http://natpress.net/ ru Diaspora - ÍàòÏðåññ - Èíôîðìàöèîííîå àãåíòñòâî http://natpress.net/yandexlogo.gif http://natpress.net/ DataLife Engine http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8446 To the president of Russian Federation Medvedev Dmitry Anatolevich Dear Dmitry Anatolevich, We address to you as to the guarantor of the rights of the peoples of Russia, including representatives of indigenous Russian ethnoses, by virtue of various tragical circumstances living outside Russia. We are extremely concerned about the destiny of Circassian Diaspora in Syrian Arabian Republic where now there is a bloody civil war and actually a real humanitarian catastrophe is shortly possible. Circassian settlements near Homs city have been undergone to artillery bombardment from the oppositional forces. In them there are significant human victims; majority of houses was destroyed, the oil pipeline running nearby was blown up, as a result of that the vicinity became unsuitable for living. A column of Circassian refugees from Homs moves to Damascus searching rescue. Those who remained at their places are exposed to attacks and threats from various militarized groups. Diaspora zara Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:12:19 +0400 To the president of Russian Federation Medvedev Dmitry Anatolevich Dear Dmitry Anatolevich, We address to you as to the guarantor of the rights of the peoples of Russia, including representatives of indigenous Russian ethnoses, by virtue of various tragical circumstances living outside Russia. We are extremely concerned about the destiny of Circassian Diaspora in Syrian Arabian Republic where now there is a bloody civil war and actually a real humanitarian catastrophe is shortly possible. Circassian settlements near Homs city have been undergone to artillery bombardment from the oppositional forces. In them there are significant human victims; majority of houses was destroyed, the oil pipeline running nearby was blown up, as a result of that the vicinity became unsuitable for living. A column of Circassian refugees from Homs moves to Damascus searching rescue. Those who remained at their places are exposed to attacks and threats from various militarized groups. Besides the common problems for the whole population of Syria our compatriots-Circassians have also special difficulties connected with that they are a national minority and, accordingly, are more vulnerable during any internal conflicts. Already now practically into all Circassians’ houses of Syria leaflets with requirement to stand on the party of the insurgents had been thrown and to join the armed struggle against the legitimate authority. For greater effect emissaries of the insurgents visited Circassian settlements and explained to the inhabitants that if Circassians did not support them (insurgents’) in the near future when they won, all the Circassians of Syria would be physically exterminated within a day. They impudently and cynically on eyes of inhabitants divided the houses and the other buildings which they were going to appropriate after liquidation of Circassians. Not waiting the coming nearer fast bloody outcome, the Syrian Circassians ask to launch immediately the process of their repatriation. From January, 23rd till February, 12th, 2012 Russia had been visited by a delegation of the Syrian Circassians which met the Head of Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the head of the government of Karachaevo-Circassia, members of the Government of Adygeya Republic, the leadership of the international, all-Russian and the regional public associations, and handled the lists with more than 600 persons wishing to move into Russia on the permanent residence with concrete nameplate data, the instruction of trades, among which the majority appeared to be highly skilled workers: engineers, teachers, doctors, businessmen. The firm intention of those Circassians to move into Russia, on their historical Native land was stated by the arrived representatives at each meeting spent within almost a month and received favorable enough response from the authorities of those republics and hot support of the public. Arrival of the Syrian Circassians, on our deep belief, would become not a burden and on the contrary a source of the long-term social charges, and the blessing for the federative subjects accepting them. These people possess the demanded trades, have money which they wish to invest into Russia, they have big and strong families, there is no language barrier with representatives of the title nationalities of KBR, KCR and Adygeya, they’ve got high adaptive abilities and a huge diligence. From their part, the authorities of the above-stated republics prepared the premises meeting the requirements to the centers of refugees’ time accommodation, and had mobilized the employees having the operational experience with the refugees. Actually, at the moment there is the need for the political will to accept our compatriots from Syria, having shown them and the whole world true humanism, nobleness and force of Russia. This question was discussed at the session of Presidium of "Russian congress of Caucasian peoples" and was completely supported. All the peoples of Russia, in particular Northern Caucasus, watch closely the destiny of the compatriots in Syria expecting from the leadership of Russia concrete steps for their support, not at their will appeared in the another's country in a flame of the civil war. The co-chairman of the All-Russian social movement "Russian congress of Caucasian peoples" Khuraj A.R. # 01-08/386 From 2/15/2012 