MOSCOW: Russian Cossack leaders demanding self-rule for their war like rural communities won sympathy recently from nationalist politicians and generals rebuilding Russia’s army.
Persecuted for much of the 70 years of the Soviet rule, the atamans at the great council of the Cossack Union cut pre-revolutionary figures in high-collared uniforms and Tsarist moustaches. But their influence in today’s Russia is constantly increasing.
Although they originated in the great Russian steppes on the banks of the river Don, and in Ukraine, large numbers settled in Siberia after it was conquered by the Cossack leader Yermak in the 16th century, traditionally choosing border regions,
Others were later exiled there by Stalin after the disbandment of the fearsome Second World War Cossack Cavalry. Cossacks fought on the side of Russian separatists in the Moldovan enclave of Trans-Dniester and have begun enforcing an often brutal justice in their historic home lands in southern Russia.
Russian government’s policy on the “rebirth of the Cossacks” should give them the right to form military units within the Russian army and to receive land in return for defending the territories they settled, according to a pattern established by the Tsars.
I am firmly convinced that the reborn Cossack units will be the best in the “Russian armed forces,” said the deputy Defence Minister, Colgen Glory Kondratey, to cries of Lyubol-literally “love it!” the Cossack version of “Hear, hear!”
He added that no firm decision on that creation of the forces would be taken until the autumn.
Alexander Rutskoy, the conservative Russian Vice President, said Cossack claims to historic forms of land ownership would be considered with Cossack participation.
Democrats are concerned that having re-established their military might, Russia’s 10 million Cossacks will demand political power, and turn border territories they inhabit into conflict zones fervently nationalistic, they form: a perfect constituency for Rutskoy, who won choruses of support for his calls for the rebirth of Great Russia.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 28, 1992
