2
Campus News
Chechnya talks revisit forgotten conflict
□ With world
wide attention on
Afghanistan, war is
put on bacic burner.
JONi Smith
Managing Editor
A scries of lectures spon
sored by the History and Poli
tics club began last night with a
talk by a Meredith professor
focusing on the turbulence in
Chechnya.
Dr. Greg Vitarbo, a newcom
er to the Meredith faculty, gave
a lecture titled ‘‘Chechnya and
Russia: At the Crossroads,” a
topic exploring the conflicts in
the .semi autonomous republic
of the former Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (USSI^.
Vitarbo explained that this
title seemed appropriate
because at the present time, the
conflict is at a crossroads and
while there is speculation about
what will happen.
Vitarbo opened by giving a
brief overview of the Chechen
War. In 1991, with the fall of
the Soviet Union and commu
nism, many republics asserted
independence. Chechnya was
one republic that claimed that it
was no longer subject to Russ
ian rule.
The Chechens were allowed
a facade of independence until
1994 when Boris Yeltsin
assumed power in Russia.
“He was not a very popular
leader, so he needed a distrac
tion,” Vitarbo said. “Attacking
the: Chechens seemed, at the
time, to be
a distrac
tion that
would end
favorably
and give
him more
support."
When
t h e
Chechens
mounted a
surprising
ly strong
resistance
to the
Russian
m ilitary,
the already
demoral
ized and
ill-prepared
Russian
.soldiers
were dealt
another
blow.
In 1995
the Russians relented in their
attacks with the condition that
the Chechens had five years to
decide their fate.
In 1999 Vladimir Putin rose
to power in Rus.sia and began
the second stage of the
Chechen War due to the
Chechen’s unwillingness to
submit to Russian authority.
This stage lasted until earlier
this year when Putin realized
his army was once again get-
Photo CoiiRTiiSY of www.amina.com
ting nowhere and called for
peace negotiations instead.
Vitarbo says the conflict
over Chechnya has not ended.
There have been no negotia
tions met yet, and the end
seems to be nowhere in sight
since the rest of the world has
“turned a blind eye to the situ
ation in Chechnya since Sept.
11 because where once the
Chechen War was looked upon
as a human rights case. Many
countries
are now
excusing
Russia's
actions
due to the
link
between
the
Chechen
rebels and
Osama
B i n
Laden.”
Many
believe
Bin Laden
encour
aged, sup-
ported,
trained
and possi
bly even
funded the
Chechens.
Vitarbo,
along with
the Steer
ing Committee of the History
and Politics Club, was con
cerned with the increasingly
forgotten Chechen conflict.
TTiis concern led to the series
now in progress to better edu
cate and entertain questions
concerning Chechnya.
Outside of Russia, the
Chechen conflict is a relatively
forgotten skirmish. This is
partly due to the ban on foreign
journalists into Chechnya.
Putin has also closed MTV,
one of the only independent
television stations in Russia
that adequately gives the entire
picture of the Chechen War
including the human rights
infringements of the Russians
and the poor condition of the
Russian military.
These are both aspects of the
conflict Russian officials strive
to keep out of public attention.
The series on Chechnya will
continue in the spring with
another lecture and discussion
by Erin McClain, a Meredith
Alum who has done extensive
work in the Chechen War
including travel, research and
.serving as a guest lecturer at
various institutions around the
country.
“This topic involved so
many countries and so many
aspects of world affairs that it
cannot be ignored," Vitarbo
said.
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Meredith Study abroad in Italy.
Switzerland, and England
Summer 2002
DATE: THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 29
TIME: 8 P.M. PLACE: CHAPEL COMMON ROOM
Have you been chinking of summer school' Wl^ study in Greensboro
or RaJeigh when you could be saidying abroad in Italy, Swiaerland or
Eflgfandf Come find out frwn the experts what Meredith's summer
program has to ofl^ yout Those who studied abroad last summer wiH
be on hand to share pictures, stories and words of wisdom.
Augustine said "the world is a book and those who do not travel read
only one page." Now ts the time to turn the page. Study abroad next
summer!
Vick Atro«4 Sutu
124 H«U
Hcrtdlth Cell«f«
NC 27«07-Sm
Ph«a«;
F»a: 9I9.7M*2)9I
ale»f»k^ai«r*4ili.cdu
UftL www.m«r«4lch.«4u/4^roft4
CoVe{e Office ol
Study Abroad
Director, Dr. Betty Webb
Avfram Auitc... KcB Ahom
Meredith Service
Awards for 2002-03
President Hartford has identified funds that will be used to provide
another round of service awards in the amount of $1,500 to recognize
undergraduate students who have rtiade outstanding contributions to the
community through leadership activities and/or service. Eligible stu
dents are encouraged to apply.
Requirements:
1) Be a currently enrolled freshman, sophomoni or junior ta
ing a full-time program of study;
2) Be in good standing, with a Meredith OPA of at least 2.25;
3) Have financial need, which is defined for this purpose as
documented financial need that has not been fully met or
as unusual financial circumstances that warrant special co
sideration;
4) Give evidence of significant contributions to the Colleg
or to the wider community, either through leadership roles
or through service.
5) Be recommended by a Meredith faculty or staff member or
by a community member familiar with her service contr
butions.
Application forms available in the otTices of the President, Financial
Assistance and Dean of Students or from Class presidents.
Deadline:
File applications in the Olfice of the President by Dec. 5,2001. Stu
dents who already have a Meredith Service Award do not need to reap
ply, as the awards are renewable provided the criteria for renewal is
met.Questions? Contact Sue Kearney. Dean of Enrollment Plan
ning and Institutional Effectiveness.