In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Media Alert

Chechen Vice-Chair arrives in Washington as Foreign Minister departs

“Mission was a diplomatic success.” –Ilyas Akhmadov, Chechen Foreign Minister

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington, DC –1/31/00) – Chechen Foreign Minister Ilyas Akhmadov left Washington last Friday after a two-week whirlwind visit to the US, which included an extensive media blitz and several diplomatic meetings. The Islamic Supreme Council of America welcomes the arrival of Chechen Vice Chairman, Mr. Seilam Bechaev and Mr. Tourpal-Ali Kaimov, Chairman of the Budget Committee, both of the Chechen Parliament. The dignitaries arrived in Washington on Sunday, January 30, and are scheduled to speak at the Helsinki Commission’s briefing on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, February 2, 2000, among other speaking engagements during their two-week visit.

“This trip was a diplomatic success,” said Akhmadov, in a detailed briefing to ISCA staff outlining accomplishments of his trip. He was able to meet with many government officials and media representatives, presenting the plight of Chechnya in the current war. “These meetings provided me a unique opportunity to discuss my country’s situation with some of the highest officials in the United States,” Akhmadov said, “which I am positive will prove useful when negotiations for peace inevitably ensue.”

While in the US, Mr. Ahmadov met with senators, congressmen, members of the State Department, and directors of several NGOs. He made numerous public presentations, including speeches at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, The Middle East Institute and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS). He was given broad media coverage, including an interview by The New York Times’ William Safire, a live broadcast on CNN and a public event with Radio Liberty.

Mr. Akhmadov noted that while Chechnya may finally emerge victorious, it remains vulnerable to repeated attacks. “As long as there is no mediation or outside intervention with the help of civilized nations,” he said, “we will not be able to come out of the terrible situation we are facing.”

The foreign minister thanked Chairman Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani for ISCA’s consistent support of the Chechen people and conveyed President Maskhadov’s warmest regards before departing for Canada, the UK and Germany, where he seeks to garner further international support for a political solution to the war.

For information on ISCA’s efforts to end the war in Chechnya, and our relief efforts for Chechen refugees, please visit our website or call: (202) 661-4654.