Zakayev: Chechnya has a bright future.
SIA CHECHENPRESS publishes interview of Minister for Foreign Affairs of ChRI Akhmed Zakayev for the Turkish Agency Caucasus.
3 August 2007
What do you think is the current level of achievement of the Chechen resistance? Do you think this resistance is quite sustainable?
It is eight years since the Chechen resistance has begun. The resistance emerged not as an idea but as a form of reaction against the occupation of Russian army; therefore, the resistance will continue to exist as long as the Russian presence remains in.
What effects did the death of Shamil Basayev bear on both tactical and potential sides to the resistance?
Doubtlessly Shamil Basayev was one of the most important Chechen leaders; he afterwards became the leader of all Northern Caucasian resistance fighters who put up a strong resistance to. His death was bound to affect the aftermath of the Chechen war against. What is characteristic of our resistance group is that death of a comrade of ours only strengthens the rest of the group in their responsibility for keeping the resistance alive.
How factual are the news reports that the security forces that actually support the pro-Russian President Ramzan Kadyrov joined resistance fighters in the mountains? How do you view the future of the resistance?
We have sometimes happened to hear that some of our resistance fighters joined Kadyrov. Under some circumstances things of this kind might unavoidably happen. Decision on the part of some people with close links to Kadyrov to join us is nothing to be surprised at. This means that the Chechens do not fight with each other at all; they rather fight against the Russians. The notion of having one common enemy to fight against will supply all the Chechen and Northern Caucasian people with a national platform to build progressively their future on.
How do you view the prospects for the pro-Russian Chechen administration? How would you comment on the view that social activities like concerts won Kadyrov considerable approval from the young Chechen people?
We learn from history that mandated administrations would exist only as long as the occupation does not end. Most Chechens, especially the youth, feel they have to cooperate with the puppet administration if they want to survive hardships of the occupation. The Chechens are experienced in surviving, however. We went through the difficult times of Russian tsars, Stalin and Yeltsin. It is now Putin whom we have to endure. Kadyrov does not pose a different kind of danger to us.
How would you comment on the view that Kadyrov would down the line become an insurgent icon?
I think I spoke more than I should about Kadyrov.
How do you view the prospects for Chechnya?
Chechnya has only liberty and enlightenment to achieve in its future. will soon realize that its occupation of will eventually cost it a lot.
Do you think that the prospects of independence for will be affected somehow amid debates over Kosovo as well as over a new phase of Cold War between and the West? Is there any likelihood of the international community raising the question of over again long after was left alone to deal with it?
All administrations have over the past years supported’s criminal war against Chechens in hopes that they would get something in return. I have to admit that is luckily not living up to the expectations of any such administrations. The situation with Kosovo is strange because although is actually with people in Kosovo for their independence, the Russian administration has to officially oppose it. Right after Kosovo, seems prepared to annex Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniester as well. The situation in Kosovo has shown the Russians that members of the U.N. Security Council made a decision in perceptible disaccord with each other. knows that annexation of the above-mentioned three countries will gain it approval neither from the nor from Europe . For that reason, seeks to use Kosovo sample as a means of violation of the alliance for taking any decision. The most important thing for Chechens is, however, to let assert completely its presence here.
Translated to English by Hamdi Ali Serdar (Agency Caucasus).
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