Russian-Circassian Relations from the Perspective of Russian-Turkish Rapprochement

May 21, 1864, is the symbolic date for the end of the Caucasian Wars and the forced relocation of 95 percent of the people in northwest Caucasia by the Russian Empire from their native lands. Those who survived the war and the genocide took refuge in the Ottoman state. More than half of the people in exile died of hunger or illness within a year. Social traumas are not forgotten. For this reason, Moscow has always been suspicious of the people of Caucasian origin in the Ottoman state and the Republic of Turkey.
 
However, Turkish-Russian relations have been enjoying the best times in 500 years. The lifting of visa requirements in April 2011 has contributed to the improvement of bilateral relations and raised confidence. Turkey and the Russian Federation are continuing to improve these relations in different fields. This will also contribute to the amelioration of relations between Moscow and the Circassians because Turkey hosts the largest Circassian and Abkhaz population in the world. The entire Wubih population is also in Turkey. For this reason, in the 21st century where Russian-Turkish relations are being redefined, Russian-Circassian relations should be re-evaluated from the perspective of Russian-Turkish rapprochement.
 
Russian-Circassian relations: from mistrust to rapprochement
 
There are historical reasons for the lack of trust and tension between Moscow and the Circassian people due to the forced relocation of the Circassian people by the Russian Empire in the aftermath of the Caucasian Wars in 1864 from northwest Caucasia, of the Ottoman-Russian War in 1877-78 and the Cold War.
 
There had been some rapprochement between Russia and the Circassian diaspora after the end of the Cold War because of the collapse of the Soviet Union; the Russian interest in the Kosovar Circassians who were resettled in Maykop in 1999; the recognition of Abkhazia's independence; the increased business volume by the Circassian diaspora in Russia and northwest Caucasia; Russia's generous scholarships to the Circassian young people in Turkey for study at Maykop and Nalçık universities in northwest Caucasia; the establishment of close ties between the Russian Embassy in Ankara and the Circassian diaspora in Turkey; the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and representatives of the Circassian diaspora in İstanbul on Sept. 2, 2008; and the improvement of relations between the Circassian groups in Israel, Jordan and Syria and Russia.
 
New cold winds between Russians and Circassians
 
The positive course of relations between Russia and the Circassian diaspora in the period between 1991 and 2010 started to deteriorate after 2010 because of the popularity of the campaigns in the US pioneered by the Jamestown Foundation on Circassian Genocide among young people; the Tbilisi support for these campaigns; the international meetings and events held to commemorate the Circassian genocide; the opening of the Circassian genocide memorial in Georgia's Anaklia; the support by Circassian patriotic platforms for the Circassian genocide campaigns despite opposition by the Caucasian Associations Federation (KAFKED), the largest umbrella organization of the Circassians, to these campaigns; Russia's reaction to these developments and the decision to cease dialogue with the Ankara Embassy; the interruption of the Russian scholarships for Circassian young people to study in Maykop and Nalçık universities; Russian indifference to the Syrian Circassian people, who were historically Russian citizens, and restrictions imposed on the resettlement of the Syrian Circassians in the Russian Federation. In this way, Russia gave the impression that it has adopted an ethnic-oriented policy and approach towards different groups rather than an embracive style.
 
The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games
 
deterioration in relations between Russia and the Circassian diaspora may lead the northwest Caucasia region onto a dangerous path.
 
Potential dangers include the possibility of bloody attacks held by Circassian young people in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics; these attacks could be similar to those staged during the 1972 Munich Olympics. The entire northwest Caucasia could be terrorized and destabilized by such attacks. In the aftermath of these attacks, Circassian young people in different parts of the world may also be used to carry out terror attacks that would upset Russia and undermine its interests. Subsequently, the Circassians may be once more crushed by the Russian army in northwest Caucasia. New policies should be developed to address these potential problems and revive the process of rapprochement between Russia and the Circassian people.
 
Russia has to pay greater attention to the Syrian Circassians as it did in regards to the Kosovar Circassians who were resettled in Maykop in 1999. The settlement of refugees in Adigey and Kabardey-Balkar republics will have a positive impact on the Circassian people. To this end, families with children should be admitted first; it should be underlined that the Syrian Circassians are historical and natural citizens of Russia, and it should be announced that they would be welcome in their native lands if they wish to return.
 
Circassian young people need an opening. Russia no longer offers scholarships and fellowships for Circassian young people in Turkey to pursue degrees at Maykop and Nalçık universities. The scholarship scheme should be reintroduced and the number of scholarships reserved for Circassians in Turkey should be increased. However, the recipients of these scholarships should also be allowed to study in Russian universities as well. In this way, they would become familiar with Russia and its culture.
 
It should be stressed that the Sochi Olympic Games are the games of the Circassian people as well. Circassians should be allowed in the games. Most Circassian young people are opposed to the Olympics being held there, despite many not being able to identify the city of Sochi on the map. Demonstrations should be tolerated and representatives from the demonstrations should be invited for bilateral talks, and the results should be shared with the media. For a historical confrontation and reconciliation with the Circassian people, the Kremlin and the Duma should express regret and apologize for the tragedy in the 19th century on May 21. The constructive process will start if they also erect a peace and friendship memorial before the Olympics in Sochi.
 
There is no need for further pain. We have to work on the reconstruction of coexistence in the Black Sea area by cooperating with one another. May 21 and the Sochi Winter Olympics should be the symbols of friendship and peace rather than tension. Ankara and Moscow do not need any additional upset and quarrels. North Caucasia and the people of this region should be creating a bridge of friendship rather than a source of tension and disagreement. For this, the shadows need sunlight.