Statement by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on the situation in Chechnya and around it

S T A T E M E N T
ON THE SITUATION IN CHECHNYA AND AROUND IT

The Orthodox Christians cannot reconcile themselves with sin and lawlessness. What happened and is still happening in Chechnya, namely, hijacking of hundreds of people, including Orthodox and Muslim clergy, murder, torture, oppression of innocent civilians and rampant crime, cannot be left without a response. Attempts to spread the wave of terrorism to neighbouring regions and all Russia also need to be firmly opposed.

In view of this, the Russian Orthodox Church supports the anti-terrorist aims that the Russian state authorities have set before the army and the law-enforcement. It has become evident today that the political settlement of the Chechen problem is impossible without restoration of law and order. The hand of murderers, perpetrators of violence and terrorists should be stopped.

At the same time, I consider it extremely important to ensure that civilians – first of all those who have proved their non-participation in the lawlessness perpetrated and refused unequivocally to support the bandits and terrorists – should not become victims in the struggle with the criminals. This demands that the army should show an attitude of high responsibility in choosing the means and ways of conducting their military operations and that all the authorities should pay exceptional attention to the needs of the civilians, especially the forced re-settlers who have found themselves on the verge of survival. It is also necessary to help society know exactly and for certain what is going on in the Northern Caucasus, so that the spread of rumors, fear and ethnic and religious animosity may be excluded.

Sympathizing with the pastors and faithful of our Church who live in the North Caucasus, we call upon them to withstand all the trials with courage and patience. While fully identifying with our much-suffered flock, we make a special appeal to the Muslims both in the armed conflict region and throughout Russia. For centuries we have lived and will always live together. Let no one divide us today, for we have a common goal, which is the spiritual revival of our country and the building of its life according to age-old moral norms.

The people of Chechnya have the right to choose their destiny. After peace and tranquillity is established in the republic, the federal authorities should enter into dialogue with its elders, religious leaders and elected representatives in order to prevent any new aggravation of the crisis and to reach mutually acceptable decisions. In the meantime, everything should be done to stop the suffering of the civilians, to help the sick, the wounded and the hungry and those who have left their homes and lost shelter.

To achieve this our church is prepared to join efforts with the state authorities, various public organizations, non-Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Russia, Europe and throughout the world. May our common efforts help heal the physical and spiritual wounds of those who suffer. Let us work together for reconciliation and pray for peace so that the Lord may return it to the divided and embittered people.

ALEXY, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

November 12, 1999