly. What the Russians are doing amounts to state-sponsored terrorism that is part of international criminal actions against all Muslims. It is for this reasons that the determination of Muslims in the Caucasus to rid themselves of the Russian yoke grows stronger day by day. Let the Russians also know that the Muslims will never relent in their Jihad if they lose members of their leadership; when Jawhar Dudayev was killed, Chechen feelings became even more inflamed against the Russians, and proved to be another factor in the continuation of Jihad against the enemy.

Q.8 How would you describe the position of Muslims and the international community towards your cause?

A.8 Undoubtedly, the popular sentiment amongst the Muslims has had a very positive impact upon the Jihad in Chechnya, as it always has in all Islamic causes throughout the world. We are indebted to our brothers and sisters for their supplications to Allah that He may grant victory to the Mujahideen, and for the other forms of support they have offered. We say from our positions here that the victories achieved by the Mujahideen are attributed first to Allah Most High, and then to the unflinching support received from all quarters of the Ummah (Islamic Nation) throughout this conflict. On the other hand, the position of the international community is disgraceful. There have been no concerted international efforts that set deadlines for the end of the war, and that threaten to implement these deadlines by using force, as was the situation in East Timor. No NATO troops moved within 48 hours to come to the aid of the beleaguered people of Chechnya, as was the case for other places around the world. This is because all infidels are but one in their actions, as Allah Most High describes them: "Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you unless you follow their form of religion.." [Quran 2:120]

Q.9 Do you believe there is a possibility of reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict?

A.9 Several commanders attempted to reach a peaceful end to the conflict by following international resolutions and norms. Despite their efforts, the war continued against the Muslims of Chechnya, as well as other places, including Dagestan, Karachay, Ingushetia and other Islamic republics. I echo the comments of my brother Shamil Basayev, may Allah keep him well, on the subject, that the only resolution to the conflict is the implementation of Sharia Law and the trial of Russia and her criminals of war.

Q.10 We have heard of negotiations between Russian and certain “Chechen commanders” – what are your comments?

A.10 These reports are untrue. None of the field commanders, all of whom are well known, have made any announcements in this regard. If, however, certain businessmen like Malik Sayidlev are announcing this through the media, that is because they are slaves of the Russian government which, in turn, is trying to fool the world into believing that it is involved in negotiating a peaceful settlement to the war. Common sense dictates the following question: How could the battles be raging across all of Chechnya when there are peace negotiations underway?

Q.11 Do you have a final statement you would like to make?

A.11 We thank Allah, Most High, the Most Powerful, the Almighty, who defeated the atheists and reversed their plots against them, and who bestowed victory upon the Mujahideen. We thank Him, for helping the Mujahideen prove to the world that no military machine and nothing material is capable of obstructing the power of Iman and absolute conviction in Allah. " Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause), For verily Allah is full of strength, Exalted in Might " [Quran 22:40]

I also remind all those who wish to know the truth of what is happening in Chechnya to visit our sites on the Internet: www.qoqaz.com and www.qoqaz.net. And the last of our prayers is that all praise be to Allah, and may Peace of Allah be upon you all.


Field Commander Ibn-ul-Khattab, Monday 24 January 2000

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21 Nov 1999: Exclusive Interview with Field Commander Shamil Basayev

Question 1: What is the current situation with respect to the Chechen Mujahideen forces in the wake of the Russian offensives in the area?

Answer 1: Today, the situation of the Mujahideen is excellent. The Russians are present in the open areas of Chechnya and they have suffered devastating losses. They have lost about 155 military vehicles, about 2000 dead, 12 fighter jets and 7 helicopters have been shot down. However, we believe that the real fighting has yet to begin as there has not yet been any face-to-face battles. We are allowing the Russians to enter deeper and deeper and deeper into Chechnya, and then we will cut off all avenues of escape for them and finish off their military sections in Chechnya, one by one, insha-Allah.

Question 2: Looking at your withdrawal from Dagestan into Chechnya, it seems like the reason was to draw Chechnya into a new war. Therefore, what is the nature of the relationship between you and the Government in Dagestan? Did you receive any help from the Chechen President Aslan Mashkadov?

Answer 2: We did not invade Dagestan. Rather, we went there in order to help our Muslim brothers in Dagestan whilst the Russians were killing them mercilessly. Dagestan is our nation and it belongs to both the Chechens and the Dagestanis. Russian separated us by force and we will unite by force insha-Allah. Our relationship with the puppet Government in Dagestan is that we consider them as our enemies. We never received any help from Aslan Mashkadov, but neither did he ever make obstacles in our path.

Question 3: What do you have to say about the silence and inaction of the Arab and Muslim countries regarding the crimes that are being committed against Chechnya?

Answer 3: The leaders of the Muslim and Arab countries have either forgotten or they are unaware that all power and strength lies in the Hands of Allah (SWT). For this reason, they are afraid of Russia. Rather, some of them are even hoping and wishing to get closer to Russia. We only feel sorry for them as insha-Allah we will destroy Russia and free them from this fear. However, we do acknowledge and realise the help that the Muslims are giving us, and we say to them, "May Allah reward you with the best reward." We respect their support for us, and the biggest help that they can give us is with their prayers and supplications.

Question 4: What are the sources of your supplies and weapons? How do arms and ammunition reach you? And what is your opinion about the rumours that the Saudi exile Usama bin Ladin is one of your financial sponsors?

Answer 4: Our sources of arms and supplies are all from the Russian Army. Most of them are previously captured spoils of war and others we bought from them. Even now, we are buying arms and supplies from them if we find the resources and the funds to do so. As for Usama bin Ladin, he is not one of our financial sponsors and neither do I know him. However, I would love to meet him especially after all this propaganda about him.

Question 5: Are there any fighters with you from outside the Caucasus region? What do you say about the reports that indicate the presence of volunteers from Muslim nations, especially from Jordanian-Chechens?

Answer 5: Yes, we do have Mujahideen, but not from outside, because the Islamic nation is one nation that belongs to all the Muslims. We have one common purpose, which is to expel the Russian forces and to create an Islamic State for all our brothers insha-Allah.

Question 6: You are labelled with spreading the Wahabi thought in the Caucasus region. What do you have to say about that?

Answer 6: Our Deen (way of life) is Islam. We follow the Quran and the Sunnah and we try to flee from division and dissension. We do not differentiate between the Muslims according to the nicknames and labels that the disbelievers have placed on them. There are four standard Islamic schools of thought in the Chechen Republic, much the same as the rest of the Muslim world. However, the term 'Wahabis' was introduced by the Russians in order to divide the Muslims who live according to the Shariah of Allah. The most important thing is that the term 'Wahabi' does not concern any of the Muslims; it is only a matter of concern to the Russians.

Question 7: Do you think that your power matches that of the Russian military machine?

Answer 7: Yes, with the Permission of Allah. Had it not been for our trust and Iman (faith) in Allah, we would never have been able to undertake Jihad. Allah says in the Quran "And do not despair and call to peace when you are in a more superior position…" [Quran 47:35]

Question 8: What are your thoughts at present? Do you see any short-term solution to solve the crisis of the War in Chechnya?

Answer 8: We only see the solution to the crisis of Chechnya with what agrees with the Islamic Shariah. In 1996, a solution to the problem was found not in accordance with the Shariah, which is why the war began a second time.

Question 9: With regards to the Chechen refugees, what is their present state? Do you not think that your actions went over the top and led to the worsening of the plight of the refugees, until it became an Islamic catastrophe?

Answer 9: Ordinary people are always the worst hit by War. The Chechens know that Allah is testing them. We will continue to struggle as we strengthen our Iman and know that our killed ones are in Paradise and the future is for Islam. And peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

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20 Nov 1999: Exclusive Interview with Field Commander Ibn-ul-Khattab

Question 1: Some people are of the opinion that you are terrorists and rebels, whilst others are of the opinion that you are standing up for an Islamic and humanitarian cause. What is your reply to that?

Answer 1: These opinions and labels do not concern us one little bit. We are fully aware of our obligation and our target. We are faced with an Islamic obligation before a humanitarian concern and this obligation is to come to the support of our Muslim brothers in every place, in person and with wealth, as Allah (SWT) said: "And if they ask you for assistance in the religion, then you must go to their aid…" [Quran 8:72].

