Kumekhov: Circassian issue should be solved inside Russia

The Adyg public organizations of Kabardino-Balkaria see the conference held in Tbilisi as an intervention into Russia's home affairs and an attempt to use the tragedy of the Adyg nation as a tool of political pressure on the Russian Federation. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Zhelyabi Kumekhov, Chairman of the Coordination Board of the Adyg Public Organizations of Kabardino-Balkaria.

"The problem of the Adyg people should be addressed within the bounds of the Russian legislation, which should be improved and provide chances to compatriots to return to their historical homeland," Mr Kumekhov has emphasized.

He has added that the Coordination Board of the Adyg Public Organizations and the International Circassian Association are drafting a special statement about the recent conference and adopted appeals to the authorities of Georgia.

Ibragim Yaganov, chairman of the public organization "Khasse", believes that "the problem of the Circassian people exists, and it should be considered." "I regret that the conference was held not in Russia," he noted and added that he cannot go to Georgia.

"Unless Georgia recognizes Abkhazia's sovereignty, we can't do anything in its territory," Mr Yaganov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his opinion, the Circassian issue should be resolved inside Russia but if it is not addressed inside Russia, then, it can be discussed at the international level. Moreover, Circassians live in many countries of the world.

At the same time, the press service of the Public Movement (PM) "Khasse" made a statement that "recently some media... have disseminated information that the head of the PM 'Khasse' Ibragim Yaganov had refused to go to the Tbilisi conference; and this was treated as a non-support by the 'Khasse' of recognition of Circassians' genocide."

"The PM 'Khasse' supports the outcomes of the international conference that took place in Tbilisi on March 19-21 and was dedicated to recognition of Circassians' genocide and will welcome such recognition by any country," runs the statement.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported earlier that a proposal was voiced at the Extraordinary Congress of Circassian People in Karachai-Circassia on November 23, 2008, has sounded "to ask the federal centre to unite all the Caucasian Circassians into one republic - a part of Russia." It was moved by delegates from the Congress of Circassian Youth of Northern Caucasus.

On November 26, 2009, Karachai-Circassia hosted a forum-rally of Circassian youth, where participants spoke about self-determination and restoration of the Circassian Autonomous Region as a republic within the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, not all the Adyg organizations have the same view on the problem. Thus, earlier the "Adyge Khasse" of Kabardino-Balkaria made a statement that Adygs are quite happy with the form of their existence in modern Russia - in three independent and equal subjects of the Russian Federation - Adygea, Karachai-Circassia and Kabardino-Balkaria; therefore, any unification into one republic is out of question.