http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8333 Escalation of confrontation in Syria is still on. Hundreds of Syrian Circassians had addressed to the president and the people of Russia with the request for their repatriation to the historical native land from which they had had been expelled 150 years ago. Syria And Russia Members of the initiative group of the Syrian Circassians who had addressed to the Russian administration with the request for repatriation arrived to Russia. They are going to meet with the heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia. The Syrian Circassians are in a mousetrap now. On the one hand, the state borders are closed; the people who had addressed to the Russian president with the request for repatriation are suffered from an unprecedented pressure from the official Syrian authorities. People are afraid to show openly their views, the repatriation lists were sent to Russia secretly. Diaspora zara Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:51:00 +0400 Escalation of confrontation in Syria is still on. Hundreds of Syrian Circassians had addressed to the president and the people of Russia with the request for their repatriation to the historical native land from which they had had been expelled 150 years ago. Syria And Russia Members of the initiative group of the Syrian Circassians who had addressed to the Russian administration with the request for repatriation arrived to Russia. They are going to meet with the heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia. The Syrian Circassians are in a mousetrap now. On the one hand, the state borders are closed; the people who had addressed to the Russian president with the request for repatriation are suffered from an unprecedented pressure from the official Syrian authorities. People are afraid to show openly their views, the repatriation lists were sent to Russia secretly. On the other hand, Circassian settlements in the area Homs town had been undergone to artillery bombardment from the oppositional forces. Among the Circassians there are significant human victims; the majority of their houses is destroyed; the oil pipeline running nearby, had been blown up, as a result of that vicinity became unsuitable for lining. People do not know where to go: at the moment a column of Circassian refugees from area of Homs town is moving to Damascus, searching for rescue. The remained on their place are under attacks and threats from the various militarized formations. Syria plunges into chaos - fights are conducted already in 20 km from the capital. Not waiting the coming nearer fast bloody outcome the Syrian Circassians asked to start the process of their repatriation immediately. The administration of the three Russian republics with the "title" Circassian population (Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia), numerous Circassian organizations from all over the world being concerned with the approaching humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, had already addressed to Moscow with official petitions concerning repatriation of the Syrian Circassians. The most glorified nowadays and well-known Russian Circassians - Jury Temirkanov, Michael Shemyakin, Vitaly Doguzhiev, Muradin Kumakhov and some others - had not yet joined the information campaign; but the Circassian world usually split by a set of contradictions, has already shown this time its exclusive unanimity and efficiency. The reports of the federal mass-media, estimations and comments sounded in connection with petitions of the Syrian Circassians to the president of Russian Federation, the Russian people and relatives on the native land, appeared to be unexpectedly constructive. But time goes by, people perish, and the decision is still not made. In Moscow there are necessary consultations, however the dialogue moves ahead too slowly. Informally Russian officials explain that sluggishness with one word - "elections". During the other time it certainly could be understood and accepted: eventually, Circassians - having waited for returning to the native land through six generations - can wait a little bit longer. But not now: the forthcoming full-scale ethnic cleaning threatens to tens thousand lives. In Syria, by different estimations, there are from 120 up to 170 thousand Circassians among whom during the last century there were strong repatriation moods. Only during 1950-80s thousand people addressed with petitions to the USSR – still unsuccessfully. Recent researches had shown: repatriation moods take place in about a quarter of the community, i.e. approximately 30-40 thousand people or 5-7 thousand families. People, whose ancestors repeatedly through last two centuries from a place on a place moved, during the Caucasian, the Russian-Turkish, the First and the Second World wars, as well as every possible Arab-Israeli wars, having appeared in the center of the next cataclysm caused by strangers to them now only wish one thing - to come back home. Territories of Resettlement and Integration Often they raise questions: "where to lodge them?" and "what will they be engaged in?" There is a sense to stop on them in detail. In republics of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia there are enough lands for accommodation of all the Syrian Circassians is universal, if there is such fantastic necessity. In them there are plane areas with population density considerably below 50 people in a cm. (and even considerably below 30 people in a cm) and thus located in of 40-minute transport availability radius from big cities. Only Adygeya