Meaningless Meeting: Moscow is sorry it had talks with Maskhadov´s emissary - IzvestiaOn Monday, first details of a secret Sunday meeting in "Sheremetievo" airport between presidential plenipotentiary Viktor Kazantsev and Maskhadov's emissary Akhmed Zakaev, who flew from Turkey, became known. Kazantsev and Chechnya's head Akhmad Kadyrov had a joint press conference. According to Kazantsev, unless separatists make concrete moves, further dialogue is meaningless: "we talked for two hours, but I received no answer to Vladimir Putin's offer to lay down arms and return to peaceful life." In return, Zakaev sees the meeting as preparation for diplomatic negotiations.
The joint announcement of Akhmad Kadyrov and Viktor Kazantsev was preceded by very tense consultations all Monday. According to information available to Izvestia, the head of Chechen administration is dissatisfied by the meeting between Kazantsev and Zakaev: he was not even informed in advance that this meeting would take place. Kadyrov came to Moscow and met Kazantsev. Right afterwards the two called a press conference and demonstrated a coordinated view of the problem.
Kazantsev told a press conference that his meeting with Zakaev was one-on-one, even though the Chechens wanted a number of "international observers" to be present. Turkish businessman Besim Tibuk, a sponsor of the visit, who guaranteed Zakaev's security, did not take part in the conversation. Kazantsev, in his own words, listened to Zakaev's position, that consisted of "theoretical analysis of historic events of the last two centuries, slogans, clich?s and schemes."
"I did not feel the readiness to make any practical moves, - said Kazantsev. - In everything that Zakaev says one can see influence of Khattab and Basaev on Maskhadov. If our future conversations are also purely theoretical, I do not think we need to meet at all."
When asked if Aslan Maskhadov, granted that he shows his loyalty to Moscow, can count on amnesty or even on participation in the new Chechen government, Viktor Kazantsev replied: "I think it is up to the justice department to decide what to do." Akhmad Kadyrov added: "We'll take him back as the head of civil defense - a post he once occupied."
Kazantsev pointed out that no discussion of political organization of Chechnya took place. Nodding in the direction of Kadyrov, Kazantsev said that Chechnya already had a government and an administration. As for Maskhadov, the talks with him can only be limited to total surrender and return to peaceful life of those that did not take part in kidnappings and other atrocities. To use Kazantsev's own words, Maskhadov has no way to go and he knows is.
When asked if Maskhadov had the authority to convince the field commanders to surrender, Kazantsev explained that it was precisely what Moscow wanted Maskhadov to show. Otherwise, no further contacts with him will take place. Akhmad Kadyrov is more direct. In his opinion, the fighters are using negotiations to save time and win political dividends: "I stand for peace in Chechnya as well. If there were even a slightest chance, I would stand for negotiations as well. But Basaev was never subordinate to Maskhadov. As for Zakaev, how can he represent anyone if he has not been in Chechnya for over a year? He is just an actor."
Zakaev's own opinion is decidedly different. Upon his return from Moscow to Istanbul, he called a press conference. He appeared surrounded by numerous bodyguards and expressed his belief that these new contacts could lead to positive results. In accordance with his agreement with the Russian side, Zakaev did not disclose any details of his conversation with Kazantsev.
"We have agreed that this dialogue, that could lead to diplomatic negotiations, must be carried on," said Zakaev. He refused to answer any of the questions.
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