13 May 2004 17:27
Situation of Chechen refugees in Austria improving - rebel agency
12 May: According to the latest reports from our correspondent in Austria, Molla Mulayev, the situation of Chechen
refugees in this country has started changing for the better. Thus, the Austrian authorities have granted judicial
status to the Chechen refugee organization under the official name of the Democratic Union of Chechens in Austria
(DUCA). This organization is known as a cultural centre among the refugees.
The organization is headed by Visita Ibragimov, who has said that they intend to hold the first gathering of Chechen
refugees on 14 May. The gathering will discuss organizational measures. It is planned to set up regional organizations
of Chechen refugees who are scattered throughout Austria. Mass cultural work among the Chechens, as well as the creation
of a football club will be discussed.
The DUCA leadership stresses noticeable improvements in the situation of the refugees. Our correspondent commented on
some reports about the alleged unworthy behaviour of the Chechen refugees in Europe. He said that many of them are not
true. For instance, in view of the fact that the inflow of Chechen refugees is too high, the population of European
countries might not notice the substantial difference between the Armenians, Georgians, Moldovans on the one hand and
the Chechens on the other. For this reason, almost all cases of petty larceny and criminal offences by the said group of
refugees are put down to the Chechens.
It must be noted that such offences run counter to the mentality of the Chechens who understand their responsibility
and try to be correct.
However, conflicts occur between the Chechens and former citizens of the USSR when they try to insult the national
dignity of the highlanders [Chechens]. Knife fights occasionally occur as well. Usually, the elderly manage to settle
the arguments. Possibly, this is the ill intention of the Russian special services which organize provocations with the
aim of preventing Chechen refugees from arriving in European countries.
[Passage omitted: Chechens abroad were happy about pro-Moscow Chechen leader Akhmat Kadyrov's death]
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