for the last 15 years had accepted more than ten thousand Armenian and five thousand Kurdish immigrants, only according to the official data (expert estimations name considerably greater figures) - place was found for all of them. Will it be found for the Circassian compatriots coming back the native land, too? Practice shows that repatriates prefer to live in the Circassian environment so there is no language barrier. Therefore, speaking about repatriation, the question is exclusively about those administrative areas in which there are significant Circassian settlements - natural "adapters" between the immigrants and those who found again their lost native land. Besides in Adygeya for them there is a unique adaptable and integration center ready: aul of Circassian repatriates of 1990s from Kosovo - Mafehabl. Experience of Kosovan Circassians can appear to be invaluable for their Syrian compatriots. In the Western Caucasus (i.e. to the west of the meridian of the Military-Georgian road) up to three thousand repatriates-Circassians, a significant part just natives of Syria has been already living. The majority of them preferred Kabarda, in Adygeya they are less than a thousand, in Karachaevo-Circassia – very few. Practically all of them are engaged in business, nobody lives on grants, nobody became a criminal. They are people who generate money, instead of problems which is proved by 20 years of observing their lifestyle on the native land. Syria is the country with thousand-year mercantilist traditions and natives therefrom are able to make business. That is that fresh blood which is necessary for the economy of the region, as well as a thousand of strings between it and the Near-Eastern markets. Here the analogy with Huatsiao which became one of the main reasons of the Chinese economic miracle, is pertinent. But the question is not only about the sphere of services. One curious nuance: many Jewish settlers in Palestine of the beginning of the XX, being mostly townspeople, were learned agriculture by Circassian teachers. Their choice for that role was not casual: traditionally high agriculture of Circassians was considered as the most advanced in the Ottoman empire. Crops of Circassian Cuneitra on Golan Heights surpassed the crops of next German Sarona and Jewish Hedera. So the repatriates from Syria have something to learn the relatives working on the rich native land but lost some skills during the cataclysms of the XX century The majority of the Syrian Circassians at least are bilinguals knowing the Arabian and the Circassian languages. For them there is no special complexity to learn quickly one more language, in our case – the Russian. All Circassian repatriates living in the federation for today speak Russian. Pertinently to mention that Circassian language (Adyghkhabza) is the state in three republics of the Western Caucasus: Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia, i.e. there where territories for resettling are assumed. Risks At discussion of the humanitarian catastrophe to which the situation around of the Syrian Circassians is more and more similar, risks for the country accepting the immigrants usually remain unconsidered; in fact first of all the question is about the moral position of the state stretching the hand of help to compatriots whose life is threatened with danger. But many people in Russia can ask a question: what confessional, ethnic and situational circumstances are connected with repatriation of the Syrian Circassians? Repatriates arrive from the country with the ancient Muslim traditions so it does not cause in the Russian society a great enthusiasm. And absolutely vain. The Syrian Circassians can be the first class inoculation from any religious radicalism which in the 2000s became ‘fashionable’ in even recently absolute secular Circassian society of the Russian Western Caucasus, first of all in Kabarda. For the Syrian Circassians Islam is not something abstract-romantic, fashionable or protest. It is what they face every day, what they have grown in. Those who remember the USSR, know: between communism, as an ideal, and socialism, as a reality - a precipice exists. The charm of socialistic construction outside the USSR was the higher the lesser any Bolivian communists knew the real situation in "the Country of Soviets". Here is approximately the same situation. Rather eloquent fact which is not requiring additional comments: Circassians, and first of all general Ualid of Abaza, being a native brother of the vice-president of the International Circassian Association Sharaf Abaza, have brought in 1980s an outstanding contribution to the rout of the oldest in Syria Muslim terrorist grouping "Brothers-Muslims". As a result, to 1985, "Brothers-Muslims" completely stopped the activities in the country, and their rests in it surrendered to authorities. Caucasus for a long time is also steadily connected in the Russian mass consciousness with the interethnic pressure. Fears for "strengthening of the Circassian factor" are expressed in that connection. Here it is possible to tell with confidence that the doubts of such kind are caused by little knowledge of the society: even if all the Syrian Circassians moved to the Western Caucasus, it practically would not affect in any way the ethnic balance of the region which population is estimated absolutely in the other figures. Besides in Western Caucasus the Circassian factor traditionally works for increase of the level of the regional safety, favourable to all who lives there, without any dependence on the ethnic origin. And the reason for that is the