Chechen Refugees Complain on Social Hardship, Demand Resettlement

Pankisi in Pictures

Georgian authorities are proud to demonstrate Pankisi gorge as an example of a success story of the law enforcement agencies, which could restore rule of law in this tiny gorge, which was no-go area and safe haven for the Chechen fighters and Arab mercenaries in the previous years.

On April 27 delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly paid a fact-finding visit in Pankisi to evaluate “a possible danger coming from the gorge.” The 9-member delegation visited several checkpoints of the Georgian Internal Troops, deployed in Pankisi and met with the local population and the Chechen refugees living in the gorge.

“There is controlled situation and we are very satisfied with this,” Marcus Meckel, Chairman of the sub-committee for Central and Eastern Europe told the reporters in Pankisi gorge. “We are very thankful for the counter terrorist operation carried out by the Georgian forces. It was very successful,” he added.

However Georgian authorities, as well as the NATO Parliamentarians say that the threat of infiltration of Chechen fighter into the gorge still persists. Law enforcers say armed groups might return to Pankisi when mountain passes are clear of snow.

“I think there could be a danger in the future, but your soldiers are doing a very good job here in order to prevent destabilization [in Pankisi],” Dr. Karl Lamers, member of the sub-committee for Central and Eastern Europe of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly told Civil Georgia. 

Georgian Defense Ministry intends to carry out maneuvers near Pankisi in the nearest days to reinforce control in the area.

Georgian Interior and State Security Ministries carried out anti-crime operation in Pankisi in August-November 2002. According to the Security Ministry before the anti-crime operation up to 700 Chechen fighters and 100 Arab mercenaries, as well as the criminal gangs were hiding in Pankisi gorge.

Deputy Commander of the Georgian Internal Troops Lekso Mikava told the NATO delegation that no major clashes occur in the gorge since last September, when the most active phase of the anti-crime operation was conducted. Deputy Commander also said that the troops carry out a round a clock patrolling in the gorge.

Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania, while speaking in Moscow on April 25 at the conference where the representatives of the security services of up to 40 states participated said “some notorious persons, including Achimez Gochiaev, suspected in explosions of the apartment buildings in Moscow in 1999, might be in Pankisi at the moment.”

The local population denies that there are groups of Chechen fighters in the gorge. “I have seen no fighters and terrorists in the gorge since the troops came here and the crime rate also reduced,” Ahiada Kavtarashvili, resident of Duisi village told Civil Georgia.

While the Georgian law enforcers are on high alert in anticipation of the fighters’ possible new incursion in Pankisi gorge, Chechen refugees living in the gorge complain regarding social hardship and security concern and demand resettlement to the third country.

During the meeting with the NATO Parliamentary delegation Chechen refugees expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of medicines, food and frequent clean-up operations carried out by the Georgian law enforcers in the gorge.

“They [troops] are coming and storming our houses at nights. We can not move freely in the gorge because of these numerous checkpoints,” Adam, refugee from Chechen capital Groznyy told Civil Georgia. “Besides our children are completely deprived of education. That is why we demand resettlement to the third country,” he added.

Georgian law enforcers deny refugees’ claims saying Chechens are exaggerating, while talking about suppressions. “They're making a mountain out of a molehill; they [Chechen refugees] are just trying to go to better country,” Giorgi Datuashvili, serviceman of the Internal Troops told Civil Georgia.  

Chechen refugees refuse to go back in Chechnya now as there is no security guarantee. “At the moment I will not return in Chechnya,” Elza from Groznyy told Civil Georgia.

“I have 21-years-old son, if we go back to Groznyy Russians will recruit him to the Federal Forces and make him fight against Chechens, otherwise they [Russians] will send him to the so-called “filtration camp”, she said.

Chechen refugees told all their problems to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation but they have little hope that their voice will be heard. “Officials used to visit us; they listen to us, but there is no relief so far,” Chechen refugee Adam says.

By Giorgi Sepashvili, Civil Georgia