AN APPEAL
Coordinating Council of the Club of International Marine Brotherhood (CIMB)
(peacemaking international - patriotic public organization)
May 28, 1996 Nakhodka
Brothers and Sisters!
In July 1992, our organization made an attempt to implement an "International Peace March" from Nakhodka, through cities of Russia and former Soviet republics, to the war zone of Pridnestrov'ye. During those days, the "Nakhodka Worker" published an article containing: our opinion about the situation that had developed there; a description of our goals and tasks which we wanted to achieve during this march of people's diplomacy, a non-violent, citizens' peacemaking action; and a request to all businesses and organizations, to all citizens, to help with donations.
In the former USSR nationality conflicts were already blazing, and in that article (interview) were the words, "If we don't come help our neighbor put out the fire today, then tomorrow the fire may come to our house". At that time, a symbolic "Peace Camp" stood in the center of town for several days, the third up to that time. People expressed understanding, but in everyone was felt a certain "far east" aloofness from the problem, which seemed particularly "far west". The International Peace March did not take place. We had almost no funds, not a kopeck was given in donations....
Time passed, more stormy for our country. Time and again and with serious cause we continued our work in the city and outlying regions. Know that we did everything that we had the strength to do.
During those years "in the west" (as we say seaside), only already closer, in Chechnya, criminal incidents had grown into a civil war, the "reckonings of the politicians" resounded in the clanking of the tracks of "federal" tanks. And coffins began arriving at the homes of our seaside families. FROM THERE.
CHECHNYA....even in the kitchen it seems, people are tired of arguing about who is right or wrong in this war. The question of using violence on her land should be closed on principle. Allegorically, the interests of the opposing sides, "plusses" and "minuses", have capitally fused, have even melted together at points of contact. The current of the war can flow endlessly in the battery of death it has formed. PEACE can be established on the basis of goodwill, on the basis of negotiations. And in order that this finally become reality, this current must be stopped by inserting into the circuit of violence not a semi-conductor of the "peacemaking forces" type, but a non-conductor, an insulator, a kind of NEUTRAL matter.
Only UNARMED PEOPLE of various nationalities, faiths, coming from varied countries and territories of the Earth, but identical in their sincere and convinced refusal to accept war as a possible solution to the problem, can become this NEUTRAL, PEACEMAKING medium. They must be PEOPLE OF GOODWILL, PEOPLE WITH PEACE IN THEIR HEARTS. And it is very important, that they not wear the faces of GOVERNMENTS or NATIONALITIES, representing Yeltsin or Dudaev, but only themselves, creations of God, endowed with FREEDOM, CONSCIENCE, and COMPASSION.
With these thoughts today begins with us, but with you the new "International Peace March", Nakhodka- Chechnya, will continue, and God grant that it not meet with failure. Quite naturally, not every one of you, for various reasons, can take direct part, but you can show your solidarity by assisting with all the means at your disposal in spreading the news, in transportation, in donations, sharing what you can, money or things that will be essential on such a long road and for a task that is far from simple. And in Chechnya itself, food, medicines, and other things are needed today by many.
As one Chinese wise saying goes: "The road of a thousand li begins with the first step." And it has been made. Let our path west be good, following the sun. Let its rays shine love on us and
LET THERE BE PEACE IN YOUR HOME!
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Goals of conducting the "International Peace March", Nakhodka-Chechnya:
1. To implement people's diplomacy in Chechnya, display an anti-war mood and demonstrate goodwill from residents of various regions of Russia and other countries, independent of their social status, nationality, faith and political views;
2. Practical assistance in creating conditions essential for fighting to cease in Chechnya and for reaching a alanced solution to the current problem through negotiations, taking into account the unfalsified true wishes of the Chechen people;
3. To render what direct practical help we can for the needs of the peaceful Chechen population, restoration of people's destroyed homes and property;
Tasks of the "International Peace March":
a) To attract public attention to the human tragedy and violation of human rights taking place on Chechnya's land;
b) To search for volunteers, those wishing to take direct part in the process of acquiring and strengthening peace, restoration of people's homes and property in Chechnya;
c) Creation of an informal citizens' union with an active social platform of supporters of peace and friendship between peoples;
d) Collection of funds to help the Chechen population who have suffered;
e) To study public opinion, how government, political and other structures react to the Action
Form of conduction of the Action:
a) Movement through cities of Russia from Nakhodka to the borders of the Chechen republic, in various regions attracting the help of local residents, means of mass communication, voluntary organizations, government and commercial structure;
b) Creation of temporary settlements - "Peace Camps" along the route of movement and on the territory of Chechnya.
Time of beginning of the Action: May 28, 1996
The first participants in the "International Peace March" gathered in the "Peace Camp" (PC), in the center of the city of Nakhodka from June 4-9 1996, the group (4 persons) left from Nakhodka on June 11, 1996. June 12, 1996 - arrival in Vladivostok. From June 14 - 19 camp "PC" in the central square in the Sport harbour. Nearly all newspapers, radio and television stations made announcements/reports about the "PC". "Vladivostok News", "ITAR-TASS", "New York Times", "CNN", and "Vzglyad" took information. June 21, 1996, the group (8 people) - departure for Khabarovsk. From June 23-30 - camp "PC" in the center of this city. GTRK and "CET" TV stations reported on this. Information was given to "Hokkaido Simbun". Announcement on Radio "Olimp", articles in "Tikhookeanskaya Zvezda" and "Presentye k chayu". Camp "PC" in Blagovyeshchensk from July 5-11, 1996. Articles in Amurskaya Pravda and "Blagovyeshchensk". Television reports by "GTRK" and "Art-gorod". Arrival and camp from July 23-30 "Peace Camp" in Neryungri. Two volunteers joined the group. Articles in "Industria Severa", detailed report about the "PC" over a period of three days on local television. Information distributed by the Yakutsk Information Agency, article in the newspaper "Respublika Sakha". Camp "PC" in Chita from August 12-18. August 15 - joint "Peace Watch" with the Chita Anti-War Committee and "Food for Life" organization. Article in the paper "Zabaikal'skiy Rabochiy". Reports on 3 TV stations, 40-minute program. Radio announcements. One volunteer. Camp "PC" in Irkutsk from August 23. Further destinations in Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, etc...
August 26, 1996