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243 
 
(Konfederatsiia Naradov Kavkaza) in its emergency congress held in Grozny on 4-
5 October 1992. 
In its first meeting in Grozny on 17-18 October 1992, the renamed 
Confederation discussed the clashes between the Ingush and Osetians. In that 
meeting North Osetia was described as the ‘spine’ of Russia in the region. That is 
to say, it was a republic that could easily change the political balance in the 
region.
582
 From then on, Osetians diverted their path towards Moscow and the 
relation between the Confederation and the Osetians started to become tense. 
 
Following the intensification of the strife among the Ingush and Osetians, 
Chechen Republic’s parliament held an emergency sitting in Grozny on 1 
November. “It is supposed to propose to make the peacemaking activity of the CCP 
in solving the conflict more active.”
583
 The leading figures of the Confederation 
also took in part at that sitting of the Chechen parliament, and Musa Shanibov 
declared that the clashes between the Osetians and Ingush in the Prigorodnyi region 
of North Osetia were “the greatest misfortune which could happen in the Northern 
Caucasus.” He underlined that the CCP would insist on urgent stopping of 
bloodshed and sacking of all disputable issues between the Osetians and Ingush by 
peaceful political means.
584
 In addition, Yusup Soslambekov, the head of the 
Confederation Parliament, declared that the Confederation was not going to join 
                                                 
582
 “Kendimizden Başka Kimse Bize Yardımcı Olmayacaktır,” January 1993. Kafkasya Gerçeği, 11: 
8-9. 
583
 “Chechnia rules out involvement in Osetian-Ingush Conflict,” SWB SU/1528, B/5, 3 November 
1992. 
584
 Chechnia rules out involvement in Osetian-Ingush Conflict,” SWB SU/1528, B/5, 3 November 
1992. 

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244 
 
either North Osetia or Ingushetia in their conflict, but would “play peacemaking 
role to immediately stop this armed conflict”. 
According to the participants of the session, the main burden was on “the 
empire forces of Russia and Georgia”. Shanibov accused Russia and Georgia for 
establishing serious contacts with North Osetia and Ingushetia, respectively. The 
conflict has become a burning point, which distracts the Confederation forces from 
confrontation in Abkhazia, Shanibov pointed out, “that is why Georgia is interested 
in this conflict.”
585
 
 
In those days, the main concern of the Chechen and Confederation leaders 
was preventing the spread of the clashes and advance of the Russian troops to the 
Chechen proper. Therefore, in order to mollify the Russian military circles, they 
oftenly denied reports that Chechen regiments were moving towards Vladikavkaz 
to support the Ingush. Soslambekov said that not a single volunteer of the 
Confederation would appear in the zone of the Osetian-Ingush conflict and added 
that “in the whole history of the Chechen and Osetian peoples they had never 
fought against each other and that this would not happen now, either.”
586
 
In fact, an Ingush delegation from the Prigorodnyi arrived to Grozny in the 
very early days of the conflict, on 31 October 1992 and asked for a support, 
especially for the arms. In addition, the Ingush expressed their hope that the 
Confederation and all “sound forces of the region”’ would be on their side.
587
 
                                                 
585
 Şenibe, Birliğin Zaferi, 53-4. 
586
 “Chechnia rules out involvement in Osetian-Ingush Conflict,” SWB SU/1528, B/5, 3 November 
1992. 
587
 “Groznyy TV calls on Chechens to share arms with Ingush,” SWB SU/1527, B/3, 2 November 
1992. 

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245 
 
Beyond the rumours that the Chechen and Confederation’s armed formations have 
left Grozny for the Osetian-Ingush conflict area, the attitudes of both sides was 
much more different. 
During the aforementioned emergency session of the Chechen Parliament, 
the overwhelming majority of deputies spoke out against Chechnya’s involvement 
in armed conflict. Moreover, they insisted that the Chechen mass media would not 
publish any propaganda on participation of volunteers in the conflict. The 
parliamentarians spoke out for strengthening of guard of military units to prevent 
seizure of arms by the Ingush.
588
 
On 9 November, when the Russian troops had already reached the still 
undemarcated border between Chechnya and Ingushetia, Musa Shanibov demanded 
the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the zone of the Osetian-Ingush conflict. 
He pointed out that “following the withdrawal, we shall solve the problem within a 
month through negotiations”. He further added that the Russian authorities should 
stop their interference in the affairs of the Caucasus, particularly in the affairs of 
the Ingush and Osetians.
589
 
On 10 November 1992, Russian troops entered into the territory of 
Ingushetia and by evening they were in control of the situation. They reached 
undefined Chechen-Ingush border and occupied some of Chechen territory. 
Chechen Republic was not late to react and declared a state of emergency in the 
                                                 
588
 “Chechnia rules out involvement in Osetian-Ingush Conflict,” SWB SU/1528, B/5, 3 November 
1992 
589
 “Shanibov demands withdrawal of Russian troops,” SWB SU/1535, B/3, 11 November 1992. 

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