Union of Chechen Journalists indignant at "Freedom of Speech" program shown by NTV TV Channel

We call your attention to extracts from the statement issued by the Union of Journalists of the Chechen Republic:

"The Union of Chechen Journalists expresses a stern protest against the informational war started by some Russian politicians through the central media against the Chechen people. In particular, it was displayed in the course of the "Freedom of Speech" program broadcasted by NTV TV Channel on February 6, 2004."

"The proposals expressed by State Duma deputies Dmitry Rogozin and Sergey Glazyev to declare war against "ethnic delinquency" and form volunteer units from young men to take part in this war are inevitably come under the article of the Criminal Code "Funning interethnic strife". Nikolay Kharitonov, another State Duma deputy, suggests "cleaning Moscow out", and Aleksandr Nevzorov, who has a scandalous reputation, declares peremptorily that there are no ordinary Chechens at all (that is to say, they all are terrorists). Anatoly Kulikov, former Russian Interior Minister, completes the informational attack. He thinks that ground must burn under the Chechen's feet."

"By calls for violence, some statesmen make themselves standing on the same level with the terrorists."

"We hold the political leadership of Russia must immediately place a barrier to such provocative attacks in the media."

"We believe that television must not and cannot substitute itself for the judicial bodies and bring in verdicts." "It is illegal to arrogate the committed terrorist act, which no one assumes responsibility for, to whoever it may be before investigation. Besides, it has been acknowledged by the whole world long ago that delinquency has no nationality. If there are no Russian bandits, there must not be Chechen ones."

Board Chairman of the Union of Chechen Journalists Yusupov