SOUTH AFRICA: MOSLEMS PROTEST AGAINST RUSSIAN MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN CHECHYNA

Record ID: 347287

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: MOSLEMS PROTEST AGAINST RUSSIAN MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN CHECHYNA
  • Date: 7th January 2000
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (JAN 7, 2000) (REUTERS) 1. SLV: VARIOUS MOSLEM MARCHERS IN CENTRAL CAPE TOWN 0.08 2. SV: MARCHERS CARRYING BANNERS AGAINST RUSSIA'S MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN CHECHNYA (2 SHOTS) 0.21 3. SV: PROTESTERS (2 SHOTS) 0.42 4. SV: POLICE 0.50 5. SV: MARCHERS BURNING RUSSIAN AND U.S. FLAGS AND CHANTING "DEATH TO RUSSIA,
  • Embargoed: 22nd January 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVA8ZBHI6EO227TUP56J1OU132Y5
  • Story Text: South African Moslems have protested against Russia's
    military campaign in Chechnya.

    Up to a thousand militant South African Moslems
    marched through Cape Town on Friday (January 7), chanting
    anti-Russian and anti-U.S.slogans.The focus of protest was
    Moscow's continuing military campaign in Chechnya.

    The demonstration, organised by the radical Moslem
    movement Qibla, stalled traffic in the centre of Cape Town and
    was guarded by scores of heavily armed police and soldiers.

    Achmat Cassiem, leader of Qibla, told reporters the
    Chechen rebels had every right to defend their land.

    "When colonialists and imperialists enter the countries
    of the people that they oppressed, colonised and exploited,
    they come so not with a peacemeal project, they come there
    with force and therefore the first reaction of the oppressed
    masses should be to retaliate in
    kind," said Cassiem.

    Friday's march was also organised to mark the end of the
    Moslem holy month of Ramadan.

    The marchers also set fire to U.S., and Russian flags
    during the protest which was also attended by members of the
    Moslem vigilante group People Against Gangsterism and Drugs
    (PAGAD).

    PAGAD, which has been blamed by police of being behind a
    series of bomb attacks on Cape Town restaurants and police
    stations, grew out of the shadowy Qibla about four years ago.

    PAGAD denies the accusation and police have yet to secure
    a single conviction for the recent wave of bombings.


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