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"BBCRussian.com"
February, 10th 2009
BBC: Mr. Zakayev, Ramzan Kadyrov asserted that in a conversation with
him you expressed your readiness to return to Chechnya. How does this
correspond to reality?
A.Z.: It wasn't the first time Ramzan Kadyrov makes such a statement.
I have never discussed with him any promises from my side or conditions
for my return.
Furthermore, I can tell you that Ramzan Kadyrov isn't the only one to be
concerned about my job situation. Putin repeatedly sent his
representative to me and proposed to me even the present job of Ramzan
Kadyrov.
I expressed my appreciation - I can now express my appreciation to those
who are concerned about my fate - but my position differs principally
from the position of those who today entrust themselves to the Russian
leadership and actually terrorize their own people.
Ramzan probably doesn't understand that it is possible to come to power
on the Russian bayonets but practically impossible to keep it. The
recent attempt on his life is evidence of this. I think he should first
of all worry about his own safety, and I will somehow manage with regard
to my job situation.
The Parliament of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria reaffirmed my
authority as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the ChRI just a few
days ago. Our government is working, functioning, and I am confident
that the resolution of the Russian-Chechen conflict doesn't lie in the
military field, not in troop operations and military actions, but on the
political level. We are working in this direction and we are ready to
[continue to] work.
I have declared this in previous interviews, I said that we are open for
dialogue even with the representatives of Ramzan Kadyrov. So I can't add
anything new.
BBC: On which conditions would you agree in principle to return to Chechnya?
A.Z.: Personally I don't have any conditions. The Russian-Chechen
conflict must be solved.
It didn't begin with Ramzan Kadyrov. The Chechen statehood was restored
in 1991, and at this time began the confrontation between Russia and
Chechnya which continues until this day. It took different forms, there
was a peaceful period and there were various military activities.
Today this question isn't resolved. And undoubtedly a political
solution, a political formula for the co-existence of Russia and
Chechnya hasn't been found so far, any form of stability is out of the
question, and no one can guarantee that.
To establish conditions in this situation, to negotiate about some posts
in today's Chechnya would be very stupid, to say the least. I'm not
ready for that.
I think that sooner or later there will be a force in Russia itself
which will be interested in a resolution of this conflict. Then there
will be need for all those who today continue to insist on the search
for a political, peaceful regulation of the Russian-Chechen conflict.
BBC: You speak about a peaceful political settlement. But recently the
FSB accused you of creating armed units in Chechnya.
A.Z.: This is the latest propaganda from the FSB. In this way they again
attempt to demonstrate their attitude towards me, and towards that what
we are struggling for.
Our position remains constant: The Russian-Chechen conflict doesn't have
a military solution. To create some additional military structures in
Chechnya is absolutely not in our interest. This is an absurdity,
because we understand that the conflict doesn't have a military
solution. But sufficient forces for the continuation of the Resistance
are already formed and exist.
BBC: Aren't Kadyrov's statements that your return to Chechnya is
desirable evidence of some differences between Kadyrov and the Kremlin?
A.Z.: Possibly. But we understand the methods of the Chekists, they were
already known at the time of the White emigration. On whatever
conditions I return home, this would be declared a successful operation
to detain an international terrorist. I'm absolutely calm about this.
I don't know if Ramzan Kadyrov trusts them, but I won't trust them if I
were in his place. Because Ramzan Kadyrov knows perfectly well who was
behind the murder of his father. To trust them in this situation and to
guarantee my safety on their behalf is totally erroneous, I think.
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