Question 2: What do you think about the rumours that the Chechen fighters and their helpers are on one side and the Chechen people on another? And why are the Chechen people looking to the Russians and the outside world to help them from this calamity?

Answer 2: Praise be to Allah that the majority are certain of the victory from Allah and yearning for martyrdom in the Path of Allah. The Caucasian people are fully aware of who the Russian forces are and who the Russian people are. As for the ordinary people, there is no doubt that they do not want war. They are either looking towards the Russians being enemies who hate them and have destroyed their houses and killed their children. Or they are looking to the West to come to their aid.

Question 3: What is your opinion about the Russian Army? What about the Russian soldier on the battlefield?

Answer 3: Perhaps this question should be asked to the Russian prisoners who surrendered themselves to us. They are present with us now and they will tell to you that the soldiers are in a very bad state and about the rough dealings of the Russian officers towards them. It is a fact that any army that fights without a target and without an ideology or belief, they will have nothing to fight for.

Question 4: How do you perceive the state of the Western and Muslim countries?

Answer 4: As for the Western countries, they do not act except when it is in their interests and neither do they condemn the Russians much during their oppression of the Muslims. The previous affairs of the Muslims (Bosnia, Kosova, etc.) bear witness to that. As for the Muslim countries, especially the Arab countries, then I am sorry to say that their stance is nothing except fighting against those Muslims who stood by their Muslim brothers in the previous calamities to befall the Muslims.

Question 5: What is the current situation from a military point of view? What is the reality of the Chechens giving up their land? And what do you think the final outcome will be?

Answer 5: The Russian forces are entering the Chechen Republic from three principal directions: West, East and North. The Russian forces have used a new strategy in their encirclement of several principal towns before they enter them. As for our expectations, then it is possible for the Russians to enter Chechnya but it is impossible for them to remain there. The end of Russia will be in the land of the Caucasus, with the Permission of Allah.

Question 6: Do you need any support? What support in particular do you need?

Answer 6: The Chechen Republic has been surrounded from all sides. However, the Russian Army is prepared to sell everything for a price. As for previous affairs of the Muslims, one would always find Islamic charities and organisations present. I am sorry to say that there is not a SINGLE Islamic charity or organisation active inside Chechnya at present. Only the Red Cross is present in the Chechen towns and cities. Therefore, we advise the Muslims and the Muslim countries to take a sincere stand with the Mujahideen in the land of the Caucasus.

The Muslim and Arab world is under the grip and influence of the deceiving and lying Western media. Therefore the Muslims are under the impression that the situation is that of an internal Russian affair. The situation demands that the sincere Muslims in the Muslim World stand by their Mujahideen brothers in the land of the Caucasus. Previously, the Muslim World, in particular the Arab countries, were not able to help the Mujahideen in the land of the Caucasus due to the difficulties in finding out the reality of the situation. As for now, however, the Muslim World and others besides them know full well what is happening in the land of the Caucasus.

Question 7: Has the cutting off of gas and electricity had an effect on the sick, wounded, children and women?

Answer 7: There is no doubt that this has affected the children and the women. However, Praise be to Allah that the land of Chechnya is a land rich in oil and mineral resources. I say that the Russians did not cut off electricity and gas in the 1994-96 war. This is evidence that the Russian Government wishes to obliterate all the Chechens as a race and not only the Mujahideen as they are claiming in the media.

Question 8: Do you have a last word or an appeal, and to whom do you direct this?

Answer 8: I direct this appeal to the Muslim World and in particular, the scholars and the generous Muslims.

"I say that the Caucasian people are honest in their religion and their return to Allah (SWT). The Western World is supporting Russia to wage war against the Muslims once again, even if they are claiming the opposite to that. The offensives that the Russian forces undertook (such as in Dagestan) were against towns that announced the implementation of the Islamic Shariah. Indeed this is Christian war and crusade against Islam and its people and it is an obligation upon the Muslims, especially the great scholars, to support their Mujahideen brothers in the land of the Caucasus."

And Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds

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23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 1: Alex Calcun, ID No. 466-1571, First Officer in Intelligence and Reconnaissance, 92-154 Division

From Grozny, Chechnya, 23 November 1999.

