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Amir
of Supreme military Madzhlisul
Shura
of Mujahideen, Shamil Basayev gave an exclusive telephonic interview to agency
«Kavkaz-Center».
Question:
One of these days, president of USA, George Bush addressed to Chechen
leadership with an appeal «to cut off all relations with international
terrorism, with Osama bin Laden and his organization «Al-Qaeda». What is the
real situation in Ichkeria and whether there is a base for White House to make
similar announcements?
Shamil:
Frankly speaking, we were surprised that George Bush made such an announcement.
Sorrowfully and may be fortunately, Bush once again has shown us true essence of
so-called «democracy» and those western values, which are presented to the
world as a top achievement of modern civilization. Practically for any week in
exchange for doubtful support by Putin, George Bush changed the position
declared earlier on situation in Chechen Republic. And it is very sad.
I
want to remind to Bush and the rest, that on our ground since hundred of years
with breaks, there is a ruthless and bloody terrorist war carried out by
Russia. We in the form of Jihad conduct national-liberation struggle. Therefore,
we accept everything that corresponds to Shari’ah. And reject everything that
contradicts to Shari’ah. We have no connection with Bin Laden. But we have
connection and friendship and mutual support treaty with leadership and people
of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the unique country in the world, which recognized
independence of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Afghanistan made that what the
first had to make by countries of the west, under whose supervision were held
elections in our country in 1997. We have executed all instructions of so-called
international law, however, the west has shown its hypocrisy. The west is acting
on hypocrisy even today when in the name of concern of «violation of human
rights in Chechen Republic», actually is helping Russia to kill Chechen people
by all kinds of weapon.
Therefore
our position is defined to the following:
We
have no connection with Osama bin Laden, with his organization «Al-Qaeda».
In
territory of Ichkeria, there is no fighter from «Al-Qaeda» and never was.
We
reject all accusations in connection with so-called «international terrorism»
and we consider their false and only propaganda.
In
connection with that, our state has friendship and mutual cooperation Treaty
with Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, we consider out duty to support people and
leadership of Afghanistan resolutely.
We
call Muslims of entire world to assist Afghan people, who are exposed to unfair
aggression and danger of destruction.
Last
events have shown the true value of so-called democratic values. Having
bargained with the Russian empire and actually having betrayed Ichkeria, having
trembled their own ideals, the west has shown, that their value is small. But
this tender will not have any consequences and influence on mujahideen. We shall
continue the fair struggle till to full victory, Insha Allah!
The
west more recently spoke about democracy, human rights, spoke about
anti-colonial character of our struggle and within one week changed the position,
having declared, that we are related with so-called «Islamic terrorism». «Islamic
terrorism», as such is not present. There is state terrorism and the main state,
which professes this terrorism, is Russia. Today USA try to be similar to Russia.
We conduct national-liberation struggle. We actually conduct the hardest war,
instead of imaginary international terrorism against its avant-garde, the main
ideologist and the main organizer - Russia. Russia is the center and nursery of
the present international terrorism, which plunges the world into a dangerous
opposition. And the duty of all countries of the world is to help us in this
struggle in a name of rescue of its own future
I
think, that today's events in the world, willingly or unwillingly, at last, help
to be united to Muslims. We want that or we do not want, if we trust in Allah,
we should recognize, that kafirs in any case will not leave us in rest. Allah (S.
T.) reminds us of it in the Holy Koran – «They never will cease to battle
with you, yet will not avert you from your religion, if they can». That is
attacks on Muslims and war of kafirs with Muslims never stop, while we do not
become similar to them, we shall not accept their religion, their customs, and
their traditions. While, we do not go astray similar to them. Therefore, Allah
orders to us – «Keep fastened to the rope of Allah, and not separated!»
Today
we call all Muslims of the world to be united and to support people of
Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the unique country in the world, which is sincere to
aspire to live on a Shari’ah. Bin Laden is the only reason behind which is the
aspiration to destroy Shari’ah built in Afghanistan. If there were not Bin
Laden, they would have thought up of someone else. The entire matter is that
people of Afghanistan lives on Shari’ah and wants to live according to
Shari’ah. Once again, I shall remind, that we have treaty with Afghanistan and
consequently we shall support people of Afghanistan. We today declare «Labbaik
to amirul Mumineen» (we declare our loyalty to аmir
mumineen) and we call all Muslims of the world to raise the same slogan – «Labbaik
to amirul Mumineen».
We
are not a toy to make bargain on us. Today, favor of Allah is with us in a
condition to solve the destiny. About the weapon in hands we assert freedom and
independence and we conduct national-liberation struggle in the name of Jihad.
We are not terrorists. Terrorists are those, who attacked our state and our
people, and have killed its more than 200 thousand people convicted of nothing
from among peace inhabitants. Terrorists are those, who today try to solve their
own problems by murder of whole people.
