According to a staff member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Washington, the relationship between Chechnya and Russia generally and regarding Chechnya's independence has not changed very much in the past several months (30 Nov. 1993). Russia maintains that Chechnya is still part of the Russian Federation (AFP 9 Nov. 1993; Russian Press Digest 12 Nov. 1993). President Dudayev, who declared Chechnya independent in October 1991 (AFP 9 Nov. 1993), maintains that it is an independent state (Izvestiya 21 Aug. 1993).

The CSCE staff member said that a recent trip by Dudayev to Jordan sparked a protest by the Russian government, which was displeased by the level of reception afforded Dudayev by King Hussein (30 Nov. 1993). Russia's draft constitution reportedly includes Chechnya as one of the 89 "subjects" of the Russian Federation (AFP 9 Nov. 1993), and this has evoked a protest from the Chechen authorities (CSCE staff member 30 Nov. 1993). The CSCE staff member added that Chechnya has drafted two treaties which Russia has firmly rejected (Ibid.).

The upcoming Russian elections have caused tension between Russia and Chechnya. The Chechen government has stated that Chechnya will not take part in the elections (TASS 20 Oct. 1993). Reportedly, residents of Chechnya who wish to vote will be required to cross the border into Stavropol Kray in order to cast their ballots (CSCE staff member 30 Nov. 1993).

The staff member of the CSCE stated that at the present time Chechnya does not have citizenship legislation. Its residents hold Russian passports and must have Russian visas to leave and return to Russia (and thereby Chechnya) (30 Nov. 1993).

For additional information on relations between Russia and Chechnya, please see the attached articles.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 November 1993. "Russia Moves to Reassert Authority over Chechnya." (NEXIS)

Izvestiya [Moscow, in Russian]. 21 August 1993. Nikolay Gritchin. "Dudayev Reaffirms Chechnya's Independence." (FBIS-SOV-93-167 31 Aug. 1993, pp. 35-36)

Russian Press Digest. 12 November 1993. Natalia Gorodetskaya. "Chechnya Does Not Want to Obey Moscow Mayor." (NEXIS)

Staff member, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), Washington, DC. 30 November 1993. Telephone interview.

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 20 October 1993. Galina Sugak. "Moscow Mayor Says Chechens to Be Treated as Foreigners." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 November 1993. "Russia Moves to Reassert Authority over Chechnya." (NEXIS)

Izvestiya [Moscow, in Russian]. 21 August 1993. Nikolay Gritchin. "Dudayev Reaffirms Chechnya's Independence." (FBIS-SOV-93-167 31 Aug. 1993, pp. 35-36)

Nezavisimaya Gazeta [Moscow, in Russian]. 7 July 1993. Natalya Pachegina. "Chechen Opposition Chief on Current Situation." (FBIS-SOV-93-097, pp. 46-47)

Obshchaya Gazeta [Moscow, in Russian]. 23 April 1993. Akardiy Popov. "Political Conflict in Chechnya, Russia Compared." (FBIS-SOV-93-068 1 June 1993, p. 48)

Rossiskaya Gazeta [Moscow, in Russian]. 26 June 1993. "Deputy on Confrontation in Chechen Republic." (FBIS-SOV-93-089 16 July 1993, pp. 46-48)

_____. 10 June 1993. Aleksandr Aleshkin. "Political Developments in Chechnya Examined." (FBIS-SOV-93-078 23 June 1993, pp. 60-61)

Russian Press Digest. 12 November 1993. Natalia Gorodetskaya. "Chechnya Does Not Want to Obey Moscow Mayor." (NEXIS)

The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 20 October 1993. Galina Sugak. "Moscow Mayor Says Chechens to Be Treated as Foreigners." (NEXIS)