"Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty"June, 4th 2009
By Natalya Golitsyna (London) RFE/RL
A meeting between representatives of Chechnya’s government and Chechen politicians residing abroad may take place in the nearest future. This was suggested by the Chairman of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeriya’s Government in exile Akhmed Zakaev in his interview with the London correspondent of Radio Liberty. According to Zakaev, the main purpose of such negotiations would be to try and find a political, rather than military solution to the situation in the North Caucasus.
- Could there ever, even in the distant future, be a consensus of all the different groups of the Chechen society - both those who share Ramzan Kadyrov’s point of view, and those who support the ideals of the Republic of Ichkeriya?
- There is no doubt that today either in Chechnya, or overseas there is no single political force which could represent the Chechen people and speak of its interests. There are many different movements and all of them have aspirations to be exclusive. We do not claim that our position is absolutely right. We understand that the last free and democratic elections were held in the Chechen Republic 12 years ago.
At present we, the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeriya as assigns of the Constitution adopted in 1992, as well as the newly formed bodies, bodies of occupation who were not involved in any political activity but who hold their own view on the situation, - need to work out a common concept, a single position. A number of meetings have been planned for the nearest future, which include meetings with the representatives of Ramzan Kadyrov. We simply must work out this common formula.
- Whose initiative was it to hold the meetings?
- It was both our initiative and their initiative, there is an understanding of the fact that it is impossible to undo this Gordian knot on our own. I am pleased to stress that there is an understanding among the other party that dialogue is essential. But we cannot accept the form which they try to impose on us whereby they pluck out one by one those who used to be part of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeriya’s institutions and who used to support independence, and by humiliating them force them to repent and admit the error of their ways.
We are happy to talk on the basis of the situation as it stands today. Ramzan Kadyrov and his team are part of this situation. Russia trusts and supports them. In fact Russia has been a catalyst of all negative processes which are conducted on behalf of the current so-called ‘leadership’ of Chechnya. The longer this conflict, or this inter-Chechen confrontation continues, the easier it will be for war criminals to avoid prosecution for the worst crimes committed on the territory of the Chechen Republic. And Kadyrov has been the person they have specially selected for this purpose. Whether he understands it or not, but today everything is done to fulfil Kremlin’s wishes, which are far removed from the interests of the Chechen people which Ramzan Kadyrov advocates himself.
- As far as I remember quite recently Ramzan Kadyrov made you an offer to go back to Chechnya which you declined.
- The offer which was made then and the political process I am talking about now have got nothing to do with each other. Naturally, I have no intention to discuss my personal problems with anyone. An attempt to present it in this particular format is an attempt to discredit the very idea of starting a dialogue, of looking for a solution to the conflict. In contrast with many of my political opponents I understand the futility of the personification of this problem. It is a historical problem which our generation might not be able to fully resolve. We are ready to do everything we can in order to put a real end to the many centuries of confrontation between Russia and Chechnya, as Yeltsin put it some time ago. If so far there have been attempts to resolve this conflict solely by force we must now stop, look back and take adequate steps in order to begin the search for a political solution.
My firm belief is that in any case both the composition and the format, as well as the positions of the people who are going to meet with us will be agreed first and foremost with the Russian leadership. We are aware of it and we are ready for it. Which is why it makes no real difference to us who we are going to talk with provided this constructive dialogue brings us to a normalization of the situation.
- You have somewhat fraught relations with the Russian authorities and so far similarly fraught relations with the Chechen leadership. How do you imagine this meeting to proceed? Where and when?
- I would rather not jump ahead. I would like to say something about our relations with Russia and with the Chechen side, however. It is a question of political expediency which has never been a decisive factor. If Russia were to take a decision about the need to have a dialogue – even in a format like this one, trying to find a solution to this confrontation – there can be no obstacles to a meeting, to a dialogue, to contacts.
http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/content/2009/06/19/main02.shtml
