201
In
the beginning, it was used by the Russian authorities, especially the
military circles, against Georgia. But in time, because of the Confederation’s
increasing anti-Russian and anti-federal discourse and attitude, the authorities in
Moscow started to oppose the idea of any kind of an organisation outside Russian
control.
Moreover, the Georgian assaults on Abkhazia and the Confederation’s
quick reaction to it, resulted in a rapprochement between Georgia and Russia. After
talks between Yeltsin and
Shevardnadze in late August
508
, the Ministry of Justice
of the Russian Federation issued a statement in which the actions of the
Confederation was defined as a gross violation of the Constitution.
509
Accordingly,
Valentin Stepankov, Procurator General of the Russian Federation instigated
criminal proceedings against the Confederation for stirring up inter-ethnic strife,
committing terrorist acts, and diversions, and taking hostages. In his accusation, the
procurator stressed that despite the fact the Confederation
has proclaimed itself a
socio-political institution, it was clearly claiming the role of substitute for the legal
bodies of a state power. The anti-constitutional thrust of this organization was
displayed perfectly by the attempts to create a parliament, defence council and
armed forces, the establishment of the post of commander-in-chief, the adoption of
508
In a telephone conversation on 24 August these two leaders condemned the
activities of the
Confederation and Yeltsin in a session of Russian Security Council stated that he would personally
take the necessary steps to stop the conflict and to start peace talks. “Yeltsin and Shevardnadze
discuss situation in Abkhazia,”
SWB SU/1469, C3/3, 26 August 1992.
509
“Mountain Peoples acting outside the law according to Russian Justice Ministry,”
SWB SU/1470,
C1/2, 27 August 1992.
202
documents calling for the continuity of terrorist acts.
510
The Procurator entrusted
the investigation of the case to its investigation department in which representatives
from the ministries of security and internal affairs took part.
The leaders of the Confederation quickly reacted and rejected the
accusations and activities of Yeltsin and the Justice Ministry. Shanibov and
Soslambekov stated that the Confederation did
not recognize the jurisdiction,
which intended to prosecute the organization for unconstitutional activities with
regard to Georgia.
511
While the Russians were continuing peace negotiations between the Abkhaz
and Georgians, they detained Shanibov as part of their policy of repressing the
Confederation. He was accused of encouraging ‘internal disharmony’ and of
signing a document on forming armed detachments to send to Abkhazia.
Demonstrations, demanding his release began over the entire North Caucasus,
especially Kabardino-Balkaria
512
in repsonse.
The demonstrators blockaded
Nalchik airport and a state of emergency was declared.
513
On 27 September 1992, after the meeting of its parliament, the
Confederation issued an appeal to the Russian Procurator General requesting him
not to view the Confederation’s actions as unconstitutional. The appeal explained
510
“Proceedings against Confederation of Mountain People instituted,”
SWB SU/1471, B/2, 28
August 1992.
511
“Mountain Peoples do not recognize jurisdiction of Russian procurator,”
SWB SU/1476, C1/5, 3
September 1992.
512
“Demands for release of CMP’s leader,”
SWB SU/1496, ii; 26 September; “Demonstrations in
Kabardino-Balkaria support mountainmen’s leader,”
SWB SU/1497, C2/, 28 September 1992.
513
“State of emergency declared in Kabarda-Balkaria; Fighting
continues,”
SWB SU/1498, B/4; 29
September 1992. “State of emergency suspended in Kabardin-Balkaria,”
SWB SU/1498, i; 29
September 1992.
203
why the Confederation’s president signed his decree on forming armed units to
fight in Abkhazia.
514
While these demonstrations were continuing, Shanibov managed to escape
from custody in Rostov and addressed a meeting in Nalchik on 28
September. In a
television interview, Shanibov said: “We want peace, we want to preserve Russia
as a commonwealth of peoples – of free peoples. We have not forgotten history,
and we still feel for the Russian State. We do care about where it is heading.”
515
How he escaped is still unknown and is viewed suspiciously. While some
claim he was released due to rising pressures from the Kabardian Peoples’
Congress and
Adygey-Khase, and their fear
of a possible opposition coup, there
were also rumours that the Russian let him out to prevent unrest from spreading
into other areas of the Caucasus. In addition, in an article published in
Segodnya,
516
it was implied that he has close contacts with Russian military officials in the
region. These close contacts made his ‘escape’ possible.
In order to analyse the complex situation and position of the Confederation
in the region and to decide on what policy to adopt towards Russia, the Fourth
Extraordinary Congress of the Peoples of the Caucasus
was organized in Grozny
on 3-4 October 1992.
In this Congress the first and most serious split in the Confederation
emerged. Representatives adopted two different approaches on relations with
514
“Confederation of Caucasian Mountain Peoples appeals for leader’s release,”
SWB SU/1498, B/5,
29 September.
515
“Nalchik Demonstrations Continues; Situation Relatively Calm,”
SWB SU/1500, B/2-3, 1
October.