Transcripts of video-filmed interviews with captured Russian soldiers, amongst them officers and amongst them ordinary soldiers. Some of them gave themselves up whilst others were captured. The video of the interviews will be released on this web-site very soon insha-Allah. These prisoners are from different military sections stationed both inside Chechnya and outside it along its borders.

Amongst them are those that work for External Military Intelligence and amongst them are those that work for the Special Air Forces. All of their interviews were carried out by the Mujahideen leadership, amongst them Field Commander Khattab, Commander Abu Zar and Commander Ismail. We have disclosed the Military Number of the prisoner at the start, for credibility of these reports only, so that anyone can independently verify this information.

Question 1: Identify yourself

Answer 1: First Officer in the Russian Military Intelligence. Originally Russian. I was born in Ukraine. My age is 49 years old, married, with one son. I am an assistant to a Corps Commander in Reconnaissance Forces in the 92-154 Brigade. My name is Alex Calcun and my identification number is 466-1571.

Question 2: How were you captured?

Answer 2: I was captured inside the Chechen Republic in the Tereek Province, near to the city of Banibort, by the Chechen Border Patrol. There were three of us who left in three military trucks to the Chechen border. There was our head, who was a Corps Commander, myself and my friend, a First Officer. We were met by a civilian car driven by a Chechen named Abdul-Laeef, one of the agents of the Russian Intelligence. We entered Chechnya and on the way we were stopped by armed Chechens. They questioned us in the Chechen language and as we were unable to reply to them, they took us out of the car and we were placed in captivity.

Question 3: What were the operations or targets that you were tasked with?

Answer 3: Our target was to establish a base in this border town of Banibort in order to get to know the roads and the area in general. We had sub-machine-guns in our cases and handguns fitted with silencers. We had to prepare a reconnaissance position for another group comprising seven men equipped with everything from explosives materials, directional mines and range-finding equipment. Our objective was to distribute mines on the roads used by the Mujahideen and the roads used by the refugee convoys. The reason behind these actions was to instil fear and terror into the people prior to the invasion of the Russian forces. (When asked about the reason behind hitting the refugee convoys, he replied that they would blame the Mujahideen for that. This in turn would create problems between the Mujahideen and the common people, helping the Russian Media to portray the Mujahideen as killers and bandits.) After that we were to return by car, or if we had any problems, to meet up at a rendez-vous point and then to radio for a helicopter to pick us up.

Question 4: Is there a new strategy of the Russian forces in their second war against the Mujahideen after the first war? What are the objectives of the Russian forces in this war?

Answer 4: I do not know but I do know that we have failed so far.

Question 5: What is your opinion on the state of the Russian Army?

Answer 5: The morale of the Russian Army is very low indeed because most of the people know that it is an unjust war and they know what the outcome of this war will be. The majority have seen that the ones worse affected by this war are the children, women, old men and ordinary people. The evidence for this is that hitting refugee convoys is one of our objectives. The politics in Moscow behind this war is not just. It is the Russians who are fighting inside Chechnya, not the Chechens who are fighting inside Russia.

Question 6: What is your opinion about the morale of the Mujahideen in Chechnya?

Answer 6: These people are the ones who will win this war, because they are defending their belief, their religion, their honour and their homeland. As for us, we do not have a cause to fight for.

Question 7: What are the reasons behind this war against the Chechen Republic?

Answer 7: The reasons are clear: the Generals and the politicians are struggling for rank, status and money and they do not see the poor state of the soldiers with their lack of food supplies and in the extreme cold. This war has no meaning to it at all.

Question 8: Who do you think will be victorious or gain the upper hand in this war?

Answer 8: We will leave Chechnya quickly and soon.

Question 9: What do you wish to say to the Russian Government and to the Russian Military Leadership?

Answer 9: To Russia I say that it must end this war before it leads to the disintegration of Russia and solve the problem of Chechnya. Or it must grant independence to Chechnya because the Mujahideen and the Chechen people are well-versed and experienced in warfare and they are intent on fighting to the very end.

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23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 2: Christov Alexander, 301st Special Air Division

Q. Identify yourself

A. My name is Christov Alexander. I am 19-years old and from the province of Siberia. I joined military service last year and was attached to the 301st Special Air Division.