hope of Circassians for repatriation. Repatriation is a core of the modern Circassian idea. It is obvious that mass repatriation is impossible, as far as in the territories of resettling there are no guarantees for property, there are no education systems adequate to the modern epoch, public health services and legal proceedings, but still there is an arbitrariness of the authorities, poverty and threat of conflicts. Moreover - such region will be abandoned even by those who were born and had grown there. That is not the script which is equitable to the Circassian interests. Therefore peace, prosperity and the law and order in the region are the priorities of the Circassian national movement, operating constantly in the legal ways. During the whole 1990s which were the most difficult for Russia in Caucasus, Circassian nationalists consistently kept their loyalty to Moscow, playing the stabilizing role in the region being torn apart by uncountable conflicts. In one of the three republics with the "title" Circassian population there was not and there are no interethnic conflicts, despite of the obvious preconditions. Marginalization of Circassian nationalists of the end of 1990s led to severe growth of the Islamic radicalism which no more facing any opposing in the ideological floor that had been cleaned up out by the authorities. Results of such policy all of us have an opportunity to see in Kabarda during the last years. And the last ("last but not least") that can be in the focus of attention in Russia deciding to open the borders for repatriation of the Syrian Circassians: In case of positive development of the situation Moscow will absolutely neutralize all the reputational "Circassian risks" connected with the Olympiad of Sochi-2014, and they, till nowadays, remain extremely serious. Anybody in the Circassian national movement after so eloquent gesture of Russia cannot and will not want to support anti-Olympic protests - for the obvious reasons. Instead of Conclusion "I do not wish to come back to the service. I do not want my family and me to find between the two fires - between the contradicting parties. I am 54, I had worked for 30 years in this system, and I know what they will demand from me. But I do not wish to kill people. Therefore I have decided to leave... I wish to begin everything anew. In Russia there is my native land - Adygeya. I just wish to get there, having found my refuge, or in any other way". Andzor Kabard. On the photo (the author: Ahmed Dzhalla): streets of Homs town. http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8332 The international Circassian association (ICA) had sent letters to the heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia with a request to consider the opportunity of organization of places in the territory of republics for the time residing of repatriates from Syria. According to the vice-president of the ICA Mugdin Chermit, the State Duma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation are studying the sent by Adygeya parliament’s official address to the authorities of the country with the request to assist in voluntary resettlement of Circassians of Syria to Russia. Diaspora zara Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:49:00 +0400 The international Circassian association (ICA) had sent letters to the heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia with a request to consider the opportunity of organization of places in the territory of republics for the time residing of repatriates from Syria. According to the vice-president of the ICA Mugdin Chermit, the State Duma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation are studying the sent by Adygeya parliament’s official address to the authorities of the country with the request to assist in voluntary resettlement of Circassians of Syria to Russia. Let’s remind, on December, 25th, 2011 115 representatives of Circassian people living in Syria, had submitted a petition to the president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the head of Adygeya Aslan Tkhakushinov, the State Soviet-Khase, the social movement "Adyghe Khasa" and to the people of Adygeya "with an appeal to offer the helping hand and rescue them from inevitable tragedy". On December, 28th another 57 Syrian Circassians addressed to the leadership of Russian Federation and the authorities of Adygeya with the request to assist in their resettlement to Russia. On January, 3rd information about a new petition of 76 Circassians of Syria with the request to accept them on the historical native land also appeared. In the petitions of the ICA the president of that organization Kanshoubi Azhahov asked the leadership of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia to address to the federal authorities with the offer to form a governmental commission with participation of representatives of the three named republics on studying the position of Circassian Diaspora in Syria and questions connected with repatriation of the Syrian Circassians. Besides that Azhahov asked heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia "to fasten up the activities of the republican governmental commissions on affairs of compatriots abroad and the other state structures on rendering assistance to the Syrian Circassians who had expressed their desire to return home". Also he addressed to the heads of Karachaevo-Circassia and Kabardino-Balkaria to consider an opportunity of creation of repatriates adaptation centers. In Adygeya such center operates since 1998. As the deputy of the State Soviet-Khase of Adygeya Republic, the