IV SESSION III KURULTAY OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR PEOPLE(5 - 6 January 2001) The first day IV session of the III Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people opened on January 5, 2001, in the building of the Simferopol Crimean Tatar musical-dramatic theatre. At the start of the session’s work, 143 delegates out of 167 elected ones were registered. The chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Mustafa Dzhemilev, announced the opening of the session at 11.00 a.m. The Crimean Tatar national hymn and state hymn of Ukraine were played. The Mufti of Crimean Moslems, Khadzhi Emir-Ali effendi, blessed the beginning of the Crimean Tatar people’s Kurultay’s work. The delegates selected the Presidium for the session, which included: Mustafa Dzhemilev, Remsi Ablayev, Dzhulvern Ablyamitov, Abdureshit Dzhepparov, Ayder Mustafayev and Refat Chubarov, and also as the honorable guest of the Kurultay, the People's deputy of Ukraine, chairman of National RUKH Party of Ukraine, Hennadiy Udovenko. The addresses of the guests began with the speech of Hennadiy Udovenko. He noted the symbolism of the fact that the regular session of the Kurultay was being held in a building of a former club of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose forces in the past repressed and deported the Crimean Tatar people from their Motherland. Hennadiy Udovenko noted that of all the states, which were established on post-soviet territory, only democratic Ukraine has taken all efforts in present conditions for returning the Crimean Tatars to their Motherland. He reminded the audience that the founder of the National RUKH Party of Ukraine, Vyacheslav Chornovil, during the period of totalitarianism in correspondence with Mustafa Dzhemilev discussed strategy for returning the Crimean Tatar people to their Motherland. The Crimean Tatar problem frequently was at the center of attention of the leaders of human rights activists of the Helsinki group, which were gathering in the flat of the general Petro Hrihorenko in Moscow. In the conclusion of his statement Hennadiy Udovenko called all for strengthening of the union of National RUKH of Ukraine and Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people in the name of common purposes and establishment of independent Ukraine. The vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers of the ARC, Serhiy Velizhanskyi, congratulated the delegates and guests of Kurultay on the New Year and new Millennium, and wished successes in work of the session. He expressed hope that the decisions taken by the session of the Kurultay will be directed as for the good of the Crimean Tatar people, as for all inhabitants of Crimea. After the election of the Secretary and of the Editorial commission the Kurultay delegates approved the agenda of the session, which included 7 questions:
The offer to include in the agenda a question about the proper name for the native people aroused an impetuous and emotional discussion. The delegates decided to postpone the decision of this question, as untimely and which can result in considerable dissonance in Crimean Tatar society. The proposal of the delegate Sinaver Kadirov to include in the agenda of the session a question about amendments in the Regulations of Kurultay "On the impossibility of combining jobs by the member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people with that of a position of the public official" also was declined by the majority of the delegates’ votes. Then followed the hour and a half long report of the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Mustafa Dzhemilev, on the done work by the bodies of national self-government of Crimean Tatars for the period October 1999 - December 2000. In conclusion of the address, the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people gave his estimation of the draft of the Rules and Regulations for Elections of the Delegates of Kurultay, which was presented for discussion at session. He expressed a wish that “the elections would be held strictly by democratic principles and would elect the most dignified representatives of our people, because only out of their number the permanent acting national representative body - Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people is elected.” The chairman of the Inspection Commission of Kurultay, Ayder Mustafayev, addressed with the report on the work done for the period October 1999 - December 2000. He especially brought to the attention of the delegates the necessity for adoption by the delegates of a decision on the impossibility of combining jobs by the members of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and the position of the public official. Ayder Mustafayev also touched particularly on the difficulties of the solution of a land question and activity of Mejlis on development of mechanisms of fair allotment of land to the Crimean Tatars. The reporter informed, that the Inspection Committee of Kurultay evaluated the activity of Mejlis and concluded that it met their expectations for the accounting period and he expressed his hope that for the remaining time the Mejlis will be able to organize the activity in such a manner that for the new elected delegates of IV Kurultay and new composition of Mejlis, good starting conditions for organization of the activity will be created. After the accounting reports, the debate followed, in which the delegates and some guests of Kurultay, a number of veterans of the Crimean Tatar National Movement, took part. The representative of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people on Central Asia, Ali Khamsin, informed about the situation of the Crimean Tatars, who are forced to remain because of various reasons in their places of deportation. He touched in detail upon the problems of the Crimean Tatars in this region and stated: “Considering the compatriots living in Uzbekistan, as the indissoluble component of the Crimean Tatar people. Nevertheless, we should accept the reality and recognize, that they now constitute one of the components of ours long-suffering nation”. He paid attention, that “the problems faced by this part of the Crimean