Members of Syrian Circassians' community come to Kabardino-Balkaria

Three representatives of the Circassian community of Syria arrived to Kabardino-Balkaria. Yesterday, on January 31, they met journalists at the office of the International Circassian Association.

According to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, the guests' names are not mentioned for reasons of safety. In the past, all three persons used to be top-ranking officials, and at present they are pensioners. The guests talked about the situation in Syria and the position of the Circassians living in the country.

According to the guests' story, the number of Circassians, who wish to leave Syria, constantly increases; people are afraid of the future.

According to the delegates, the total number of people who wish to return exceeds one thousand; however, since in some cities armed clashes occur, the state institutions do not work and people cannot obtain foreign passports. "We highly appreciated the position of Russia in the UN in discussing the Syrian issue. The position is objective and is based on justice, aimed at avoiding turning Syria into Iraq or Libya," one of the delegates said.

According to the speakers, at present, all hopes of the Circassian community of Syria are directed to Russia. Those hopes were strengthened after meeting of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Arsen Kanokov, the leader of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), during which the Russian President said that Russia should help the Circassians of Syria.

According to the delegates, the Circassian community of Syria includes more than 100,000 persons: it includes Karachays, Chechens, and Ossetians; however, major part of the community consists of Circassians. "At the moment of our leaving, about 1000 persons expressed their firm desire to return to the land of their ancestors. Many people fluctuate. They are stopped by understanding that they would have to leave their houses and all their property, since it is impossible to sell anything right now," the delegates said.

Arsen Kanokov, the leader of the KBR, met the envoys. He met them "warmly" and promised "support and assistance". Earlier, the guests also visited the Republic of Adygea, and after their visit to the KBR they are going to visit the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR).

"If Russia does not hold out a helping hand to compatriots in a difficult position, hundreds of innocent people can die," Mukhamed Khafitse, Vice President of the International Circassian Association (ICA), has stated and emphasized that all options of assistance should be provided, including such assistances as preservation of dual citizenship, so that people could then get compensations for their houses, cars and property, which they would have to leave.

Beslan Khagazhei, the member of the working group to facilitate repatriation under the Government of the KBR, said that the working group proposed to create a centre for adaptation of compatriots and to allocate one of the empty sanatoriums of Nalchik for that purpose.

Beslan Khagazhei has also reported that Turkey is ready to receive the Circassians of Syria and to grant them citizenships; however, there is a condition that they should register themselves as Turks. "The USA, Canada, and even Georgia offered to receive them. However, they want to return to their homeland," he has emphasized. "I do not exclude the possibility that some people will look not for homeland, but for their convenience, and they will accept such offers; however, our task is to help those people, who want to come back here."

Beslan Khagazhei has reported that on February 8, the regular meeting of the working group to discuss specific steps will be held.