Editor:


I have been amazed at the lack of protest during the last week by western governments and people over Russia's military attack on Chechnya. Perhaps Bosnia, Rwanda and Nagorno-Karabakh have desensitized us?


I returned to Moscow from Ingushetia on Dec. 10. For 10 days, soldiers and weapons had been pouring into the village of Cherman and the region of Mozdok in North Ossetia -- thousands of soldiers plus hundreds of tanks, helicopters and planes poised for the attack that began on Dec. 11th.


Some of the 65,000 Ingush refugees who fled from the attack by Russian troops and Ossetian fighters in North Ossetia in 1992, looked on at the present military buildup in the area in disbelief. Could events similar to those which tore their lives apart two winters ago really be happening again? As of Dec. 9, an estimated 40,000 Chechens and Ingushi had fled from Chechnya to Ingushetia as refugees. Another 30,000 have gone to North Ossetia. These figures are increasing with every hour.


Public opinion in Ingushetia and most republics of the Caucasus, and indeed throughout Russia, appears to be strongly against the assault on Chechnya. Once again President Yeltsin is ignoring the Duma and taking steps to silence his opposition. For example, telephone and other communication links to the office of the chairman of the Duma's Defense Committee were cut. Following criticism of the intervention within the Duma, Yeltsin reportedly has expressed doubts about the future of the Duma as an institution and may be considering its dissolution.


Boris Fyodorov said this week that it wasn't true that Russia was becoming a police state: "It already is a police state," he said.


The Russian government has warned the West that Chechnya is Russia's internal affair. But to what extent can we sit back and watch mass killings, violations of human rights and a serious threat to democracy in Russia in the name of "internal affairs?"


Chris Hunter


Moscow





Act Up on AIDS Law


Editor:


On Monday, Dec. 5, the final draft of the legislation, On the Prevention of the Spread in the Russian Federation of Disease Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-infection) was put on President Yeltsin's desk to await his approval or veto.


The legislation states that all foreigners in the Russian Federation, whether here for work, study, or other reasons, must submit to a test for HIV. Russian citizens will also have to test for HIV in order to engage in certain professions and to receive medical care.


According to the law, any foreigner refusing a test will be deported. Even more disturbing, any foreigner who tests positive for HIV will also be deported.


Mandatory HIV testing is not new in Russia. Since 1987, the Russian medical system has conducted widespread HIV testing of officially identified "risk groups" in the population, including foreigners working or studying in Russia for over three months, often without their consent and or knowledge.


From 1987 to 1993, the Russian government has spent approximately $15 million per year on testing, whereas only $3 million is spent on HIV/AIDS education and prevention, according to Dr. Vadim Pokrovsky of the Russian AIDS Research Center. During this period, thousands of foreigners in Russia have been forced to test for HIV, and hundreds have been deported.


Even if foreigners test negative for HIV, thereby earning the right to be in Russia, there is nothing in the law that will prevent harassment from local health officials who could require repeated testing or proof of an "AIDS-free" certificate. This law will, in effect, facilitate extortion of foreigners who must continually prove they do not constitute a risk to the health of the Russian population.


This law will also force us as members of the foreign community in Russia to divide ourselves between HIV-positives and HIV-negatives. As citizens of various countries already affected by the AIDS epidemic, we know that this is not the way to fight AIDS, and it is not the way to show support and solidarity. Those of us who are HIV-positive have the right to live our lives in a healthy manner free of fear and discrimination. Those of us who are HIV-negative have the right to decide if, when, where and how we are tested.


We encourage everyone to take action while there is still time. Please call and/or fax your embassy in Moscow and ask them to make your concerns known to President Yeltsin's office. Express to them your hope that your country's representatives will not wait until it is too late to help stop this law.


Kevin J. Gardner, Chairman


AESOP Center, Moscow


Vinay P. Saldanha, Program Director


International AIDS Project,


St. Petersburg


Julie Stachowiak, President


AIDS Infoshare Russia, Moscow