"Izvestiya", February 24, 1995, p. 1

It probably was the most quiet demonstration of all I have seen. About 30 people lied silent on the sidewalk in front of a huge white colossus of Defence Ministry building on Arbat street. About 20 their comrades stood beside with well-known slogans: peace for Chechnia; soldiers, go home; do not persecute those who refused to go to the slaughter; bring to court those who started the war. According to organizers of the action, the same demonstrations were carried out on February 23 in Kiev, Bonn, Paris, London, Rome and other cities all over the world.

Yulia, 19, from "Memorial" society has no relatives in Chechnia. However, she has lied on the cold February asphalt to protest against that war. Is it possible, said Yulia, that peace is not yet paid by all the blood shed there? It is necessary to stop the slaughter, it is obvious to every normal man.

Felix, 23, Buddhist. He is against war and violence in general, and especially in Chechnia, because, he said, this is the first war that the new country of Russia has started.

Angelica Chechnia is a member of Coordinating council of Committee of Soldiers' Mothers, one of the organizers of the demonstration. She came to the Committee when her son was just 16 to understand where, in what an army, in what an environment will her son pass his military duty. As she thinks now, she has learnt to defend rights of citizens in their relations with military departments. Although her son has a tender stomach, he was recognized fit for service and was drafted. But she was persistent, and made them to direct her son to a serious medical examination. Diagnosis was ulcer of stomach. Unfit for service. Such cases, said Angelica, are very often. According to her information, one fourth of "runaways" from army must have retired because of diseases got before the service or in barracks.

Another soldier's mother, Valentina, managed to take back her son drafted to interior forces in Piatigorsk, where young draftees were prepared to be transferred to Chechnia. Her son has an ill liver: hepatitis, but they took him to send to battle fields in several weeks. Valentina took her son from the military unit, and gained him to be placed in a hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. Mother does not want her son to be a deserter. If he fits, let him serve. But not at the war!

... I do not know how generals on Arbat street liked such a quiet action. Maybe, ignoring noisy and crowded protests, they will hear the pain being whispered?

Translated into English by A.Prishchenko, Kiev, 24/02/1995