I agree with Sergey Kovalev that the situation in Chechnya, as well as the attempt by the Russian government to limit the freedom of information and demonstration about it, is a serious matter of concern. It was probably necessary for Eltsin to use the force in order to overthrow the illegal regime of Dudayev; however, the military conduction of the operations is clearly violating basic human rights, while the civil right of the Russian citizens to know what is really happening and to express their opinions is not fully respected.I do hope that these tragic events will give the Russian democratic movement the chance to reawaken. No doubt, in fact, that the way of the military intervention is also a sort of payment that the ultra-nationalist red-brown political and military groups asked after their virtual victory in the Parliamentary elections of December 12, 1993; and that was the sign of the weakeness of the democrats.
So, Eltsin is still the best possible ruler for Russia; but this bitter note doesn't mean that we must excuse him for everything. Neither Rutskoy nor Zhirinovsky, of course, would act in a better way, and the immediate attack to Eltsin after the intervention in Chechnya by several sources was absolutely not shareable. Now, we should definitively support Sergey Kovalev in his appeals, and possibly add our own proposals and initiatives.
Dear Mamuka, Kolya, Olga: please, contact Kovalev and try to work together with him - as well as with Memorial and the Moscow Helsinki Group - on this issue.
Keep us informed about any possible activity. As for me, I am ready to support a campaign for human and civil rights, in Chechnya and in the whole Russia, even with nonviolent actions.