vice-president of the International Circassian association Mugdin Chermit informed the correspondent of "Caucasian Uzel", the State Duma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation is now studying the petition of the parliament of Adygeya Republic with the request to assist in voluntary resettlement of Circassians of Syria to Russian Federation which had been sent in the end of December, 2011. "Now the letter of Adygeya parliament to the leadership of Russian Federation with the request to assist in repatriation of Circassians of Syria is being studied by the committee of the State Duma of Russian Federation on the CIS affairs and communications with compatriots. Then they will decide, whether it will be necessary to bring that question for discussion. I am in constant contact to the representatives of that committee. Also the question on resettlement of the Syrian Circassians to Russia is being analyzed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation", Mugdin Chermit told. Earlier the source close to the Adygeya governmental circles, had informed the correspondent of "Caucasian Uzel", that on January, 24th two representatives of the Circassian community of Syria arrived to Maykop. Heads of Circassian public organizations of Adygeya confirmed that information, having added that on January, 25th another representative of Circassian people living in Syria arrived. The representatives of the Circassian community of Syria who arrived to Russia, are included into the initiative group of the Syrian Circassians who had addressed to the administration of Russia with the request for their resettlement. They had been going to meet with the heads of Adygeya, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Circassia for discussion of the questions of repatriation of Circassians from Syria. Let’s note, that in Maykop preparations for a congress of the Circassian people of Adygeya Republic, planned for February, 11th, are on; the main agenda of that forum should become the position of Circassians of Syria and measures of helping them in connection with the aggravated situation in the Arab country. In Nalchik the working group on assistance to repatriation of Circassians from Syria within the limits of the governmental commission on development of communications with compatriots living abroad is also created. And in Karachaevo-Circassia the commission concerning repatriation of Circassians from Syria was created by Circassian public organizations. The legal expert organization "Human Rights Watch" had devoted the situation in Syria its report "No Regret to Cartridges! The Individual and Command Responsibility for Crimes against Humanity in Syria". In the report they stated that as a result of anti-governmental protests in Syria, begun in March, 2011, thousands people were lost, and the quantity of the arrested persons is so great that stadiums, schools, cellars of official buildings are used as jails. kavkaz-uzel.ru http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8238 Resolution of the housing question for several families of Adygs which had come back from Kosovo, became the subject of the recent meeting of the head of Adygeya Republic Aslan Tkhakushinov with the chief of the of Repatriates adaptation center Askhad Guchetl. Diaspora zara Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:11:04 +0400 Resolution of the housing question for several families of Adygs which had come back from Kosovo, became the subject of the recent meeting of the head of Adygeya Republic Aslan Tkhakushinov with the chief of the of Repatriates adaptation center Askhad Guchetl. After returning to the historical native land the families of repatriates were been given free premise of a former kindergarten. Today the building constructed in 1963, requires a major overhaul, and besides that establishment must be returned into the preschool education system. As the head of the republic declared for resolution of the housing question it would be necessary to consider all the possible variants – beginning with resettlement in one of hostels of the Maykop secondary schools and finishing with construction of new houses. “I shall make a decision which will suit all the parties: both the repatriates, and the children who today cannot be arranged to kindergarten in our town, the leader of the republic noted. IÀ NatPress (STRC of Adygeya) http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8214 Dear Mr. President Bashar al-Assad! I observe with a deep concern the situation taking place today in Syrian Republic. Your country, in which tens of thousands of our countrymen united in the Circassian diaspora, had found their shelter, is experiencing trully troubled times now. Concerns that Circassian diaspora may be the most vulnerable among the population of Syrian Republic, also appear. Already there are reports that among the victims of the events taking place in Syria, there were representatives of the local Circassian diaspora. For over a hundred years our people faithfully served Syrian Republic, its people, actively participated in the creation of the armed forces of Syria, defending its borders from the enemies, making a great contribution to the national economy. Many Circassians became doctors, lawyers, economists and active participants in the business sphere, were and still are the law-abiding citizens of your country. Diaspora zara Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:26:17 +0400 Dear Mr. President Bashar al-Assad! I observe with a deep concern the situation taking place today in Syrian Republic. Your country, in which tens