DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / ISLAMIC MILITANTS
NUMBER=5-44479
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=NAZRAN, INGUSHETIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces continue a shelling and bombing
campaign against what officials describe as "terrorist
bases" of Islamic militants inside the breakaway
republic of Chechnya. Chechen refugees fleeing the
shelling say they do not support the militants and
officials from the neighboring republic of Ingushetia
say they fear Islamic fundamentalism could spread to
their region. V-O-A correspondent Eve Conant brings
us this report from Nazran, Ingushetia.
TEXT: The tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from
Russian air strikes are shocked and confused. If
Russian officials insist they are only bombing
terrorist bases, they ask, then why are their homes
being shelled?
Three years ago, Chechens united and fought a civil
war for independence. But this time Chechen civilians
say they are not involved and do not support the
Islamic militants - known as "Wahhabis" - that Russian
forces claim to be targeting. The technical
definition of the Wahhabi sect describes them as a
conservative Muslim group that opposes all practices
not sanctioned by the Koran, the sacred book of Islam.
In Russia, the term is generally applied to any strict
adherent of Islamic doctrine.
Russian officials blame Islamic militants for a recent
series of apartment bombings that killed nearly 300
people. The blasts coincided with two incursions of
Chechen militants into the neighboring republic of
Dagestan in an attempt to establish an independent
Islamic state.
A leading Russian academician who specializes in the
Caucasus, Sergey Arytunov, says economic instability
is what attracts new members to the sect.
/// Act Arytunov ///
Wahhabites find today support only among a
fraction of Dagestani society. Mostly among
impoverished, disoriented, dehumanized youth who
are unemployed, who have no hopes, no prospects,
and who have lost all traditional values. This
youth is not so numerous today. However, since
the unemployment in Dagestan remains and most
probably in the near future is only going to be
aggravated, the number of such young people
ready to listen to Wahhabi propaganda will grow.
/// End Act ///
Dagestani forces helped to repel the rebels in August
and September, but officials in neighboring republics
fear they may be targeted next. Ingushetia's
President Ruslan Aushev says he fears the movement's
growing influence.
/// Act Aushev in Russian in full and fade
under ///
"We do not support Wahhabism and will not allow armed
extremists to impose religion by force," he says.
"Wahhabism is an evil that has come to the Caucasus."
Many of the refugees in the camps of Ingushetia do not
support the Wahhabis. But they are curious to know
just who does. Chechens like refugee Lyoma Hakiya
believe the militants are paid off by the Kremlin.
"I don't support the Wahhabis, but Russians do," he
says, "they need instability and they got it. The
Russians give them money, where else would they get
their Mercedes and Jeeps?" he asks.
Russian officials say the militants are funded by both
international terrorists and ransom gained from
kidnappings. Interior Ministry statistics show more
than one thousand people - including over 60
foreigners - have been kidnapped by criminal gangs in
and around Chechnya over the last 3 years.(Signed)
NEB/EC/GE/JP
12-Oct-1999 12:26 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 1626 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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