Chechnya: Russian troops out!


Disgracefully there is no campaign in solidarity with Chechnya in Britain. AWL members are circulating this letter; we will be co-ordinating protests shortly. If you live in Britain and would like to get involved please circulate this letter (e.g. ask your local Labour MP to sign it). If you live abroad and there is no local initiative - why not help to set one up?

  • Please sign and circulate this letter of protest:

    We, the undersigned, condemn the Russian invasion of Chechnya. We call for the immediate withdrawal of all Russian forces, and for the recognition of the Chechens' right to self determination.

    The war is not a response to 'Chechen terrorism'. It is an attempt to divert attention away from the social and economic crisis in Russia. Its goals are to restore the standing of the military in Russian society, and to secure Russian control of the oil and gas pipelines running through Chechnya.

    In Russia the war has triggered a wave of chauvinism and anti-Chechen racism. In Chechnya the war is being waged on the basis of a scorched earth policy and disregard for civilian casualties.

    Placing no faith in the half-hearted and hypocritical criticisms voiced by US and European governments of Russian aggression in Chechnya, we call for the labour movement in Britain to build links with socialist and trade union anti-war initiatives in Russia and to campaign for:

    • recognition of Chechnya's right to self-determination;
    • Russian military withdrawal from Chechnya.

  • To add you name to this protest letter please send a note to osborn@workersliberty.org or fax me at 0171 207 4673, or phone on 0171 207 3997.

    Include your details if you would like to be informed of meetings, protests etc organised against the Russian war against Chechnya.

For solidarity

Mark Osborn


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