"After the relations with Russia are settled, we will apologize to the nation for their suffering"
"After the relations with Russia are settled, we will apologize to the nation for their suffering"
An interview with Aslan Maskhadov, President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Following is a short summary of the interview published in Nezavisimaya Gazeta on February 28, 2001
Russia must enter into negotiations with president Maskhadov in order to end the war. What must be done is ti stop fighting and conclude a peace agreement. The next necessary step will be to establish regular, neighbourly and civilized relations between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. At the meeting of the State Duma (The Lower House of the Russian Parliament) the MPs, Chechen MPs and Maskhadov’s representatives agreed on the inevitability to urge the respective presidents to end the war. There will be no stability in Chechnya until the relations with Russia, the unpredictable country she is, are settled. Once this is achieved, Maskhadov believes, he can gather the nation, report back to the people, and apologize for their suffering and harm.
Maskhadov stands aloof from and is against all separate groups, including vakhabism which is to blame for separating the nation into two camps and for having given its enemies the opportunity to trigger off a fratricidal civil war. Maksadov dissociates himself from any statements which are in the contradiction with the official policy of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. As he was elected a president and is therefore commander-in-chief, Maskhadov indeed is a leading person in the resistance to federal forces. Not a single operation is conducted without him knowing about it. The ultimate responsibility lies with the Chechen president.
As far as explosions in Russian cities are concerned, there has been no evidence that the Chechens should be behind them. Such methods are only used by the weaklings when they are losing a war. On the other hand, Maskhadov assumes responsibility for the attacks against military columns, checkpoints and places of military command, claiming that they have been an openly declared part of the guerilla-war strategy.
Aslan Maskhadov flatly denies any allegations concerning his participation in the assassinations of the Chechens loyal to Moscow. He feels to be a true Chechen and Muslim who values human life. To kill a Chechen, a Muslim, is a serious sin.
The full text of the interview (in Russian only)
Related material:
The Russian Communications Ministry gives "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" a warning for publishing the interview with A. Maskhadov (Nezavisimaya gazeta, March 3, 2001 - in Russian only)
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