Q. How were you captured?

A. My unit was given orders to move from Botlikh (Dagestan) to the province of Vedeno in Chechnya. The unit was divided into two groups. Each group included 14 soldiers and two officers, all of whom were traveling in trucks. The plan was to move from two directions through the valley and from the mountain. Each route would be taken by one of the two units. We moved for an entire day and spent one night in Chechnya. On the second day, a jeep that was being used by the Mujahideen approached us at about 10:00 a.m. None of us (Special Air Division troops) saw them (the Mujahideen) coming, even though our commanders had positioned two soldiers as lookouts on a nearby height. (When the jeep approached) The commander gave an order for the unit to conceal itself. And, after a few minutes, the jeep stop and the Mujahideen commenced firing at us. I'm not sure who actually started the shooting. Before we knew it, we were under fire: All of the 14 soldiers in my unit in the valley and the 14 men on the heights were killed, with the exception of myself and one of my colleagues; both of us were captured after having sustained injuries.

Q. What were the operations that you were commissioned with? What orders were you issued?

A. We were ordered to penetrate deep into Chechen territory and to move on foot for about 15 kilometers per day until we joined-up with the other 14-man unit. It was then planned that the two units would reconnoiter the roads and vicinity around Vedeno in order to pinpoint the locations of the Mujahideen.

Q. Are Russian forces using new tactics that differ from those executed during the first Chechen war?

A. The officers of our division informed us that the Russian military would not commit the errors of the first war, and that we would undertake operations employing new tactics. However, I witnessed for myself that there were no new strategies or tactics. The proof of that materialized when all of the men in my unit were either killed or wounded, even though the odds placed 28 of us (from the Special Air Division), and only five of the Mujahideen

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Russian forces?

A. There is no morale amongst all of our troops. Everybody (Russian soldiers) are hoping to desert, or for their conscription terms to expire in hope of returning home. (The situation is aggravated) because of the exceedingly poor treatment we receive from the officers and the mercenaries who are serving alongside the regular army. (For example) we suffer severely from cold and malnutrition. However, when supplies are received, the officers and the mercenaries keep all the stocks for themselves.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Mujahideen in Chechnya?

A. I don't understand what you mean. But what I can say is that the Chechens are fighting for their land, and we are nothing but strangers who will soon be on their way out (of Chechnya). As for the Mujahideen, I can say that I saw how strong their morale was; after all, a group of only five of them wiped out an entire unit of the Special Air Division. I don't know why we are fighting this war. The average Russian soldier knows nothing about this war, while the Mujahideen know what they are fighting for and why.

Q. What are the reasons for the war against the Republic of Chechnya?

A. I do not know, for after we left our barracks, we were not allowed to listen to radios or to watch television. We know nothing about this war and why it is being fought.

Q. Whom do you expect will win this war?

A. I do not know, but I think this war will end like the first war, and that the Russian government will have to sign an agreement with the Mujahideen in Chechnya.

Q. What would you like to say to the Russian government and military?

A. I want to say that none of the sons of senior politicians or high-ranking military officers are here with us here in the front-lines. What will the Russian government tell the Russian mothers whose sons were killed? What will they tell the wife of an officer who gave birth to a child whose father was killed in battle? They all lied to us. They told us that we were going to Dagestan, but look at us today, we are prisoners in Chechnya. They just gave us a few weapons and pushed us into this failed war.

Q. What have you heard about the Mujahideen?

A. We were told that the Mujahideen tortured prisoners, and that they slit the throats of those whom they captured. We were told that the Mujahideen took pleasure in amputating the ears and noses of the prisoners; that Shamil and Khattab enjoyed killing prisoners, and that it would be better for a solider to commit suicide that to fall prisoner. However, we have seen the Mujahideen as not being like that. Nobody hit or abused us; instead, we were treated for our injuries.

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23 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 3: Zawazan Nikolai Niklabovic, Special Air Division

Q. Identify yourself?

A. Zawazan Nikolai Niklabovic, (a Crucifixer) from the province of Beshkeria. I joined the Special Air Division of the Russian military last year.

