			Foreign Correspondent

		      Inside Track On World News
	    By International Syndicated Columnist & Broadcaster
		 Eric Margolis <emargolis@lglobal.com>

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CHECHEN'S DESERVE OUR SUPPORT
by Eric Margolis


PARIS  -  Just two months ago, it seemed impossible that
Russia would ever pull its troops out of Chechnya, the tiny
Caucasus mountain republic of only 1.3 million people.

But last Sunday, after two years of bitter fighting, the
last Russian army and Interior Ministry soldiers left
Chechnya - or Ichkeria, as Chechens now call it.  The
withdrawal was part of a peace agreement between the soldier
who represents what's left of Russia's honor. Gen. Alexander
Lebed, and Chechen leaders. The compromise calls for
elections on January 27th, postponement of independence
until 2001, and security for Russian oil pipelines. . .  

Chechnya has been a humiliating disaster for Russia. When
the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the little  Muslim
nation, whose fierce mountaineers have battled Russian
imperialism for 350 years, thrice enduring near genocide, 
declared independence.  The world -save plucky Estonia - 
ignored the Chechens. 

In mid-1994, Russia's KGB and interior ministry mounted an
invasion of Chechnya, and tried repeatedly to assassinate
its elected leader, Gen, Dzhokar Dudayev.  The invasion,
which cost Russia US $500 million, was crushed by Chechen
fighters. Six months later, under cover of Christmas, Moscow
sent 40,000 troops, and KGB hit squads, to crush Chechen
independence.

Chechen mujihadin, or holy warriors, fought like lions.
Russia used heavy artillery and carpet bombing to raze
Chechen villages, towns and cities. A Russian military
analyst revealed to me the total explosive power unleashed
just against the capitol, Grozny, was equivalent to a 40
kiloton nuclear weapon, or 8 million pounds of TNT.

While the world turned its eyes - while the Clinton
Administration financed Moscow's invasion of Chechnya with
loans, and disgracefully compared  Moscow's barbarity there 
to America's civil war - Russia slaughtered 100,000 
Chechens, mainly civilians.  The KGB used US-supplied
electronic gear to target and finally murder the Chechen
leader, Dzhokar Dudayev.  But his redoubtable successors,
Sheiks Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Busayev, proved equally
fierce, and even more deadly opponents.

Against all odds, lightly-armed Chechen mujihadin battled
and defeated Russian forces that were supported by 
tanks,vast trains  of artillery, and air power.  The
demoralized Russians were so badly mauled that the Army High
Command finally demanded a withdrawal before its elite units
had to be committed to the Caucasus.


Russia will now lick its wounds while unleashing Plan B.
Developed in Afghanistan by the KGB, this tactic calls for
using agents, arms and money to divide local Chechen tribes
or factions, and gradually turn them against their fellows -
as KGB did - and is still doing - with great success in
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia.  

Troublesome Chechen leaders will be assassinated or
suborned.  KGB will continue its successful propaganda
campaign, painting Chechens as gangsters, or Islamic
terrorists.  Foreign aid workers and diplomats will be
intimidated or murdered to keep the nation isolated.

Still, the defeat of Moscow's forces in Ichkeria is a
miracle. It shows what can be achieved by men of steel who
know how to bear and use arms, who are fired against tyranny
by their faith, who fear nothing. The Chechen victory offers
hope to oppressed peoples everywhere

Ichkeria is surrounded by Russian-controlled territory. Two
airports, newly in Chechen hands this week, are Ichkeria's
sole gateway to the outside world.  The speed and intensity
with which the world delivers aid and opens diplomatic
contacts to Ichkeria will determine its future.  If the west
and Islamic world do not act swiftly, the tiny flame of
Chechen independence will be snuffed out.

The US and Canada can do much to help the heroic Chechens
consolidate their victory.  Establish consular and
telecommunications links.  Set up regular air service - an
air freedom bridge -  from Turkey to Grozny; help rebuild
the nation's ravaged infrastructure, create a stable Chechen
currency..

All peoples who cherish independence and liberty owe a great
debt to the Chechen mountaineers for showing the world that
right can sometimes overcome might.

Copyright, E. Margolis, January, 1997
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