PROGRAM FOR THE REBIRTH OF THE CIRCASSIANS
“FHOENIX”
Dear compatriot
You belong to the Adygei, Abkhaz and Abaza people who are known
all over world as Circassians and added a glorious page to the history
of the world civilization. Their centennial heroic struggle for motherland,
freedom, honor and pride; (the deaths of hundreds thousands people,
the destruction of ethnic psychology, and the loss of country which was
the home of our ethnic genesis and evolution for thousands year) has been
turned into a tragic defeat.
When the dissolution of the Caucasus people became official
policy, the exiled were forced to live in other countries and our people
were threatened with near extinction. Until present day we continue to
contribute to the political and economic needs of our adoptive lands, and
it is clear that we are used to enrich the quantity of those nations that
we are living with. Whilst neglecting our true ethnic origin. According
to official estimates, in fifty years time, the Circassian language will
no longer exist in practice. Perhaps the only way to avoid this is through
the repatriation of the old Circassians so wishing to return to their motherland.
In the Caucasus our people live in four separate Republics,
no suitable conditions exist as yet for the consolidation of former unification,
nor an agenda for national interests that benefits every member. And so,
they are leaving their state for other states or places in Russia or even
abroad in order to have a better fortune. We need to find a common economic
and political solution that provides well educated and professional circassions
with an opportunity to fulfill their potential within their homeland instead
of elsewhere. The waste of potential clearly results in brain leakage and
loss of capital and a scarcity of intellectual developments; working to
dilute, or weaken, our common genes.
For those who stay in their homeland, the centralization of
power means that Local Authorities are unable to tend to their specific
interests; there are no provisions for social an economic support, and
as such, little opportunity for personal fulfillment in well paid occupations
or for the realization of higher goals.
Each Circassian should face up to his own responsibility regardless
of where they live; we must unify the Circassians in order to provide a
global definition for national interest and to allow a real revival of
Circassian culture.
The International Circassian Association was organized to tell
about Circassian problems to the rest of the world. So, and after more
than one century of silence, we are able to make our voice heard by the
whole world. We told about a people in need of help solving their problems.
However, to speak about it is not enough. Currently, membership fees are
not an inadequate means of sustaining the foundation, we need the financial
support of all the fellow compatriots and assistance from other industrial
and financial organizations. In order to be in word and deed not just by
word of mouth, our association need to have a very strong financial and
material base. It is not enough to have regional organizations and cultural
centers to depend on their support only. Maybe we can make a very interesting
program, but we can not achieve anything without an effective support of
the native industrial and financial sections, as well as, those abroad.
Each member should understand that we, as a people, are in the
process of development and we need a common sympathy if our culture is
to survive. We have little time to reflect and doubt, we must protect our
heritage by becoming a component in the process of revival. To whom the
destiny of his children and grandsons is dear, and to those who went to
preserve their nation, are responsible to bring in their feasible contribution
to rebirth our nation because it need a very huge amount of materially
support. The time has come to collect our strength and to protect our culture
for future generations. The practices of other organizations has show us
that it is essential to maintain constant sponsorship, and that without
this we cannot solve our national problems nor realize our aims for revival.
According to the resolution of the Congress, on the 25.10.1996,
The International Circassian Association registered with the Russian Ministry
of Justice as:
1. The International Circassian Foundation, (Agenda For The
Rebirth Of The Circassians) reg.¹3307.
2. The International Circassian Voluntary Organization. reg.
¹3305.
Both organizations have opened accounts in the town of Cherkesk,
accounts with the banks of Nalchick, Sukhum, Maykop, Lazarevskoe, Turkey,
Syria, Jordan, Germany, USA and other countries. The accounts are opened
to everybody and any amount is acceptable, however, we hope primarily for
financial support from all Adygei, Abkhaz and Abaza people. Each Circassian
should make the suggested contribution of $ 1 per. annum. We implore you
to assist in the formation and maintenance of the foundation; all financial
assistance will remain under the control of you, the sponsor. We believe
that all the Circassians will unite in strength to realize the common aims
of the Foundation and to ensure the heritage of our future generations.
International Foundation For The Rebirth Of Circassians.
Please contact: National Museum of Republic
of Adygheja, Sovietskaya str.229
Maykop 352700 Republic of Adygheja
Russian Federation tell/fax 87722-24295
CONTENTS