Four activists from the Union of Soldiers’ Mothers Committees, led by Valentina Melnikova (picture), will meet with Chechen rebel Aslan Maskhadov’s envoy in London today to discuss how to stop the war in the Chechen Republic.  (25-FEB-05)

Valentina Melnikova, the head of the Union of Soldiers’ Mothers Committees, a leading anti-draft group, said the group would meet on Friday with Akhmed Zakayev, Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov’s envoy in London.

– First of all, we want to listen to him, we want to know the Chechen commanders’ position … their plans, possibilities and preconditions, said Melnikova. She hopes that this meeting will make clear Chechen rebel’s position, whether they are ready for peace negotiations and what is necessary for peace.

– I hope for support from the deputies of the European Parliament who have kindly agreed to act as observers at our meeting, Melnikova told Ekho Moskvy radio.

The group was prevented from meeting with Zakayev in Brussels last November when the Belgian government failed to provide them with visas and threatened to bar Zakayev from the country. The Russian government has refused to negotiate with Chechen rebels, describing them as terrorists, and has criticized the NGO’s attempts to meet with their representatives.

Russian officials have criticized Britain repeatedly over its decision to provide asylum to Zakayev.

Despite of all obstacles the Union of Committees of Soldiers’ Mothers has not refused their intentions, and as a result Friday negotiations at the European Parliament office in London will be.


About the Soldiers’ Mothers Committee:

The organization was founded in 1991 and provides practical assistance to conscripts and their families.

The situation for military servicemen and conscripts in the Russian army is grave. Soldiers’ Mothers assist people through the process of appealing for exemption from and/or deferment of military service for reasons of health, extreme family hardship, or conscientious objection.

The group also helps to provide medical and legal consultation as well as moral support and education on legal rights and how to exercise them.

Situated at the Russian Research Center for Human Rights, The Soldiers’ Mothers Committee is member of the Human Rights House Network. It received the Rafto Prize in 1995.