Tatars, have engendered a tendency for strengthening of their new position, and it, at the same time, significantly influences their plans for return to Crimea”. As a major task of representation in Central Asia, Ali Khamzin has named a continuation of the campaign for obtaining of Ukrainian citizenship by Crimean Tatars, who are living in Uzbekistan. “One of the special obstacles in activity of representation of Mejlis, - the reporter has noted, - is the complexity of giving information to the compatriots on interdependence of questions of citizenship and returning to Motherland. The complexity consists that the defined part of Crimean Tatars in Uzbekistan is sure, that its returning to Motherland should be carried out in the organized order. Therefore it does not give serious importance to obtaining Ukrainian citizenship even before moving to Crimea, perceiving it as something separate and minor. Certainly, such attitude substantially hinders the success of the special campaign to obtain citizenship for deportees in Uzbekistan, and by that greatly prevents accomplishing the important step for the return of Crimean Tatars to their Motherland”. Ali Khamzin called on the delegates of the Kurultay to go on record officially in support of the return of Crimean Tatars to Motherland. This document, probably, may not satisfy the unsophisticated hopes of a limited part of the Crimean Tatars on the organized returning to Crimea. But it should make known the Congress’s opinion about the current status of the process of returning the Crimean Tatar people, which practically was always accomplished at the detriment of the people aspiring by all means to come back to the Motherland. Arsen Alchikov spoke, with anxiety, about the void in the perception of the members of society of the real existence of the Moslem communities. For overcoming such negative tendencies, the Council of imams was established, whose mission is to consider the complex religious questions and to give recommendations. The ongoing contacts with foreign religious organizations and funds should be conducted above all through Muftiat of Crimea. Arsen Alchikov called all Moslems of Crimea for unity in religious life under the elected organs of the Muslim Muftiat. The delegate of Kurultay, veteran of the Crimean Tatar National Movement, poet Refat Chaylak, delivered an emotional speech on the necessity of unity in all spheres of life of the people. The guest of Kurultay, veteran of the Crimean Tatar National Movement, Eldar Shabanov, sharply criticized the activity of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, accusing its members of excessive complacency in the solution of questions on recovering of the political rights of the Crimean Tatar people. The delegate of Kurultay, Enver Kurtiyev, reminded about the basic demands of the Crimean Tatar people, which were put forward during the whole history of the Crimean Tatar National Movement in period of totalitarian regime, and which were reflected in "the Declaration" accepted in 1991. He stressed the most important demand of them - restoration of national statehood of Crimean Tatars. The delegate recommended to the Council of the Representatives of the Crimean Tatar people attached to the President of Ukraine that they put forward these demands at the next session, and in case of their refusal the Council of the Representatives should resign because it is not executing its functions. At that point in the meeting the chairman, Refat Chubarov, called an end to the work of the first day of 4 session of III Kurultay, and said that the next day would begin from discussion and approval of “the Regulation on Elections of the Delegates of Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people”. A concert by famous Crimean Tatar artists was held at the end of the first day of the session for the guest and delegates of the Kurultay. The second day The second day IV of session III Kurultay continued the speeches discussing the accounting reports of the chairman of Mejlis, Mustafa Dzhemilev, and chairman of the Inspection Commission of Kurultay, Ayder Mustafayev. Further, the deputy of the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, Remzi Khavadzhi, addressed the delegates and guests of Kurultay, with congratulatory words. In his speech, he reminded them that the President of Ukraine accepted a number of the documents for the solution of the Crimean Tatar people’s problems, and he expressed hope that the accepted decisions by Kurultay and the decrees also will serve for the good of the Crimean Tatar people. Farid Akchurin, leader of the Moslem Party of Ukraine told briefly about its plans and wished successful work to the Kurultay. The delegate of Kurultay Enver Ametov, in his speech sharply criticized the activity of Mejlis and its leadership. He noted, that, in his opinion, the problems of the Crimean Tatar people not only are not solved, but also even are made more aggravated. Such facts testify on it: Crimean Tatars have lost their representation in the Crimean Parliament; as a result of land reform, the majority of Crimean Tatars have remained without land allotment; the volume of TV and radio broadcast in Crimean Tatar language was reduced; the repressions against the activists of the Crimean Tatar National Movement (trial in Dzhankoyi) have begun. This criticism addressed to the Mejlis and its Chairman was sounded as well in the speeches of the delegates Ziya Khalikov, Ava Azamatova. The Mufti of Moslems of Crimea, Khadzhi Emir - Ali effendi, called all to think of the consequences of their statements and actions so that they will not result in dissonance and opposition. He reminded them that during many years nobody, not even members of KGB (Committee on State Security), could be outspoken. Khadzhi Emir - Ali effendi called for respect for the ideals and leaders and, having united by all together, to go on the chosen path, which will lead the people to development and prosperity. The guest of Kurultay, Timur Dagdzhi, noted, that today in Crimea the aggravation of relations on a inter-confessional base is a pretext. He thinks that outsider provocateurs, having failed to ignite the interethnic conflict on