of thousands of our countrymen united in the Circassian diaspora, had found their shelter, is experiencing trully troubled times now. Concerns that Circassian diaspora may be the most vulnerable among the population of Syrian Republic, also appear. Already there are reports that among the victims of the events taking place in Syria, there were representatives of the local Circassian diaspora. For over a hundred years our people faithfully served Syrian Republic, its people, actively participated in the creation of the armed forces of Syria, defending its borders from the enemies, making a great contribution to the national economy. Many Circassians became doctors, lawyers, economists and active participants in the business sphere, were and still are the law-abiding citizens of your country. As the citizens of Syrian Republic, Circassians, however, have not lost the memory about their origin, preserved their language, customs and traditions, clearly identifying themselves as Circassians. At the historic homeland - Adygeya Republic, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia – they watch with pain and anxiety the growing tensions in the Republic of Syria. The leadership of Adygeya Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia had adopted statements about their willingness, if necessary, to take onto the historic homeland the countrymen from Republic of Syria. The World Congress of the Abkhaz-Abaza people, the other Circassian public organizations are holding the current events in Syria under the constant control, receiving information from different sources. I ask you, Mr. President, to do everything you can in order to protect our fellow citizens in your country, to prevent the tragedy in relation to the Circassians, who, in their tragic history had already survived a terrible tragedy that led to the exile of a great number of people from outside their home country. With all respect to you and to the whole people of Syria, a part of which today our countrymen are, Coordinator of the International human rights movement, Adviser of the President of the World Congress of the Abkhaz-Abaza people Beslan Kobakhia http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8194 To the President of Russian Federation D.A.Medvedev Dear Mister President Dmitry Anatolevich Medvedev and the Great People of Russia! We would like to congratulate you on the holiday of Christmas and to wish you and the Great Russian People Peace and Prosperity. Let the New Year will bring you well-being and happiness. Recently, the government of Russian Federation had got the appeal from our compatriots abroad, aboriginals of Northern Caucasus (Circassian (Adygeyan) community) living on the territory of Syria. That is extremely troubling us as their request is vital and urgent. We would like to focus your attention on that the appeal of the Syrian Circassians (Adygs) was addressed to the indigenous historical native land, instead of any friendly country with Circassian (Adygeyan) Diaspora. It shows their sincerity and their great love to the primordial Native land. That is a proof of that they will be worthy citizens of Russian Federation. Diaspora zara Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:13:47 +0400 To the President of Russian Federation D.A.Medvedev Dear Mister President Dmitry Anatolevich Medvedev and the Great People of Russia! We would like to congratulate you on the holiday of Christmas and to wish you and the Great Russian People Peace and Prosperity. Let the New Year will bring you well-being and happiness. Recently, the government of Russian Federation had got the appeal from our compatriots abroad, aboriginals of Northern Caucasus (Circassian (Adygeyan) community) living on the territory of Syria. That is extremely troubling us as their request is vital and urgent. We would like to focus your attention on that the appeal of the Syrian Circassians (Adygs) was addressed to the indigenous historical native land, instead of any friendly country with Circassian (Adygeyan) Diaspora. It shows their sincerity and their great love to the primordial Native land. That is a proof of that they will be worthy citizens of Russian Federation. It would be pertinent for remembering that in Peter's I Decree # 7208 from 1699 “About Celebrating New Year” Russian ruler Peter I paid special dear attention to Circassian (Adygeyan) People. During this celebratory period we ask you to pay special, urgent attention in the spirit set by Peter the Great, to our brothers and sisters being in heavy and dangerous situation in Syria. Please consider urgently that issue and offer your helping hand to Adygeyan refugees. We shall petition to the Government of Australia for rendering assistance to the Government of Russian Federation in relation to achievement of these noble purposes. On behalf of the whole indigenous Circassian (Adygeyan) People and on behalf of Australian Circassian (Adygeyan) Diaspora we ask you to render urgent help to our brothers and sisters in Syria. Let God help you with that most noble affair. http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8171 Yesterday at the XI session of the supreme legislative body of the republican authorities the deputies adopted an address to President Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian State Duma, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, as well as to the heads of the two Northern Caucasian republics - Karachaevo-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria concerning facilitating of returning to the homeland of representatives of the Circassian Diaspora