Another oldie but goodie
KHATTAB IS FORMING MILITANT GROUPS TO SEND AFGHANISTAN
One of the Chechen separatist leaders, Jordanian-born Khattab is forming militant groups to send Afghanistan. These groups will mainly consist of Chechens. Our Commentary is by Oleg Nikolaev.
Russia has intelligence that the backbone of the group consists of Shamil Basaev's militants. These militants are expected to leave for Afghanistan shortly. The first group has already left for Afghanistan through Azerbaijan and Turkey to prepare shelter for the militants followed by. All this is done by an agreement reached with the Taleban, consequently with bin Laden's knowledge and approval. Reportedly, from 600 to 800 Chechen mercenaries are now in Afghanistan. Some of them serve as bodyguards to the most wanted terrorist bin Laden. The rest is under the Juma Namagani who commands them and the militants of the Uzbek Islamic movement. It's unclear how the Chechen mercenaries will be distributed but, reportedly, the Taleban command plans to use them as non-commissioned officers to head small militant groups.
Though there is nothing sensational in the report, it is interesting itself since it once again confirms the fact that Chechen separatists, the Taleban and Al Queda headed by bin Laden are integral parts of a single terrorist network enmeshed in the world. The deployment of Chechen militants in Afghanistan is just the regrouping of force started by the international terrorist leaders.
Recruiting mercenaries is also playing according to market-oriented rules. Mercenaries go to the place where they are paid better. Currently, Taleban, Al Queda and bin Laden and other terrorist centres have focused on Afghanistan. Since the financing of Chechen militants has reduced, these so-called fighters for Chechnya's freedom prefer to go to Afghanistan where they are paid much better.
10.29.2001