Speech #910076401

Any such disaffected minorities should first examine the record of deception and persecution of the various ethnic groups inside Russia under Soviet Socialism. The Caucasus region on the southern border of Russia is probably the most diversified ethnic area in the world. Many of these Asiatic peoples once occupied larger territories. But during the 18th and 19th centuries. the tsars conducted a series of military campaigns to bring the area under Russian domination. Other than among the ethnic groups in question. there was little opposition to the policy. The average Russian looked upon the objective as a "manifest destiny." In the imagination of 19th century Russian poets and novelists. the Caucasus region of Russia was a wild romantic setting where Russian gentility confronted exotic tribes. Here Byronic military officers advanced their careers in exploits against recalcitrant Asiatics. Elegant ladies of Russian nobility "took the waters" at exclusive Circassian spas. This literary theme reflected a larger political program For example.