Statement by the leadership of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
For those outside Chechnya who aren't involved in the Russian-Chechen conflict,
the explosion of the so-called Government House with numerous victims can
be considered as a terrorist act.
On the other hand, there will be those who evaluate today's event in the
context of the everyday life of the Chechens. According to their logic, the
Government House is neither an apartment house nor a school or a hospital.
The Government House is the most guarded object on the territory of the Chechen
Republic. It goes without saying that many on the Chechen side regard this
house as a strategic target where the most zealous conductors of the anti-Chechen
terrorist war are gathered.
The Chechen leadership regards the event as a tragedy for the entire Chechen
people. The latest mass dead today in the capital of the Chechen Republic
has increased the losses of the Chechen people. The occupation regime has
done everything in order to force the Chechens to collaborate with
it. The people were forced to join both the militia and the administration,
in the hope at least there to find protection from the arbitrariness of the
Russian troops. Unfortunately, no-one can guarantee safety in Chechnya, despite
all the statements about the stabilization of the situation and the successful
search for a political solution.
The Chechen leadership expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives
of the latest victims of the Russian-Chechen conflict. The Chechen leadership
condemns all terrorist acts and insists that the Russian-Chechen conflict
doesn't have any solution by force. Our peace calls to the Russian leadership
remain unanswered.
We call on the international community to interfere with the situation.
Vice-premier of the ChRI Government
Special Representative of the President of the ChRI A. Maskhadov, A.
Zakayev, 27.12.02.
http://www.chechenpress.com/news/12_2002/14_27_12.shtml
[Unauthorized translation by Norbert Strade]