About Chechnya? I'd love to hear the general opinion!

[Maaja]

I have to say that I like Chechens. I've met many of them and I can't say anything bad about them. But of course they have been *nice guys*, not *real terrorists, bandits* or what ever. (Although Russian governement says that all Chechens are bandits!:) I've talked with youth, politicians, children... about their country and nation. And I never felt that I could dislike them. They seem to be an open-minded and friendly nation. I am for their freedom and I hope they can get it soon. Although it seems quite difficult, especially because *then national hero of USA* (Bush, who else could it be?!), told to Putin that he can do what ever he wants with Chechnya. So he like sold this nation to Putin and what he got back? Some little help for this ridiculous war that has going on.... Maybe not so ridiculous because I am not for Taliban but USA's actions there ARE ridiculous!
So, I would like to know what do think the people of this community about Chechnya. I hope I'll get some replys, even if they are short ones!
Ciao

[revolutionary spirit]

i think the russians r in the wrong,they blew the fuck out of grozny randomly and i'm sure thay have done shit loads of war crimes over there

[El Commandante]

When I was leaving Russia I asked the tour leader who was a Russian, a very educated man who taught at a university what he thought about Chechnya and this is his response.

"Most people don't care about the bastards, we just want their oil". I don't know how far this goes with other people but it wasn't exactly the answer that I was expecting from him.

I personnally think that the Chechens have every right to be fighting for their freedom and it is sickening that the Western leaders have turned their backs on a nation for the use of a few air fields to bomb even more oppressed people.

[celticsocialist]

All countries should have their freedom if they want it.
I hate to see a country like Chechnya having to fight for its freedom when my own country can vote for its self-rule and so many of my fellow Scots don`t take the opportunity. I love my country but sometimes i feel ashamed of the apathy shown by my people.

[DaNatural]

im very unfamiliar with the situation in chechnya if anyone can give me a link a bit of the backround or perhaps a breif summary i would appreciate it . peace

[CheGuevara]

I don't care very much for either side. I think both sides have committed war crimes, although the Russians have probably committed more considering there are far more Chechens in Chechnya for Russians to target than there are Russians in Chechnya for Chechens to target. And of course, the Russian's complete lack of tactical precision with their attacks is disgusting. However, the main reason I don't care much for the Chechens is that I'm afraid they'd create an Islamic republic out of Chechnya if they were to have their independence. Not that I have anything against Islamic republics in particular, I just have a strong dislike for governments without a separation of church and state. I don't think they'd be quite as fundamentalist as some place like Iran, but I still do not like the idea. But the important question was were they rebelling in the first place? I really don't know, and if someone could enlighten me I'd appreciate it. Were the Chechens discriminated against by the Russian government? I really don't know too much about the causes.

[Maaja]

Da Natural,
If you wish to learn more about Chechens, wich is a good wish, then I can give you some addresses:
www.amina.com (the chat there is wonderful!)
www.chechen. org
http://chechenress.com
So, go there and you'll meet fanatstic people, you'll meet not so nice people too... but I am sure that you can read about history, about the war that is going on etc.
And you can ask me because I consider myself as a quite big specialist of this topic!
Maaja

[Maaja]

Chechens have been fighting for independence for houndreds and houndreds years. But this war that has being going on now started less than 10 years ago. Their previous president Dzokhar Dudaev was against Russian occupation but he waunted becaose free as Baltic states did - without war. Unfortunately many important generals were against, they wanted to make money with war, and to get glory. They were mostly Chechens not originally from Chechnya but from UAE and other radical Islamic countries. Dudaev couldn't do anything to stop the war that has began, although he could to make it less violent. The new president isn't so *charismatic* person and probably he hasn't enough power to unite all Chechnya. This country would need a good leader!