RIYADH, 18 March 2004 — Russian authorities have taken a unilateral step and shut down the Red Crescent operation in Chechnya despite an agreement with the Saudi government to allow the aid organization to be active, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper yesterday.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Suwailam, president of the Saudi Red Crescent, stated that this latest action resulted from an agreement between local Chechnya authorities and the Russian government that demanded all refugee camps to shut down.
Al-Suwailam said that the Saudi camp was handed over to the Russian government during a ceremony held in appreciation for the humane efforts made in the area.
Russian and Chechnya authorities informed camp officials that they feared that the children would become rebel fighters against Russian forces in Chechnya if left in such an environment.
Al-Suwailam confirmed that Red Crescent aid centers in several other countries are still active but would also shut down once their missions were completed.
