Deportation - Do not forget history

Our meeting is devoted to another anniversary of deportation of peoples from the Caucasus, Baltic region and other territories of the Soviet state. Any historian, who deals with the Second World War, knows that thousands of soldiers, whose ethnic groups were considered as “collaborators,” fought and died on battlefields of this war. Even after rehabilitation and some political steps in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, which gave a political appraisal to the Stalin regime’s criminals toward repressed peoples, we still have gaps in this episode of the Soviet history. Moral and emotional appraisal of these events is as important as political rehabilitation. Sulumbek Mamilov, Peoples’ Artist of Ingushetia we have no right to forget these tragic events. Next generations should know our true history, whatever it is. Citing Gorky, I emphasize that if we look at the past watchfully, “the answers would be there.” Current tragic developments in the North Caucasus originate from these events of Stalin times. Lermontov said that the thing, which began oddly, will end oddly. I directed a movie devoted to the tragic deportation, Karachays shot a movie – and that is all! There is no literature on this theme. It should be developed. The majority of deported people were from the North Caucasus, and audience could share the pain, and it would be easier to go through it. Such events are disaster for small ethnic groups, as they could extinct. Every artist and director should aim at showing this pain to audience. The generation, which was raised after dissolution of the Soviet Union, lacks the systemic approach in perception of that epoch. Thus, such works would be necessary for not raising people, who forget their kinship. Aliy Totorkulov, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Russian Congress of the Caucasus Peoples, The epoch was “bold.” For more than 100 years our country is undergoing the epoch of changes, no stabilization has come. In the Soviet times I felt that we are thought to be “public enemies,” there were indirect orders not to accept Karachays into universities, some positions were inaccessible… The train of this discrimination had been lasting for a long time. Even today there some setbacks, when some Stalinists write that it was right to deport Chechens and others. A full stop should be made in this issue. We don’t afraid of full transparency, as everybody would understand that we were whipping boys. The plan of deportation was developed ahead of the war. Each ethnic group had policemen and bandits, we don’t deny this fact. But this was not a general phenomenon. We have to remember our history and learn the mistakes. At the same time, we should live today and be aimed at the future. I would like the full stop is made in the problem of deportation, for no Stalinists, Nazis, extremists or separatists could speculate on the theme, for Russian people wouldn’t be accused of it. Everyone should know the truth without illusions and offenses. It is better to look to the future, then, permanently look back. Akhmat Glashev, Director of the Turkology Institute In 1943-1944 while all male population of the Caucasus protected the Soviet Union from Nazis on battlefields, women, kids, the old and the sick were driven by trains far away from their homes, in Kazakhstan. Some died during the difficult path, as it was winter. Why am I remembering these events? In 2007 the director Melnikov presented the movie headlined “Propaganda Team “Hammer the Enemy!” This movie twice says that Kalmyks and Karachays were betrayers, they presented a horse with a golden snaffle to Hitler, and so on. Everybody knows why was this myth created, historians would confirm my words. However, this movie isn’t forbidden. I’m against any censorship as a lawyer, but it seems some censorship is necessary. Such things insult memory of heroes of the Great Patriotic War – Karachays, Chechens, Ingushs, Russians and others, who fought close to each other. It is well-known how many Vainakhs died during first days of the war in the Brest Fortress. Such things should be detected by the state. Some positive changes are observed, especially since Putin has come to power. I hope this work will continue. However, there are some unpleasant moments, and they should be overcome. Director of the Caucasiology Center of RSUH, Ismail Agakishiyev All speeches by the participants confirm necessity of the initiative by RIA Novosti and Vestnik Kavkaza on creating a site devoted to the contemporary history of the North Caucasus peoples. As for the history of Russia. This year is the year of Russian history. Our state was strong most of all, when its people were not separated. The Caucasus is characterized by pride, freedom, friendship and consolidation. You cannot survive in mountains without these features. The territory of the Caucasus could be attached to any country, but the spirit of the Caucasus cannot be conquered, and the history proves it. The Caucasians considered Russia as their own country. Since the late XIXth century the Caucasians have been serving for Russia. The Caucasians asked Nikolai II not to demise. Of course, we should remember tragic pages of the Second World War. We should study this theme objectively for nobody could speculate on it, as it touches not only peoples of the Caucasus, but also all those, who were born in Russia.