Parliament To Discuss Cherkez Genocide Issue

PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS CHERKEZ GENOCIDE ISSUE

The Messenger

May 13 2011
Georgia

Georgian media actively speculates about the possibility that Georgian
parliament recognizes the fact of genocide of Cherkez nationals carried
out by Russia in the 19th century. Some media suggest that it will
be done by May 21 which is the date commemorating Russia’s conquering
of the north Caucasus 140 years ago. Is there a possibility that the
Georgian parliament recognizes the genocide of cherkez people? Some
sources are reporting that the Georgian parliament is currently
receiving requests to recognize the genocide of Ingush and Chechen
people as well as Armenians.

It is already around a year since the Georgian parliament began
studying the issue of the alleged Cherkez genocide. The Parliament
contacted foreign and local analysts. Georgian Merab Chukhua thinks
that Russian activities in the 19th century had all the features of
genocide as casualties tolled more than 20% of the entire population
of their nation. In case of Cherkez 90% of its population was either
ousted out of its territory or exterminated and only 10% was left
residing in the Caucasus.

Of course discussing this issue in the parliament of Georgia is more
a political issue rather than a historical or judicial one. Different
Cherkez organizations around the world were bombarding the Georgian
parliament with requests and arguments to recognize Cherkez genocide by
the Russian empire. Is this the right time to recognize this genocide
or to put this issue on the agenda at all? This is the main question
for Georgian legislators. The request to Georgian parliament was
sent to the Kabardo Balcarian Cherkez movement and the congress of
the Cherkez people in Germany.

The International Association of Peace and Human Rights has asked
the Georgian parliament to recognize not only Cherkez but Chechen
and Ingush victims as well.

Of course most organizations concerned are based outside Russia,
because naturally the organizations inside Russia are afraid of
possible counter measures taken by Kremlin politicians.

It is also interesting that according to some information many Cherkez
nationals were fighting against Georgia in support of Abkhaz separatism
19 years ago.

So, what can be done? Moscow will definitely be very irritated
if Georgia recognizes the genocide and it will once again accuse
Tbilisi of undermining the situation in the north Caucasus. There is
considerable pressure from the Armenian side who want the Georgian
parliament to recognize Armenian genocide as well which will eventually
put Georgia in a very awkward position, irritating and upsetting its
strategic partners Turkey and Azerbaijan. Turkey will also see itself
in an awkward position as there are many Cherkez nationals in Turkey
but Ankara does not want to upset Moscow and accordingly does not
recognize Cherkez genocide. Some analysts think that by recognizing
Cherkez genocide, Tbilisi would be opening Pandora’s Box which will
disturb the situation in the Caucasus and aggravate it once again and
probably backfire on Georgia. So before taking any kind of decision,
serious brainstorming involving expert opinions of experienced people
should be considered and reconsidered many times.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress