CRIMEAN NEWS No. 28.
(The Mass-media Survey for 18-23
October 1999).
THE CRIMEAN CABINET discussing the problems of deported nations.
A TRANSPORT CORRIDOR PASSES THROUGH KERCH.
A TRANSPORT CORRIDOR PASSES THROUGH KERCH.
TRUNK-LINE PHONE CALLS ARE NOW POSSIBLE IN AK-MESCHIT.
ONE HUNDRED PER CENT PREPAREDNESS.
ONE MORE MOSQUE CAME INTO BEING.
BOOKS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS.
THE CRIMEA: THE FIGHT BETWEEN AND UNITY OF CIVILIZATIONS"
COMPLETE AGREEMENT IS AN ATTAINABLE IDEAL.
A TERRITORY FOR A dialogue of civilizations"
POLITICS.
A picket near Russia's Black Sea naval headquarters
The
Crimean Tatars set up a picket near Russia's Black Sea naval headquarters in
Sevastopol on 15 October 1999. It was organized by the Sevastopol regional
Mejlis. "Stop the war in Chechnya!" was the slogan of the action. The picket
participants blame the Russian soldiers for crimes committed in the Chechen
Republic. Compatriots from Bakhchisaray and Simferopol joined locals. The picket
participants adopted a resolution addressed to the government of Russia. After
the picket all the participants went to the mosque where they said prayers
honoring those who have perished in Chechnya.
(TV
program "Haberler" (News), The Crimean Tatar editorial staff, State TV/Radio
company "The Crimea".)
The
Mejlis chairman, Mustafa Djemilev, met the Turkish ambassador to Ukraine, Alp
Karaosmanoglu, on 13 October. They discussed the results of the recent Kurultay
and the Turkish perspective on their assistance in solving the social problems
of the Crimean Tatars. The Mejlis chairman presented a set of the documents
adopted at the Kurultay on 1-3 October to the ambassador.
* * *
The
Chairman of the Mejlis, Mustafa Djemilev, together with representatives of
Chechen Diaspora in Ukraine and some Ukrainian legal-defenders held a press conference dealing with the ongoing
bombardment of Chechen territory by the Russian Air Force. Both the declaration adopted by the second
session of the Third Kurultay, concerning the terrorist policy of Russia in the
Caucasus, and an address to the President of Chechnya (Aslan Maskhadov)
prepared by the Ukrainian legal-defenders, were presented at the press
conference.
* * *
The
national deputies of Ukraine, the chairman of Mejlis and his assistant
(R.Chubarov), took part in the picketing of the Russian Embassy and protested
Russia's cruel policy in the Caucasus. About one hundred and fifty people
participated in the picket organized by the Ukrainian legal-defenders and the
Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.
* * *
Results
of the second session of the Third Kurultay were discussed at the Mejlis
sitting on 16 October. Groups were formed to organize activities to commemorate
the 500th anniversary of the "Zingirly Medrese" (the famous Crimean university
which was closed by the communist regime) in 2000 and the 150th anniversary of
the prominent Crimean Tatar instructor
Ismail-Bey Gasprinsky in 2001.
(Mejlis
press service, "The Voice of The Crimea", No. 43 (310), 29 October 1999, p.1).
A
member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Community (PAEC), Lord
Ponsonby, recently visited Evpatorya, together with A.Rakhovsky, the deputy of
the Ukrainian Parliament responsible for the Evpatorya electoral district (also
a member of the PAEC). The main goal of the visit was to learn the problems of
the Crimean Tatars in the cities of Evpatorya and Saki, and in the Saki
district more generally. A report is to be prepared for the PAEC session. Lord
Ponsonby had several meetings with local administration in Evpatorya, Saki and
the Saki district. He also met with the leaders of the Mejlis and visited the
village of Ismail-Bey. The Committee of
Refugee Migration and Demography was presented with a report prepared by the
Lord Ponsonby and the national deputy, A.Rakhovsky, resulting from both their
visit to the Crimean Peninsula and meetings held in Kiev and Simferopol. The
committee approved their work and decided to prepare a report "The repatriation
and migration of the Crimean Tatars" for the next session of the PAEC.
(Nuri
Halilov, "The Voice of the Crimea" No. 43 (310), 22 October 1999, p.1).
THE
CRIMEAN CABINET discussing the problems of deported nations.
The
leader of the Crimean government, Sergey Kunitsyn, having emerged from a
sitting of his Cabinet, discussed the measures taken to solve the problems of the deported nations. 1,260,000
grivnas from the Crimean budget in 1999 was used for the accommodation of
repatriated persons. (4.65 grivnas equals $1US). 6,015,000 grivnas from the
central government's (i.e. Kiev's) budget was also directed towards this purpose.
A majority of this (3,140,000 grivnas) was used for construction. This allowed
for the settlement of all debts owed to firms for work carried out in 1998 and
for the complete electrification of ten villages, along with the laying of
water pipes in three villages densely inhabited by Crimean Tatars. Acting on the proposal of the Ministry, the
Parliament of the Autonomous Republic adopted a program of housing and
socio-cultural development for the year 2000. The Crimean government plans to
use 10 million grivnas from its budget for construction and socio-cultural
programs. In the finalized minutes the high profile ministries and departments
were given an order to restructure the electricity debts in the villages where
Crimean Tatars live in large numbers. The present debt amounts to 40 million
grivnas. The finalized minutes include a project for (providing) credit on favorable
terms, aimed at the creation of additional employment in villages of
dense (settler) inhabitation. They also included a project for creating a
network of secondary schools. Ukraine intends to continue to work with
international organizations, attracting (where possible) donor assistance. Two million grivnas assigned by the Cabinet
last week will allow for the electrification of 10 villages and provide water
to 20 villages of repatriated persons. The leader of the government intends to
visit Saki where a multi-story building was recently finished and is now ready
to shelter homeless Crimean Tatars.
(Press
service of the Crimean Ministry, "The Crimean newspaper' No. 196 (15810), 23
October 1999)
* * *
Sergey
Kunitsyn reported just before the Parliamentary hearing that this was the first
hearing of such a kind (on such questions). He continued by saying that the
government foresees financing from the state budget of not be less than 20
million grivnas, with 11.5 grivnas being from the Crimean budget. He noted that
the labor and social defense minister has been assigned the project of using
definite sum of money from the Employment Fund in order to create additional
employment in places where persons of deported nationalities live in large
numbers.
(TV-Program
"12 minutes of news", State TV-Radio Company "The Crimea")
A TRANSPORT CORRIDOR PASSES THROUGH KERCH.
With
the beginning of the 21st century, the aim of creating new transport corridors
in Ukraine, joining its western boarders with its eastern ones, and of
developing free economic zones necessitates the construction of a huge auto
terminal on the Kerch coast. This construction will resemble a very large
concrete square with hangars for cars in transit, roads, goods depositories,
filter plants and a service-center. The service-center will consist of cafes,
pubs and a mini-hotel. It will also handle the ferry crossing with frontier,
customs, ecology and other services. If the terminal is built, and the
transport corridor begins to function, the transport route will be reduced by
700 kilometers and there will naturally be a consequent reduction in transport
costs. The initiators of the idea expect that the result will be an increasing
the cargo flow and a decrease in transport expenses. This would be very
positive for the economy of Kerch and the district as a whole. The local
government has allotted 3 hectares of land for construction. The project
documents, which will be finalized by 2000, are being prepared at the present
time.
(Pavel
Golovanov, "The Crimean Times"), No. 199 (820), 23 October 1999, p.2).
TRUNK-LINE
PHONE CALLS ARE NOW POSSIBLE IN AK-MESCHIT.
Another
trunk-line station began working in a district of Simferopol , Ak-Meschit,
where Crimean Tatars live in significant numbers The station is always crowded
and full of clients. Four new cabins have been made available. The station is
very well located and is equipped with a facsimile service. "Krymtel" plans to
provide telephones to the whole Ak-Meschit district.
(Ivan
Dyakov, "The Crimean Truth", No. 196(22368), 23 October 1999, p.1)
ONE
HUNDRED PER CENT PREPAREDNESS.
The
Djankoy-Pheodosiya-Kerch natural gas line has now reached the very western part
of the Crimean peninsula. The assembly of special equipment for the supply of
gas to dwellings will be completed soon. At the same time, consumers are being
contacted and their gas equipment is being
completely reconstructed. All the houses in the network will be supplied
with gas by the end of October. The gas line is being utilized along its entire
length.