Q. How were you captured?

A. I arrived in Dagestan three days ago and immediately joined the Special Air Division units that crossed into Chechnya. (This prisoner recounted the same story as the former prisoner). When we came under fire, my commander ordered me to deploy smoke bombs in order to cover the unit's retreat. I threw the first bomb, but it did not explode. When I tried to throw the second bomb, it exploded in my hand, severing two fingers of my right hand. When we saw the Mujahdieen approach us, we implored them not to kill us, and we surrendered to them, handing over all of our weapons, upon which, the Mujahideen took us to hospital for treatment.

Q. What were the operations that you were commissioned with? What orders were you issued?

A. Same answer as previously stated by prisoner no.2

Q. Are Russian forces using new tactics that differ from those executed during the first Chechen war?

A. There is no new strategy. We saw how aircraft and artillery bombard the Chechen villages, killing and wounding the innocent. I have been a prisoner of the Mujahideen in the town of Vedeno, and have seen how Russian artillery bombards the town, falsely believing that it is destroying Mujahideen positions. For Russia, this war (as in the first war) is one where heavy weapons are used ineffectively from afar.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Russian forces?

A. Initially, I refused to fight. But I was forced into battle against my will. The officers' main concerns are maintaining position and receiving accolades (medals) The officers do not care about the soldiers and their morale. We do not know what we are fighting for and we have no goals in this war, that is why we also have no morale.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Mujahideen in Chechnya?

A. The Mujahideen are fearless, and that is because they are fighting for their homeland.

Q. What are the reasons for the war against the Republic of Chechnya?

A. I do not know, but there are elections coming up in Russia, and this war is probably because bureaucrats like the Prime Minister (Putin) and the officers, are vying for power and position in the government.

Q. Whom do you expect will win this war?

A. I think this war will be won by those who live upon this land. The Russian military believes it can defeat the Mujahideen, but it will not succeed.

Q. What would you like to say to the Russian government and military?

A. I call upon the Russian government to stop this failed war. Should a foreign invader attack our country, then we will fight, and we will know what we are fighting for. Oh you officers! stop sending troops (to their deaths) It is not you (the officers) who are dying, it is us, the average soldiers who are dying. If one of you officers were wounded and captured like me, you would have stopped the war. The soldiers don't even know how to use their weapons, look at me, I was injured and had part of my hand severed.

Q. What have you heard about the Mujahideen?

A. Contrary to what our officers told us, the Mujahideen took us immediately (from the battlefield) to the hospital were we received immediate first aid, and then continued our treatment. We eat as the Mujahideen eat…all of what the Russian government says about the Mujahideen is lies.

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24 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 4: Vladimir Bakhomov

Q. Identify yourself

A. My name is Vladimir Bakhomov. I am 24-years old and live near Moscow. I am married and have no children. I am an officer in the Military Intelligence unit of the reconnaissance division.

The officer’s replies to questions posed by the Mujahideen were similar to those of his comrades who were also captured near Vedeno.

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24 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 5: K. Vitaly Yakovlich, 506th Army Division

Q. Identify yourself

A. My name is K. Vitaly Yakovlich. I am from Ptra (close to Moscow) and joined the 506th army division last year.

Q. How were you captured?

A. I surrendered to the Mujahideen along with two of my colleagues; we handed over our weapons and came under the custody of the Mujahideen in the northern Chechen town of Petro Palmisky.

Q. What were the operations that you were commissioned with? What orders were you issued?

A. I was a member of the infantry forces stationed north of Grozny.

Q. Are Russian forces using new tactics that differ from those executed during the first Chechen war?

A. Russian forces are using very conservative tactics in the fight against the Mujahideen. The military planned to move against Mujahideen positions by sending several units simultaneously, every time a unit would take a particular area, it would maintain its position and allow the other units to move forward. Our commanding officer, who is of Chechen origin, informed us that this was the tactic used by Nazi Germany during World War Two. However (this tactic failed) I never saw an armored vehicle move forward.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Russian forces?

