Agency Caucasus – The Chechen refugees in Europe sent a written message to both Jalaudin Saralyapov, Parliament Speaker of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and Prime Minister Ahmed Zakayev.
The message came from the Chechens who live in Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Spain, France, Britain, Switzerland, Poland and Germany. It runs as follows:
"We, the Chechens in Europe, feel very sad about the events that take place in Chechnya, our homeland. Here, in foreign lands, our children show constant interest in the heroic history of the Chechen people, and they are also constantly inquiring about the history of the Chechen flag, emblem and anthem. We have not yet lost hope of the near Chechen triumph over the invaders of Russia, a country which has been our enemy for ages.
And we know that nearly all European peoples celebrate their Day of Flag–something which is attached great importance because it helps to make future generations appreciate patriotism. In this regard, we request that the Parliament as well as the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria should announce August 22 as the Flag Day of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, because on August 22, 1991, the Chechens replaced the flag of Russia that had been flying over the roof of the Chechen-Ingush Cabinet building with the flag of their own. On this day each year, children who live in parts of Europe that host Chechen communities can perhaps be invited to join a competition in painting that best depicts the flag as well as emblem of Chechnya. Before we finish our message, we would like to express our full support for the Parliament as well as the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in their efforts to save the constitutional structure of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, where we condemn those who reject the state organization of the Chechen people. CHNWS/ÖZ/HT