from Syria. The adoption of document became one of the main issues of the session of the State Soviet-Khase, in which the head of Adygeya Aslan Tkhakushinov participated. Recall that on the eve of his return from Moscow, where the head of the republic had a working visit, Aslan Tkhakushinov commented on his position on this actual issue to the media. Yesterday the deputies supported him. "In Syria, there is the second largest population (after Turkey) of the Circassian Diaspora, which is on the verge of physical destruction in conditions of a burning up full-scaled civil war. It is our duty to address to the federal authorities to assist the voluntary resettlement to Russian Federation of our compatriots, Circassians living in the Syrian Arab Republic," the deputy Mugdin Chermit said. Diaspora zara Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:58:10 +0400 Yesterday at the XI session of the supreme legislative body of the republican authorities the deputies adopted an address to President Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian State Duma, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, as well as to the heads of the two Northern Caucasian republics - Karachaevo-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria concerning facilitating of returning to the homeland of representatives of the Circassian Diaspora from Syria. The adoption of document became one of the main issues of the session of the State Soviet-Khase, in which the head of Adygeya Aslan Tkhakushinov participated. Recall that on the eve of his return from Moscow, where the head of the republic had a working visit, Aslan Tkhakushinov commented on his position on this actual issue to the media. Yesterday the deputies supported him. "In Syria, there is the second largest population (after Turkey) of the Circassian Diaspora, which is on the verge of physical destruction in conditions of a burning up full-scaled civil war. It is our duty to address to the federal authorities to assist the voluntary resettlement to Russian Federation of our compatriots, Circassians living in the Syrian Arab Republic," the deputy Mugdin Chermit said. “Now we are working out with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the issues related to the possible return of representatives of the Circassian Diaspora, we specify the number of the wanting to immigrate, we have consultations with the leaders of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Cherkessia. I think that this problem should be versatily studied and the steps we take should be well thought out and based on the experience accumulated during the resettlement Circassians from Republic of Kosovo,” Aslan Tkhakushinov said, having underlined that the repatriation could only be supported at the level of the federal government. A the session they also discussed some other issues. The deputies, in particular, adopted in two readings the bill "About Amendments to the Law of Adygeya Republic "About Republican Budget of Adygeya Republic in 2011 and the planning period of 2012 and 2013". That bill proposed to increase the amount of the revenue side of the republican budget for 1 billion 97.7 million rubles, the total amount of tax and nontax revenues of the republican budget remains unchanged having made 3 billion 905.2 million. "All these changes are conncted with unpaid federal revenues to the republican budget,” the RA Minister of Finance Dovletby Dolev said, sounding the estimated for changing in the expenditure part of the republican budget. As a result of those changes the part of the republican budget expenditures increased with 889.4 million rubles, and the republican budget deficit deduced in 855.6 million rubles. "The amount of deficit reduction, taking into account balances in the accounts of the republican budget and the difference between the received and repaid loans from the other budgets complies with the Budget Code of the Russian Federation", - Dovletby Dolev explained. Press office of the Head of Adygeya Republic of http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8153 To: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev the Head of Adygeya Republic A.K.Tkhakushinov the State Soviet-Khase of Adygeya Republic the social movement "Adyghe Khasa" of Adygeya Republic The people of Adygeya Republic Dear Dmitry Anatolievich! Dear Aslan Kitovich! Dear deputies of the State Soviet-Khase of Adygeya Republic! Dear members of "Adyghe Khasa"! Dear compatriots! Diaspora zara Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:25:34 +0400 To: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev the Head of Adygeya Republic A.K.Tkhakushinov the State Soviet-Khase of Adygeya Republic the social movement "Adyghe Khasa" of Adygeya Republic The people of Adygeya Republic Dear Dmitry Anatolievich! Dear Aslan Kitovich! Dear deputies of the State Soviet-Khase of Adygeya Republic! Dear members of "Adyghe Khasa"! Dear compatriots! During recent months the political situation in Syrian Arab Republic has been deteriorating.Every day massive clashes of different groups with the authorities of the country, killing of hundreds of innocent people take place. We, Circassians (Cherkess) of Syria, appeared to be in an extremely difficult position. Every day we are forced to risk our lives and the lives of our loved ones. A hope for that the situation in the country would stabilize and a chance for living in peace and security in Syria do not exist any more. In this hour so difficult for our people the only country which we can call upon for help and salvation is Russian Federation, our republic within Russia, our brothers and sisters in Northern Caucasus. Our sincere desire is to return to our ancestral land, to live in peace and harmony with our brothers and sisters in Northern Caucasus, in peace and harmony with all the peoples of Russia. We, undersigning this, appeal to you to accept us in the native land, to rescue us from the impending tragedy, to hold your helping hand in this difficult hour. We believe that our call for help and salvation will not be left without your attention. Signatures of 115 people followed Source: Adyghe Heku http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8142 The Congress of the Ankara City Caucasian organization (Khasa) in which 325 delegates had participated, took place in Ankara. In the agenda of the congress there were two questions - renaming of the organization, elections of the council and chairman of the organization. The question on renaming of "Caucasian organization of Ankara” in “Circassian organization of Ankara” was adopted unanimously. The second question was elections of the members of the council and the chairman of the organization. For that purposes at the congress 2 lists were presented, every of them consisted of 9 persons. The list which had been headed by Inal Kozo got 186 voices. Representatives of this list became the members of the council, and Inal Kozo was elected the chairman of the organization. Diaspora zara Mon, 26 Dec 2011 01:33:58 +0400 The Congress of the Ankara City Caucasian organization (Khasa) in which 325 delegates had participated, took place in Ankara. In the agenda of the congress there were two questions - renaming of the organization, elections of the council and chairman of the organization. The question on renaming of "Caucasian organization of Ankara” in “Circassian organization of Ankara” was adopted unanimously. The second question was elections of the members of the council and the chairman of the organization. For that purposes at the congress 2 lists were presented, every of them consisted of 9 persons. The list which had been headed by Inal Kozo got 186 voices. Representatives of this list became the members of the council, and Inal Kozo was elected the chairman of the organization. The process of renaming of "Caucasian organization” into “Circassian organization” had been initiated several years ago and proceeded till nowadays. Earlier the city organizations in Yalova, Bursa and other cities had been renamed. The city organization of Ankara is one of the powerful Circassian public organizations of Turkey. We should note that the Circassian organizations in Turkey are organized in several federations and united in a network of the organizations. The biggest one is federation "KAFFED" (the Caucasian Federation) in it there are 60 independent organizations among which the Circassian organization of Ankara is. Besides there is also Federation “Unity of Caucasus” which includes 20 organizations. “Caucasian Forum” is a youth organization which has representations in all the cities of Turkey. “Fund of Caucasus” is a powerful organization in the sphere of information. Two years ago the new organization under the name “Patriots of Circassia” which became popular, started working; it gradually gathers forces in the Circassian society of Turkey and on the historical Native land, as well as in the other countries of the world. Besides in Turkey there are tens independent Circassian organizations not included into those federations. www.intercircass.org http://natpress.net/index.php?newsid=8141 On December, 13th at the Central office if the ICA a working meeting, devoted to influence of the internal political crisis in Syria onto the position of the Circassian Diaspora of the country took place. The action had been initiated by the chairman of the Coordination Council of Adygeyan (Circassian) public associations of Kabardino-Balkaria of Z.Kalmykov’s name. The president of the ICA K.Azhakhov, as well as the other members of the Council and the Executive committee of the ICA, members of the Coordination Council and repatriates participated. Diaspora zara Mon, 26 Dec 2011 01:31:56 +0400 On December, 13th at the Central office if the ICA a working meeting, devoted to influence of the internal political crisis in Syria onto the position of the Circassian Diaspora of the country took place. The action had been initiated by the chairman of the Coordination Council of Adygeyan (Circassian) public associations of Kabardino-Balkaria of Z.Kalmykov’s name. The president of the ICA K.Azhakhov, as well as the other members of the Council and the Executive committee of the ICA, members of the Coordination Council and repatriates participated. At the meeting the working group which should analyze the position of Circassians in Syria and make the program of necessary measures for helping them was formed. Activities of the working group were headed by the repatriate from Syria Kumok Mamduh. On December, 19th at the next meeting which passed at the Central office of the ICA, the working group (created at the ICA with the purpose of studying of the position of Circassians in Syria) offered the list of the urgent measures on rendering help the Diaspora. After discussion and adding additions they decided to consider the above-named measures at the session of the Governmental commission on affairs of compatriots abroad which should take place in December of this year. the chairman of the KBR State committee on affairs of public and religious organizations B.Pashtov, the ICA president K.Azhakhov took part in the meeting. © International Circassian Association