(20 Feb 1995) Russian/Nat
The war in Chechnya again took centre stage in Moscow today.
Parliamentary hearings into the conflict opened as well as a week of
anti-war demonstrations.
And the war is just as unpopular with those forced to participate. APTV filmed an Interior Ministry detachment preparing to go to the front and found them very unwilling.
The hearings started with a moment's silence for those who have
fallen during the conflict. It had the feeling of a courtroom and on
trial was the government's decision to wage war in the Caucasus.
A former KGB chief sat next to a democratic leader and a human rights commissioner - all from opposing sides of the political spectrum but united today in their condemnation of the war, and of Boris Yeltsin in particular.
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
Even a head of state cannot take upon himself completely a problem of such magnitude. But he did and so it follows that the responsibility for all that followed lies with him.
SUPER CAPTION: SERGEI KOVALEV, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER
The commission heard the opinions of a variety of public figures, including those with a few scores to settle.
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
But the aim of taking Grozny in 2 days, improving his rating and re-establishing his popular image no doubt pushed the President into this crime.
SUPER CAPTION: ALEXANDER RUTSKOI, FORMER RUSSIAN VICE-PRESIDENT
But even though the hearings carry the full backing of the Russian Parliament there was the feeling, however, that they really don't count for much.
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
In principle I don't expect anything, especially as it seems people are doing everything to cover up the truth. I think everyone knows who is guilty for getting involved in this conflict and tragedy.
SUPER CAPTION: RUSLAN KHASBULATOV, FORMER SPEAKER OF
PARLIAMENT
The feeling was shared by the handful of demonstrators who picketed the former KGB building this morning. Two months of protest have born little fruit and not even passers-by could be bothered to stop. But for these hardened demonstrators it's the principle that counts.
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
The authorities pay no attention whether it's a small picket or a big demonstration. It's not the number that matters but your own personal position.
SUPER CAPTION: ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATOR
The only people who can have an effect now are those who have to fight in this meaningless war. At the weekend a detachment of the elite Interior Ministry forces from St Petersburg left for Grozny where they will replace the Russian army. They were far from enthusiastic.
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
They gave us our orders, armed us and gave out uniforms but we don't know where we are going and what for. We've all got children and families, you understand?
SUPER CAPTION: OMON soldier
The official line is that no soldier is forced to fight in Chechnya but according to these men they were given no choice. They are in no mood to fight the Chechens and harbour hatred for their commanding officers
SOUNDBITE: (RUSSIAN)
I would prefer to use these knives and daggers to cut the throats of the top brass that is sending us. Nobody asks us at all whether we want to go or not. We got orders. But why, what for, who needs all this
SUPER CAPTION: OMON soldier
The last OMON detachment to go to Chechnya lost 10 of their colleagues. With the breakdown in the ceasefire, it is highly likely that Parliamentary hearing or no Parliamentary hearing, not all these men will return home at the end of their 45-day tour.
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