ONE
MORE MOSQUE CAME INTO BEING.
A
new mosque was solemnly opened in the village Kalambar (Prudovoye), in the
district of Simferopol, on 15 October. (Local) Moslems began building the
mosque using their own money in 1993, but due to the economic recession in
Ukraine building was stopped. Eventually, in 1998, building was recommenced thanks to the ÓUnityÔ fund and ÓArraidÔ
organization from Saudi Arabia. Local volunteers helped to speed up the
process. Villagers, representatives of
the Crimean Mufti and construction sponsors took part in the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony a Friday Islamic ritual prayer was performed.
BOOKS
ARE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS.
The
Crimean Tatar Research and Instruction Center has prepared a methodical
instruction program using modern instruction techniques in primary classes at
national schools. Eight methodical textbooks have been issued, including "The
Native Language" for the first forms and "Mathematics" for forms 1-3. The
textbooks were presented to the Crimean Tatar national school No. 5 in
Bakhchisaray.
("Kirim",
No. 43 (540), 23 October 1999, p.8)
THE
CRIMEA: THE FIGHT BETWEEN AND UNITY OF CIVILIZATIONS"
The
second session of the Third Kurultay and the "round table": "The Crimean
Government and the Mejlis: is dialogue possible". These meetings provided the
impetus for discussion of problems which have been dropping out of public view
in Ukraine.
THE
AUTONOMOUS FORM Ö AS THE AGREEMENT OF THREE SIDES.
The
most "frightening" element in the program of the Crimean Tatar national
movement is its final goal, that of creating a Crimean Tatar national state on
the land where the nation formed and has developed. At first glance the
situation appears to present a threat to stability in the country (of Ukraine)
and to the welfare of other nationalities. Actually, this threat would
materialize only in the case of prolonged neglect in solving the Nation's
problems, and of the government ignoring its (the Nation's) rights and
interests. This would lead to an intensification of protests and demands. It
would also strain the national movement, which has declared its intentions to
use non-violent methods of struggle. In such circumstances the movement would
be compelled to change its ideology. On the other hand, the apparent threat can
be sorted out through successful dialogue between the Crimean Tatars and the government.
It now seems that both sides have understood that stability in the Crimea,
which is acknowledged as an indisputable achievement and an absolute value, has
a price (both for the government and the Crimean Tatars). Both sides understand
that they will have to sacrifice something essential in order to preserve
social peace and welfare. Which side must make the (first) sacrifice and what
do they have to sacrifice" Has anyone already sacrificed anything"
The
Crimean Tatars have obviously postponed their demand of material compensation
for lost possessions from the deportation for an indefinite period. One would
likely agree that such demands are legally well founded, the deportees having
been thrown off their native land and the Soviet State not even having taken
care to formally legalize its actions. There was no law adopted confirming the
confiscation of houses and other
possessions, which belonged to Crimean Tatars before 18 May 1944. And
even if the damage caused by the deportation is now known with certainty, it
will probably take a great deal of time
until the total value of help received by the nation from the State equals the
amount of damage caused in 1944. If the nation is well accommodated, if it is
properly integrated into the economic, political and socio-cultural system, the
compensation issue will lose its currency.
The government needs also to understand that the price of stability in
the Crimea from its perspective includes taking into consideration and solving
the present problems of the (Crimean
Tatar) Nation. The fact that the government's different branches have
different opinions concerning this problem is yet another issue. The budget has
money for housing and for new national schools (even if this requires a lot of
money). Five and a half per cent of the Crimean Government's workforce are
Crimean Tatars, despite the fact that they make up 12 per cent of the whole
Crimean population. The creation of the Crimean Tatars Consultative Counsel,
which includes the President of
Ukraine, is a form of recognition for the Mejlis, as the highest national
representative body. But, put quite frankly, not all Crimean Tatars share the same opinion. From another
perspective, not all the government representatives approve of this President's
action. Above all it is distressing to the Parliament of the Crimea, which is
elected by the people of the Crimea and does not recognize the Mejlis, which is
elected by the Crimean Tatar Nation. It has created, in distinction, the
Counsel of the Crimean Tatars "Aksakals", which still has not been recognized
(by Crimean Tatars). Refat Chubarov has
stated that he thinks Leonid Grach has made a mistake in doing this as it has
the potential to destabilize the political situation. Crimean Tatars do not
consider the National Counsel with the President to be ideal because its
members are appointed by the President instead of being elected by the (Crimean
Tatar) Nation. This leaves open the possibility of the President appointing and
removing members from one day to the next according to his predilection. The
reality of the situation is, however, that the government and Mejlis have
learnt how to work together. The main
result of "Government-Mejlis" dialogue, as Refat Chubarov states, needs to be a
form of Crimean Tatar autonomy, consented to by all three sides: the Crimean
Tatars, the Ukrainian State and the local population of the Crimea. Only such a
three-sided agreement can guarantee stability for the country. However, the
form (of such an arrangement) has not even been discussed yet, and given the
pace of the dialogue to date, such a discussion will not occur soon.
Disagreements within both the Crimean Tatar movement and the Government are the
main reason for such a slow rate of progress in the dialogue.
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT IS AN ATTAINABLE IDEAL.
There
are currently no grounds for believing that the territory of the Crimea will
somehow be transformed into a nation belonging to the Crimean Tatars. On the
other hand there are no fundamental obstacles to the slow development of more
appropriate circumstances through the agreement of the three sides referred to.
It is too early to say that both branches of the Ukrainian Government will
agree on a common means of solving the Crimean Tatar issue. While the
legislative arm ignores the question, the Mejlis is in discussion with the
executive arm.
The
disagreements within the Crimean Tatar movement must be discussed and resolved.
The main one of these is the questions of leadership and national democratic
forms. The "Millet" movement has separated from the Mejlis because it accused
Mustafa Djemilev of being authoritarian Ö the Kurultay dropped democratic
demands to limit the Mejlis chairman's right to stand for election for more
than two consecutive terms. Mustafa has begun his third term. On one hand it
cannot be ignored that Mustafa remains the recognized national leader and that
he has weakened internal national opposition; however, on the other hand, it
should be remembered that the forming of new political groups within the nation
is a perfectly normal process.
The
Kurultay decided to recommend to its compatriots that they vote for Gennadiy
Udovenko at the up-coming Presidential elections. The "Millet" movement will
probably recommend a vote for Leonid Kuchma. It is, then, up to 160,000 Crimean
Tatars to decide for whom to vote. Moreover, it is possible to envisage that in
the second round of the elections, both sides will recommend a vote for the
same candidate since neither of them desires a vote for the left-wing parties.
The
International Congress of the Crimean Tatars is planned for 2000 and the
majority of people are in no doubt that the leader of the Congress will be
Mustafa Djemilev. There is also almost no uncertainty surrounding the fact that
the common programs of both factions will induce them to participate together.
A
TERRITORY FOR A dialogue of civilizations"
It
is thought that the 21st century will be the century of dialogue between "civilizations". It is noteworthy that within Ukraine the Slavic and Turkic
(cultures), in other words Christian and Moslem world civilizations, meet in
the Crimea. For this reason it is clear that with the turn of the millennium
the Crimea will have a new status - it will be the territory of dialogue
between civilizations. There are two possible variants in such cases: either
one resembling Chechnya (God forbid) or that seen in Ukraine (thank God). The
leader of the Crimean National Strategy Research Institute has stated that the
situation in the Crimea is developing "from worse to better". While the
participants in national protest actions in 1993 made up 13.7 per cent of the
total Crimean population, by 1994 (one year later) their numbers had decreased
to 8.8 per cent. The number of people witnessing such events decreased from
45.8 per cent to 19.6 per cent. The number of people who do not identify with
such protests increased from 36.5 per cent to 68.4 per cent. Scientists believe
that the dynamic producing these trends remains and will possibly survive into
the 21st century. There are almost no religious disagreements on the peninsula,
on the contrary an Inter-religious Council "Peace and God's Gift" was created.
Eight religious organizations take part in this body, of which the Moslem Mufti
and the Christian Bishop have been elected co-chairmen.
(Nikolai
Semenov, "The Week Mirror", No. 41 (262), 16 October 1999).