Politics
Attack on Kabardino-Balkaria hydroelectric plant exposes government’s weakness
Reading Time: 4 minutesOn July 21, a group of militants in Kabardino-Balkaria launched a bold attack on the Baksan hydroelectric plant, ransacked the facility and rendering it unusable after a series of explosions.
by Valery Dzutsev
On July 21, a group of militants in Kabardino-Balkaria launched a bold attack on the Baksan hydroelectric plant, ransacked the facility and rendering it unusable after a series of explosions. Two policemen who were guarding the plant were killed in the raid. The attack drew significant attention from the Russian government and media. Gazeta.ru called the attack the first successful assault of the insurgency on a strategic object in Russia (www.gazeta.ru, July 21). Geidar Jemal, the Chairman of Russia’s Islamic Committee, considered the assault to be “a huge scandal around the impossibility of holding these Olympic Games [in neighboring Sochi]” (Kommersant, July 21).
Despite the fact that the destruction of the hydroelectric plant did not lead to a major disruption in the supply of electricity to Kabardino-Balkaria, the Russian government’s reaction was unusually brusque and nervous. It became a moment of truth for Moscow’s envoy to the North Caucasus, Aleksandr Khloponin, who has faced his greatest crisis so far since being dispatched to the region in January 2010. Khloponin used the harshest and the most informal words, calling the insurgents “brutalized louts,” which probably betrayed his exasperation and despair with the destabilization that is unfolding in the region of his responsibility. However, perhaps the single most important blunder Khloponin made was when he suggested that Cossacks should be assigned to guard vulnerable infrastructure sites in Kabardino-Balkaria (Kommersant, July 21).
Khloponin’s statement has the great potential to have an incendiary effect in this multiethnic region, where ethnic Russians comprise 25 percent of the general population, which is approaching one million, while the Kabardins, aka Circassians, comprise 55 percent of the population and the Turkic-speaking Balkars make up 12 percent. Khloponin’s proposal means that Moscow regards ethnic Russians as its only loyal and trustworthy subjects in Kabardino-Balkaria, automatically putting them at loggerheads with the rest of the local population. Khloponin is unlikely to proceed with his shallow-minded plan to install the Cossacks as some sort of new regional elite; nevertheless, his remark showed his nervousness and poor knowledge of the region.
President, Dmitry Medvedev, contributed to the range of misplaced government reactions. He demanded that the law enforcement agencies and businesses do everything they can to prevent future attacks. He threatened that if such an attack were to happen again, “not one of the heads of the law enforcement agencies and companies would remain in place. All would be fired” (ITAR-TASS, July 22). The problem with this statement is that now, if somebody wants to get rid of a certain official figure in Kabardino-Balkaria and beyond, he might be tempted to bribe the insurgents to launch another attack of similar scope.
In fact, the President of Kabardino-Balkaria, Arsen Kanokov, may well have been the main target of the attack on the Baksan hydroelectric plant himself. Kanokov’s first presidential term runs out in September 2010. According to Khloponin, the uncertainty about the future of presidency in Kabardino-Balkaria and the latest attack were directly linked (www.kavkaz-uzel.ru, July 22). Earlier, on July 9, Arsen Kanokov had stated that destabilization of the situation in the republic had to do with his expiring term and certain shadowy forces were trying to show Moscow that he did not control the situation in the republic and thereby prevent him from being elected to a second presidential term (www.kavkaz-uzel.ru, July 10).
The police designated the head of the Baksan jamaat, 31-year-old Kazbek Tashuev (aka Abdul-Jabbar) as the primary suspect in organizing the attack on the Baksan hydroelectric plant. The situation in the republic has dramatically deteriorated following the March 24 killing of the leader of Kabardin jamaat, Anzor Astemirov. Attacks are now occurring on a routine daily basis in what had been a previously relatively quiet corner of the North Caucasus. Official statistics indicate that since the beginning of 2010, law enforcement personnel have been the target of 40 insurgent attacks that left 14 servicemen dead and an equal number wounded (Kommersant, July 22).
There are several sources of discontent breeding violence in Kabardino-Balkaria. First, violent actions have replaced the participatory political process, as elections for local governors were abolished by Moscow in 2004 and the electoral institutions degraded. Second, the issue of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which Circassians connect to the issue of the Circassian “genocide,” given that Sochi was inhabited by Circassians who were partly exterminated and deported as the Russian empire encroached on their lands in the nineteenth century. Third, the rising Islamic consciousness of the local Muslim populations is coming into conflict with a fervently secularist Russian state that at the same time tends to discriminate in favor of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition, there is a simmering interethnic rift between the Kabardins and the Balkars, deriving from the issue of land ownership, which has a strong ethnic connotation in this comparatively densely populated area.
The militant insurgency in Kabardino-Balkaria has become so strong in recent months that businesses reportedly are now required to pay the insurgents money “for jihad” in order to continue functioning safely. Insurgents have attacked alcohol sellers in Baksan in the past, while unknown assailants have attacked relatives of the militant leaders.
In February 2010, Doku Umarov, the leader of the Caucasus Emirate, of which the Kabardin jamaat is a part, announced a campaign of targeting infrastructure across Russia. The attack on the hydroelectric plant in Kabardino-Balkaria confirmed the seriousness of Umarov’s threat and is likely to lead to increased security measures across the North Caucasus, especially against regional industrial sites. The Russian government’s new strategy of working for the rapid economic development of the North Caucasus and the consequent appointment of Aleksandr Khloponin as Moscow’s envoy to the region was severely undermined as a result of the recent attack. The ability of the Russian security services to control all of the potentially vulnerable objects as well as hazardous materials may have natural constraints that make the safety issue ever more relevant in the North Caucasus and beyond.
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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