the peninsula, abated by those who are looking to stir up opposition between the representatives of two main religions - Islam and Christianity are bringing about a dangerous situation. The mounting of crosses throughout Crimea and the assault on the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, is glaring confirmation of such provocateurs’ activity, whose purpose is to try to do much harm to independent Ukraine. He called the delegates, to develop such tactics and strategy, which will allow together with independent Ukraine to resist such provocateurs. Refat Chubarov rejected a number of demagogical statements, and recalled the words of the well-known Crimean Tatar educator, Ismail Gasprinskyi, that everyone, who wants to help the people, should begin doing that which is available and is feasible for him. He called on the individual delegates to not seek solace in finding guilty persons, but to make their own efforts in the solution of the present problems. Refat Chubarov, agreeing with the previous address of Timur Dagdzhi, with concern spoke about the obvious aspiration of a current political force on the peninsula to exacerbate the interethnic conflict. Thus, Refat Chubarov noted, that Crimean communists and their leader, Leonid Hrach, support these attempts. At the request of the delegates of the Kurultay, the Chairman of the Mejlis, Mustafa Dzhemilev, addressed them with additional information on the results of the session, which was held on the eve in the Council of Ministers of the ARC with participation of other government officials, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, representatives of religious organizations and law-enforcement agencies on an aggravation of the conflict related to the erecting of an orthodox cross in a settlement Morskoye near Sudak. In turn Mustafa Dzhemilev answered the written questions of the delegates of the Kurultay and gave explanations and commentary on a number of questions, which were mentioned during the debate on the activity of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people for the accounting period. The member of Mejlis, Shevket Kaybulayev, presented the draft on “The Regulations on elections of the delegates of Kurultay” developed by a Working Group, which was elected at the previous session of Kurultay, (October, 1999). A sharp polemic on the electoral system of new convocation of Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people surfaced. Basically the mixed (proportional - majoritarian) and proportional systems of election of the delegates of Kurultay were debated. After discussion, the majority of the delegates accepted for a basis the draft on "The Regulation of elections of the delegates of Kurultay", which was proposed by the Working Group of the Kurultay. During discussion on articles of the draft on “The Regulations” various amendments and additions were made. As a result of voting, the draft with all amendments and additions was approved by 96 votes of the delegates of Kurultay. The Central Elective Commission with a composition of 15 persons was elected by a show of hands. The delegates of Kurultay approved the announcement of the member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Mamedi Chobanov, about him resigning as a member of Mejlis. The delegates of Kurultay taking into account, that there remains less than year until the convocation of a new composition of Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people, accepted the decision not make by-election of two members of Mejlis (instead of died Khalil Mustafayev and drop-out Mamedi Chobanov). In this connection, under this decision the quantitative composition of Mejlis for the period till the convocation of a new composition of Kurultay was defined as 31 persons. The delegates of Kurultay did not support the proposal of Mustafa Dzhemilev about re-election of the chairman of Mejlis. The delegate of Kurultay, Bekir Mamutov, presented the draft of the decision of a question on changing names, surnames and patronymics of Crimean Tatars according to national traditions and customs of the Crimean Tatar people. After discussion and voting, the draft of the decision on the given question was accepted by the majority votes of the delegates of Kurultay. According to this decision on names, surnames and patronymics of Crimean Tatars changes relieving them of borrowed affixes will be introduced. The delegates of Kurultay voted for all amendments, presented by Nadir Bekirov, chair of the Editorial Commission, and approved the final documents of IV of session III Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people. The last question on the agenda of the session - about principles of formation of new convocation of the Verkhovna Rada of the ARC and the representation of Crimean Tatars in the parliament of Crimea - was reserved by the majority of the delegates for consideration by a new composition of Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people, which will be held in the summer of 2001. Summing up the work of the session, the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Mustafa Dzhemilev, addressed to the delegates of Kurultay with the request to take an active participation in the forthcoming elective campaign, active involving of the new people in bodies of national self-government capable and wishing to help their people. He also expressed gratitude to the delegates for constructive and fruitful work, and wished successes to those who again will run for delegates of the Kurultay. Mustafa Dzhemilev expressed his conviction, that the contribution of each of the delegates of the present composition of Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people will be appreciated in a history of the people. The Head of Spiritual Board of Moslems of Crimea, Mufti of Moslems of Crimea Khadzhi Emir - Ali Effendi, also thanking all delegates of Kurultay for rationality of the decisions, accepted by them, led them in prayer in honour of successful end of work of Kurultay. After sounding of the Crimean Tatar National hymn and state hymn of Ukraine the IV session of III Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people finished its work. |