Fischer: Russia mustn't abuse Chechnya human rightsBERLIN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said on Saturday that Russia's justified fight to protect its territorial integrity did not give it the right to abuse human rights in Chechnya.
Fischer said in a speech that it was right to regard existing conflicts around the world in a new light following the September 11 attacks on the United States, which has responded by trying to build a global coalition to fight terror.
But Fischer, a member of Germany's Greens party, said the world must not forget its fundamental values in the fight against terror.
"The differentiated view of Chechnya should not lead to our suddenly forgetting our own fundamental values of adhering to human rights and of not accepting the breach of human rights,"
Fischer told a meeting of his Greens party in Berlin. Fischer said Russia was right to fight separatism which could unleash a huge potential for conflict if unchecked.
"Russia has a right and duty to defend its territorial integrity. And Russia has the right and the duty to defend the life, freedom and property of its citizens. But that does not justify human rights abuses which in part are being investigated by Russian prosecutors," Fischer said.
His comments appear to put him at odds with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who hinted last month that the West would take a softer line towards Russian military action in Chechnya after Moscow offered support in the war against terrorism.
Schroeder had said during a visit to Berlin by Russian President Vladimir Putin: "As regards Chechnya there will be and must be a more differentiated evaluation in world opinion."
Schroeder's comment marked a change from persistent Western criticism of Moscow's military engagement in the region which the Kremlin says is aimed against Chechen "terrorists."
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