CHECHNYA LINKS LIBRARY

Search for Maskhadov and Basayev continues in Chechen mountains

Ruslan Isayev, North Caucasus – All units of the Russian Defense Ministry composed of native Chechens, and in cooperation with the Chechen Interior Ministry, are taking part in the hunt for Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev, whom the Russians call "Chechen separatist leaders".

This intensive search began after the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that anyone who assists in capturing or killing these men will receive a reward of over 10 million dollars.

According to the Chechen Interior Ministry, the operation command knows approximately in which part of Chechnya these men are. If they succeed in capturing them, the reward will be used to help the families of killed policemen and provide healthcare for those wounded.

However, Chechens have mixed feelings about the reward, as a poll taken by our correspondent in Grozny showed:

“It makes no difference to me whether or not they‘re captured; new guerrilla leaders will take their place. The war and all this mess will go on as long as Russian politicians and military commanders need it.“

“They will never be captured because I don’t think anyone will inform on them. Informing would be a shame not only for the family, but for the entire clan as well. Chechnya is not Afghanistan with their Tora Bora and other caves, anyone can be easily found here. Since they‘ve not been betrayed or captured so far, they’re apparently being supported by Chechens. But now Basayev shamed himself by claiming responsibility for the Beslan events. But it could be a provocation, couldn't it? I don't know, and don't trust anybody. I only know that I will not inform on anyone."

“That´s a lot of money. I don´t believe anyone in the FSB is not interested in that. In my opinion, the operation has been ongoing for a long time and Basayev is sitting somewhere with the generals, drinking coffee and laughing about it. I think that he works for them. What else can I think when such unbelievable henious things are being done, all of which are turning the whole world away from us?“

“I really need money. Even just a small fraction of it would help, so I‘d like to hunt for them in the mountains. But what‘s really strange is why they’ve never launched such a large scale operation before. They need Basayev - yet they'll never capture him. He could be anywhere, even living on a street next to the seat of government. It will be anounced that both men were killed, the reward will be cashed and then, after a few years, they’ll be back. If only the military and special services would change their attitude toward Chechens, if people would stop disappearing, then almost no one would fight. They turn us into terrorists and rebels because it suits their interests.“

(H/E,T)