Moscow, December 28, 1994

No idea, including idea of integrity of Russia, common to many Russians, can be excused by war against people. No democratic country can use military force to hold a people that does not want it. Present Russian-Chechen war is distinct boundary, the turning point for Russia back to totalitarianism. No truth in your words that Russian army defends just country integrity and constitutional order in Chechen lands. In the first place, Russian soldiers defend there interests of military production complex, that have devoured Russia for dozens of years, interests of consolidated army highest ranks and native oil kings, for whom blood is cheaper then oil. That mafia is now at the top of the country. You were outwitted! But for the time being the formal president, as a Supreme commander in Chief, you can not avoid responsibility for soldiers, completing a criminal mission, killing Chechens and dying themselves in the fire of fratricidal war. Did you hear NTV broadcast on evening, December 28? I repeat especially for

you: 2000 Chechens died, including 340 Chechen soldiers, others are women, children, and old people; 824 Russian soldiers; 1000 tanks are driven close to the city. Here is Stalingrad, that was created by new masters of Russia, while you have declared, that onslaught of Grozny will not be!

Months lasted preparatory anti-Chechen mendacious campaign on State TV, that managed to deceive nearly the whole country. You did not wonder whose money did they spend for it? Ask them, who palmed you idea about dozens of thousands of mercenaries from Baltic countries and Azerbajdzhan. Ponder over, can your words be prelude before future stab further to West and South?

Death of Dmitry Kholodov and your followed compliments to Minister Grachiov, wargames of your guards before Moscow Mayor House were prologue before the war. Onslaught of Grozny is not the end of the war, but it's beginning. What's now? Stop up press, dispel unwanted, find or falsify compromising information, intimidate, put in the prison? Federal Contra-Intelligence Service has already shown, that former skills are up to date, and no reform, political or economic. On pretext of restoration of Chechnia and increased army expenses -- further devastation of the country and enrichment of its real masters.

In August of year 1991 Russia and you did not allow them to take power. Today they defeated Russia and you with your help (History will judge -- voluntary or not). Your Pharos has come about!

You have announced creation of new President's Committee, called to provide observance of human rights in Chechnia. Wake up! That was already in the History. At the end of 70-ties, nearly all members of independent Moscow Helsinki Group (where I was honoured to be a member) and members of similar groups in Soviet Republics were sent to concentration camps and exiled. Then another one with the same title was created in a hurry. Famous F.Burlatskiy was appointed to direct this child of KGB and Politburo, but his commission could deceive too few in the world. Do not rely on that now, when Chairman of Committee on human rights Kovaliov and member of Committee Molostvov, members of State Duma Borschiov and Petrovski, and expert of "Memorial" Orlov are in Grozny now. They defend human rights there with true information about mass violations, sharing tragic fate of Chechen people under bombs and artillery shells.

I fully agree with their position, and find any form of collaboration with your administration impossible, so I declare my dismissal from Committee on human rights at Russian President's administration.

Yelena Bonner

Translated into English by A.Prishchenko, Kiev, 6/01/95