From: MSN Nicknamepsychoteddybear24 (Original Message) Sent: 12/21/2005 5:14 PM "Little Stalin" Kadyrov runs Russia's Chechnya By Oliver Bullough
MOSCOW (Reuters) - He is 29 years old, bearded, exhorts his troops to fight in the name of Allah and speaks Russian with a heavy Chechen accent. Not long ago, that would have perfectly described one of Moscow's most bitter foes.
But now, while his former comrades-in-arms dodge troops in the Chechen mountains, Ramzan Kadyrov is a hero of Russia, a frequent guest of President Vladimir Putin and regional leader of the pro-Kremlin political party.
Kadyrov is officially deputy prime minister of Chechnya but observers say the Kremlin has made him de facto leader -- something, they add, it may come to regret.
Kadyrov's every move dominates local television reports. When his first son was born last month, the region enjoyed a public holiday -- marked by all-night salutes of machine gun fire that left civilians cowering in their basements.
His portraits stare down from the pocked walls of apartment blocks in Grozny, the shattered capital of Chechnya, interspersed with posters of Putin pinning Russia's highest decoration to his chest.
"I am not a prima donna, but when people respect you, that's always nice," Kadyrov told Reuters. "If I were to say I did not like to feel myself a popular man, then I'd be lying."
Kadyrov's power is based on his control of thousands of irregular troops -- like him, former rebels, and nicknamed the 'kadyrovtsy'. Rights activists accuse him of using kidnapping, murder and torture to cement his rule.
Acknowledgement: All available information and documents in "Justice For North Caucasus Group" is provided for the "fair use". There should be no intention for ill-usage of any sort of any published item for commercial purposes and in any way or form. JFNC is a nonprofit group and has no intentions for the distribution of information for commercial or advantageous gain. At the same time consideration is ascertained that all different visions, beliefs, presentations and opinions will be presented to visitors and readers of all message boards of this site. Providing, furnishing, posting and publishing the information of all sources is considered a right to freedom of opinion, speech, expression, and information while at the same time does not necessarily reflect, represent, constitute, or comprise the stand or the opinion of this group. If you have any concerns contact us directly at:
eagle@JusticeForNorthCaucasus.com