Media Alert

For Immediate Release

Chechen President says chemical weapons used in Chechnya

(WASHINGTON, DC – 01/21/00)  –  On January 20, 2000, the Islamic Supreme Council of America received an email from the son of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov, Anzour Maskhadov. The council also received a detailed video from Mr. Maskhadov, shot in Grozny, that shows the results of the constant bombardment and missile attacks.

The letter from Mr. Maskhadov reads in part:

“Assalamu Aleikum, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani and our brothers and sisters in America.It was very nice to talk to you on the phone. It would be really nice and interesting to talk to you and our brothers face to face…

“After our conversation on the phone I spoke with my father, President of Chechen Republic Ichkeriya Aslan Maskhadov. My father spoke about the situation in Chechnya, he also asked of our developments... The President of Chechen Republic Ichkeriya wishes you and all our brothers his best regards, and he also asked …any help to the Chechen people.

“The President of Chechen Republic Ichkeriya said that the destruction of Chechen people is undertaken by …all kinds of prohibited weapons including the chemical ones, but InshaAllah no matter …the Chechen people by the will of almighty Allah will again win the war.

“We have …mujahedin here …for medical treatment and who needs our assistance…

“Thank You in advance. Yours truly Maskhadov Anzour.”

ISCA continues to work closely with President Maskhadov to assist refugees in Ingushetia and in other areas of the Russian Federation under the auspices of the International Association for Social Support of Citizens (IASSC). IASSC is a relief organization registered in Russia for the purposes of providing humanitarian aid to the refugees. In a recent trip to the refugee camps of Ingushetia, IASSC Chairman and ISCA’s representative, Dr. Waheed Pirzada, supervised distribution of humanitarian aid supplies to refugees living in tents and railway cars, including food, clothing, purified water, blankets, medical supplies and toys for children.

The Islamic Supreme Council of America urges all humanitarian organizations to contact us in order to facilitate assistance of all kinds to the refugees of the current conflict.

Beginning January 21, 2000, ISCA will be presenting portions of the videotape from Chechnya on the ISCA website at http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org.

Click here to view footage of the siege of Grozny.
Warning: Extremely Graphic Material.

Please note! You must have installed Microsoft Windows Media Player in order to hear the broadcast. If you have not, please visit their Web site to download.