Problem
of Bin Laden if it really exists, it is possible to solve it in other way. And
in this question, we shall support any decision, which will be fair. But today
we see, that under this mark on all Muslims, at all objectionable is hanging up
a label of «Islamic terrorist» and by that try to accuse Muslims and to divide
Muslims. In practice, the crusade against Muslims today was declared. And now
those, who all time tried to be pulled together and become friends with the west,
have seen, that all the same, we for them are others and in any opportunity they
will attack Muslims and will kill us.
Question:
And what are the prospects?
Shamil:
All lies in hands of Allah. We can assume only. For us, it is strange and even
shameful, that USA and West actually put Putin to itself on the neck. Putin is
among those people, who stretch finger; he will bite off the hand. We warn the
West and USA - let them not to be mistaken. Tomorrow they will regret about
today's step. Tragic can be the deliberate error of the West that they attacked
on Islam. The west can win this war or can separate Islam from bearers of
religion of Allah - Muslims. Attacking on Islam with the unproved statements
that Moslems are guilty in strikes on USA, the West risks to catch not 19
suicide attackers, but hundreds and thousand of mujahideen, which without
fluctuation and doubts will give the lives, so that to protect religion of Allah
from humiliation. Also today it is not necessary to push Muslims in a corner. In
any case, nobody will succeed to put Muslims on knees and to strangle Islam.
We
offer the West to focus not on imaginary, but real international terrorism,
which was rendered by Russia. The spokesman, its ideological inspirer and the
organizer of true international terrorism is the Kremlin regime, who is real
danger and real enemy of all civilized mankind. Chechen state and Chechen people
stand on the first line of struggle against the international terrorism against
Kremlin regime.
Therefore,
we offer to USA, Great Britain and other countries and as all responsible heads
of the West to cut off relations with Russia as with the dangerous terrorist
state, which practices the state terrorism in its policy, racketeering and
massacre of civilians. Chechen side has incontestable facts and proofs of
terrorist activity of Russia and its administrative structures and participation
of special services of the Kremlin in acts of terrorism, both in territory of
Russia, and behind its limits. Chechen side is ready to give concrete proofs of
participation of Moscow of massacre of the people. Many facts of terrorist
activity of the Kremlin are known also to the western states.
Question:
Last days, there were rumors about possible negotiations between Ichkeria and
Russia. In this connection, specify Putin's 72-hour ultimatum, which as Kremlin
representatives have then explained, was not the ultimatum, but invitation for
negotiations. After the expiration of 72-hours operation of mujahideen, which
many including among Chechen side, have counted as the answer to Putin’s
ultimatum, which followed large-scale common military operations. Some even have
expressed doubts – «it was impossible to do it, and even to speak about
military successes was impossible, as negotiating process is hardly adjusted and
Russian can make offence». What is the real situation in Ichkeria? And how has
affected the general picture of military actions in the country Putin's offer -
ultimatum to Chechen side?
Shamil:
Our
actions do not depend on desire of our enemies. We conduct struggle for
independence of our people and state. Our Jihad is struggle for freedom.
Therefore, we do not pay attention that somewhere, someone, something has told
or to it was suddenly taken in head to tell. We carried out and we spend our
scheduled military operations. From announcements of our enemies, we should not
and we are not going to change our plans. We have carried out very successful
and important army operation in Kurchaloyevsky, Shalinsky, Vedeno,
Groznen-selsky districts, and as in Argun, Shali and Johar. We did not hear any
invitation about negotiations, and ultimatums are not interesting to us. On the
part of Putin and his hired murderers, we perceive their ultimatums not more
than rubbish.
What
is concerned about negotiations, there was no invitation to negotiations. We are
not interested in such negotiations about which Putin speaks. So negotiations do
not conduct. It is necessary to withdraw armies. That Putin offers simply was
ridicule at us. Anything in serious was present not it. It was artful movement
to deceive Muslims. Putin tries to deceive once again that we invited them to
negotiations. He wants to tighten time so that to use armies against Afghanistan,
having offered negotiations in Chechen Republic. And, at the same time, want to
divide us, having hung a label of «terrorists» on one and to present «stray»
others. And the announcement of connections of Chechens with "international
terrorism", Bush helps Putin to carry out this artful plan. It is not new
to us. We have got used to it. The dog barks and caravan goes. Jihad will
proceed.
Question:
What
are conditions of leadership of CRI? Whether there are disagreements about which
like to speak Moscow? And how the situation will develop, even if negotiations
with Moscow will be real?
Shamil:
Situation in leadership of CRI and mutual relation are on top-level. All of us
together are at war against the common enemy. We shall not give pleasure to our
enemies by disagreements. Insignificant misunderstanding, which exists,
doesn’t influence the situation. Also it is our internal affair, which we
quietly and without serious consequences will solve, and we shall decide
henceforth, but, Insha Allah, without the help of Russia or some one else. And
what is related with negotiations, all is clear and apparent – if it will
correspond to the Shari’ah, it will be accepted unconditionally. It
contradicts Shari’ah, will be unconditionally rejected by Chechen people!
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