Akhmed Zakayev, Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, has published a statement related to the 23rd anniversary of “The Day of Restoration of State Independence of the Chechen nation”.

Here it is:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!

06.09.2014

Dear compatriots!

The history of the centuries-old struggle of the Chechen people for their independence is not only full of examples of mass heroism, but also filled with tragedy, genocide and deportation. The first Russian colonialists who pursued the devious plans of conquest of the Caucasus, were met by the strong armed resistance. After realizing that they encountered with freedom-loving people in Caucasus, the Russian colonisers already did not console themselves with hope to get new bondservants and openly declared their intention to destroy the Caucasians. The Caucasian-Russian war which wasn’t seen precedently in world history, began with severity for a long duration. And Chechnya became a stronghold of the core of resistance against the Russian soldiers. This war has continued from century to century, and for the entire generations of Chechens, it has became the only way of life, and shaped the culture, even the world view of the Chechen people. Clothing, lifestyle, national cuisine, architecture, music, literature and folklore – all sides of Chechen people’s life experienced with the indelible impact of this endless war.

History teaches us that the struggles for freedom and national dignity generate the most brilliant and courageous heros; and the history of Chechen people is a bright confirmation of this pattern.

So many fearless and proud heroes who gave their lives in the fight against invaders, raised the motherland! And so many glorious Chechen daughters have given and continue to give their lives for the freedom of their homeland in this cruel battle! So much pain and suffering, anxiety and despair that the Chechen mothers keep in their hearts and on their shoulders! And so many courage, patience, faith and iman were shown by our elders! Today, we are and tomorrow, our grateful descendants, will remember their courage and heroism, composing legends about them and pray to Almighty God to accept their valiant ghazavat!

The last 23 years of hard struggle didn’t break the spirit of our people, and even didn’t shake our firm conviction to the liberation of our homeland; our independent state is a matter of near future, inshaAllah!

Today we already became the witnesses of the geopolitical changes in the world which about 20 years ago, when the leadership of the Chechen state warned, but everybody had refused to believe it. Everybody, but not us. We knew that this would happen and we know what will be after this!

May Almighty help us, and give us strength to overcome all trials!

Akhmed Zakayev
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria