GEOG 2002: Geographies of Global Change: Spring 2004
Instructor: Professor John O'Loughlin

Debate 1

Debate on the Wars in Chechnya 1994-96 and 1999-2004

The first debate in week 6 of the class is on the subject of the current war in Chechnya (and its predecessor, the war in 1994-1996). The Russian Federation, of which Chechnya is a region with some local autonomy, has attempted to bring the republic fully within Russian control for the past few years. At the end of the 1994-96 war, Chechnya, to all intents and purposes, has de facto independence with the withdrawal of Russian forces. A series of unexplained bombings in Moscow and other Russian cities in Fall 1999 and a Chechen incursion into Dagestan (a neighboring Russian province) provided the context for a Russian attempt to subdue the Chechens once again. After a year of war, Russian forces control the north of the region and (partially) maintain control of Grozny (the capital), but Chechen forces continue to attack and kill Russian troops and pro-Moscow civilians from their hide-outs in the Caucasus mountains in the south of the province. There remains little prospect of a Russian military victory.

There are five positions - each corresponding to a team. Each team is asked to respond to the 4 questions below in their presentation. For each team, we suggest a web link if you want more information on the perspective that you are representing. You can also, of course, find other materials in the library or on the Web to help your argument.

For background on the crisis in Chechnya, click on the following links:

The BBC Country Profiles has one of the best overviews of the Chechen conflict. The PBS News Hour gives a timeline, photos and recent updates on the Chechen conflict. PBS also has similar sites with additional information. There are also several Chechen News sources in English that are online: Chechen Press, Chechen Times, Chechnya News. Be sure to read the background article from The Economist, “A Moment of Truth: the Caucasus.”

Team A

Chechens (perspective from the battle-front)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria

Might also consider looking at the Kavkaz Center, which is also listed for the Islamic supporters of Chechnya group

Team B

U.S. Department of State (the official US governmental position)

U.S. State Department, “U.S.-Russia Relations”, U.S. Embassy in Moscow (search: Chechnya)

Team C

Human Rights Watch

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and Amnesty International (search: Chechnya), Prague Watchdog

Team D

Islamic supporters of the Chechens

Kavkaz Center (be sure to check out the “About Us” link)

Islamic Youth Networks

Team E

Russian Government (Russian Informational Centre)

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Click English, and search Chechnya)

Russia Against Terror

Answer these following 4 questions in your presentation:

Do the Chechens have a right to independence from Russia?
Is Russia in violation of the norms of international law by its attacks on the rebels?
Who is mostly responsible for the enormous refugee flow from Chechnya?
Is there an outcome that would be satisfactory to both sides? What would it be?