Ruslan Keshev - Recognition of the Circassian Genocide - is a moral duty

We present you the translation of an interview made by "AntiSochi.org" with Ruslan Keshev, one of the leaders of "Circassian Congress", Circassian activist movement in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Keshev! How would you rate the conference Tbilisi undertaken on 19-21 November this year?

A: We can definitely say that in the conference held in Tbilisi, the Circassian issue brought to a qualitatively new level. The problem of the Circassian people, 90% of whom reside outside of their historical homeland, while remaining at home until now divided into four "people", and six subjects of the federation, began more and more to attract the attention of the international community. Such a state of the Circassian people contradicts international law and the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Circassian Genocide committed by the Russian state during and after the Russian-Circassian War years 1763-1864, Will inevitably be recognized by the international community.

However, it is desirable that the work of such conferences was built more clearly. At the conference, except for the Circassian issue dealt with human rights problems in the North Caucasus, particularly Chechnya, Ingushetia, and studied the situation in Dagestan. In my opinion, the time distribution occurred was largely uneven. Circassian issue has taken a disproportionately little time. In addition, we do like that the Conference has developed and would like some practical recommendations, that are not limited to a mere statement of facts.

With regard to the Circassian issue, I think, we once again have a platform for bringing world attention to the problem of the Circassian people.

We are grateful to the people of Georgia in the face of all the organizers of the Conference, the ILIA State University, and "Jamestown Foundation" for the opportunity.

Q: Mr Keshev, what do you think, Will Georgia recognize the genocide of Circassians in the near future?

A: After the first conference held in Tbilisi on 19-22 March 2010, some people even gave a specific timeframe. Then the dates moved. But as far as these terms were related to the work of the Parliament of Georgia, we do not know. And, of course, the Parliament of Georgia has the right to decide and determine on its own terms. However, given the importance of the issue at a meeting of the Circassian Congress, with members of the Parliament of Georgia, we turned to the president and the parliament to expedite consideration of the recognition of genocide of Circassians.

Q: And how do you comment on Political analyst Epifancev, who argues that there was no genocide?

A: I do not know that analyst. But the claims that Mr. Epifancev and the like of him claim, do not change anything. The most reasonable thing would not try to deny the genocide of Circassians, and, recognizing it, to promote the repatriation of the Circassians in their historical homeland.

Q: After recognition of the Circassian people genocide, what aims the Circassian movement put as the second phase?

A: Recognition of the genocide of Circassians - this is not an end in itself. The purpose of the Circassian Congress is to restore the unity of the Circassian people in the historic homeland. Recognition of the genocide of Circassians is - a moral duty to the living memory of hundreds of thousands died in that unjust war, which resulted in disappeared Circassia from the map. Recognition of the Circassian genocide will open to the world the most tragic page in history of 19 centuries, and will contribute to the repatriation of our compatriots in the homeland.

Q: As far as I know the delegates from Karachai-Balkar people also support you in recognition of the genocide.

A: On the issue of genocide recognition, all the participants of the Conference have supported us.

In addition, delegates of Karachay and Balkar, as well as all those present at the forum, denounced the Karachay speaker Svetlana Alieva, who uttered one of the pseudo-concepts distributed recently in Karachay-Cherkessia. The time has come to understand that such pseudo-concepts can't humiliate the Circassian people, and certainly can't raise the Karachay. The only thing they can - is worsen relations between nations. And who benefits and who is the one trying to be a mainstay, I think, is clear.

Q: Mr Keshev, I wish success for you and the Circassian people. Thanks for the interesting conversation

A: Thank you and I wish you success in our common cause.

Source - antisochi.org

Translation - RADIO-ADIGA.