A. The morale of Russian soldiers is exceedingly poor. We are constantly beaten and humiliated by the officers and the Cotatrat (Mercenary units). Food supplies are scarce, and troops often stand sentry 12 hours every day. Many soldiers want to escape, but they fear only two things: First, the fact that military intelligence units pursue deserters, in fact, our officer used to tell us that anyone who disobeys and order would be killed and never asked about ever again. The second thing that worried us was the false impression that the Mujahideen are monsters who torture and kill their prisoners. I now know that the latter point is false.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Mujahideen in Chechnya?

A. I do not know. But after having lived amongst them (the Mujahideen) for sometime now, I have come to realize that they are fearless and are always ready for battle. We (the Russians) however, are scared because we fear death.

Q. What are the reasons for the war against the Republic of Chechnya?

A. I do not know.

Q. Whom do you expect will win this war?

A. Victory will be for the people of this land, no matter how long Russian troops remain here.

Q. What would you like to say to the Russian government and military?

A. I tell everyone who I can (Russian troops) if you can escape, do not hesitate to do so. The Russian military command is lying to us; they told us we were coming to defend Dagestan, and suddenly we found ourselves in Grozny facing the specter of death.

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24 Nov 1999: Russian Prisoner No. 6: Shroiken Dima (Yusuf), Russian Foreign Military Intelligence

NOTE: BY THE MERCY OF ALLAH, THIS PRISONER EMBRACED ISLAM, AND HAS CHANGED HIS NAME TO YUSUF. HE IS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE MUJAHIDEEN IN MANY OPERATIONS.

Q. Identify yourself

A. My name is Shroiken Dima. I am 27 years old and a resident of the city of Savonova in the outskirts of Moscow. I am unmarried, and was a Christian serving as an officer in Russian Foreign Military Intelligence. Fortunately however, Allah bestowed upon me the mercy of Islam and I have changed my name to Yusuf.

Q. How were you captured?

A. Russian forces sent us, among many others, to gather information about the Mujahideen in Chechnya. We posed as civilians who were coming to work as maintenance men for electrical equipment. I was traveling with a colleague on the train from Moscow to Grozny, with the aim of slipping into the republic and covertly fulfilling my orders. However, upon our arrival to Chechnya, we were searched by Chechen customs guards and asked for proper identification papers. As we did not posses these documents, we were taken into the custody of the Mujahideen.

Q. What were the operations that you were commissioned with? What orders were you issued?

A. To gather information about the Mujahideen bases and to forward any information requested by the Russian military.

Q. Are Russian forces using new tactics that differ from those executed during the first Chechen war?

A. I think the Russian military is trying to imitate the US-led NATO offensive against the Serbs in Kosova. The military is depending on long-range aerial and artillery bombardment of bridges, roads, factories and homes in an effort to pressure the civilian population. The Russian media is not reporting on this (attacks against civilians).

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Russian forces?

A. The morale of Russian soldiers does not exist for it to be described. For an army to have high morale there must be clear objectives and a solid ideology to fight for. What I know is that the fighting is done for the promise of cash (Russian troops sent to the Chechnya are promised US$40 per month instead of the usual US$5 per month, most Russian troops have yet to be paid since the start of the conflict). There is no trust between soldiers and their leadership; Officers do not care about the life of the average soldier, nor do they care to ensure provisions of nutrition and clothing for them. Worst of all, if a soldier (of the Russian army) falls captive, nobody asks about him. The Mujahideen on the other hand care for one another and ask about each other; they are also aware that the situation of the Russian army is precarious.

Q. How would you describe the morale of the Mujahideen in Chechnya?

A. Our morale is very very high, that is because we are fighting for Allah. I have seen all of the Mujahideen eager to be martyred, to be killed for the sake of Allah. Compare this to the Russian military that uses the promise of cash to encourage the troops to fight; even this promise of higher wages is not forthcoming! The goals of the two sides differ tremendously, and the scales favor the Mujahideen. I am confident that we will be victorious, by the will of Allah. (note the change in tone, the brother is now describing the Mujahideen as ‘we’ – Subhan Allah, who brings us out of the darkness and into the light)

Q. What are the reasons for the war against the Republic of Chechnya?

A. I believe the reasons are economic and political.

Q. Whom do you expect will win this war?

A. The end of this war is not near. But I am confident that victory will be on our side, by the will of Allah. The Russian military may bomb, burn and destroy, and their armour might roll into all of the provinces. However, that does not mean that they have won this war, for they will never succeed in destroying the Mujahideen, and they will never subdue the faith of the people, nor will they change their ideology (of the Chechens). After all, the Russians have no ideology whatsoever and those who do not posses something cannot give it to others.

Q. What would you like to say to the Russian government and military?

A. I tell them that no matter what you do in the aim of subduing Islam in the Caucasus, you will fail, sooner or later. The people here will live only by the way of Islam. I ask Allah that the Russian people familiarize themselves with Islam; the Russians do not understand Islam, and are mislead in their knowledge of this religion. As for the Russian government, I call upon it to resign and to leave this land, and all of the Northern Caucasus. I also call upon the Russian military to stop this barbaric war before it is too late for them. I also urge any Russian solider who is capable of thinking clearly to join the Mujahideen or to turn his weapons against the criminals and killers in Russia. If this is not done, the Muslims of the Caucasus will not simply forgive and forget about Russian crimes committed in this land.

Q. What have you heard about the Mujahideen?

A. Russian media reports about the Mujahideen are untrue. All claims that that they are killers, criminals and drug addicts are false. The people (Chechens) are fighting to defend their faith and their homeland.

Q. How and why did you become a Muslim?

A. I used to know nothing about Islam, and there were few ways of learning about the Religion when I was in Russia. However, when I was captured, I was taken to the home of Khattab (commander of the Foreign Mujahideen) where I had the opportunity to read different publications about Islam. I also witnessed how the Mujahideen live their lives for Allah. They always pray, are honest, do not use intoxicants, do not steal and have no problems with each other. This is the complete opposite of the Russian military that is plagued by drunkenness, theft, pillage and numerous other problems. I THANK ALLAH WHO BESTOWED UPON ME THE MERCY OF ISLAM, AND PLEDGE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND SUPPORT THE MUJAHIDEEN I EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

NOTE: BROTHER YUSUF IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF RUSSIAN SOLDIERS, WHO FROM THE FIRST YEARS OF THE JIHAD IN AFGHANISTAN HAVE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE MUJAHIDEEN MAY ALLAH ACCEPT HIS ISLAM AND GIVE HIM THE REWARD OF A MUJAHID IN LIFE AND DEATH.

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kamil, those are all lies.

NOTICE that number 6 is caught on 24th but later they say that he faught in 94-96 and ALREADY THEN converted to ISLAM and started working for mujahideen.

Wella, as someone might remember, few days ago someone posted subhuman article about Russia written by one Ottawa prick, namely John Robson, for Ottawa Citizen newspaper. As I am and others are perfectly aware of some loosers who come here to spill some dirt at any chance possible, here is for all your sorry a$$es a formal apology from that filth John Robson:

An apology to all readers
for my column on Russia

John Robson
The Ottawa Citizen

The purpose of this column is to offer a sincere and
detailed apology for my Jan. 7 column on Russia. It was
offensive and hurtful and I am extremely sorry for what I
wrote. Had I not been away for the past week, I would have
apologized sooner.

The vulgarity of the headline, the final line and the
comparison of Russia to a lump of dung contributed to its
offensiveness. They were cheap shots and I regret them......

.....So what really matters now is not my opinion of Russia, but
my opinion of my column of Jan. 7. I am ashamed of it. By
careless writing and overgeneralization, I produced a
column that was highly offensive.

I am very sorry.

John Robson is Senior Writer and Deputy Editorial Pages
Editor.

For the full apology, here's the link:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/columnists/robson/000119/3458745.html

Fenriz

Oh yeah, the countodown has begun!

The amnesty for the chechen rebels who did not commit serious crime will expire on Feb. 1.

6 DAYS TO GO, LADIES AND GENTELMEN!

Fenriz

so he didn't get fired?

Dimitri ( - 208.198.122.14) on Monday, January 24, 2000 - 06:21 pm:

as I was browsing thru the net I came across of this article..I am not taking any guesses or
anything, but, does the following article have anything to do with your name?

Yes it does :). It also happens that my real name initials are F.C.

DarkThrone are elite.

But what it has to do with Chechnia?

Fenriz