Chechen candidates drop off the map

September 16, 2003 Posted: 15:23 Moscow time (11:23 GMT) 

As the presidential elections in the long-suffering Republic of Chechnya approach, contenders are dropping like flies. The three most viable alternatives to head of the pro-Kremlin Chechen Administration and former Mufti of Ishkeria Akhmad Kadyrov have suddenly fallen off the ballot in somewhat-suspicious circumstances. This certainly looks to be something coordinated from above — but what will the Kremlin's — support of its top dog in Chechnya really mean? Moscow seems to be trading legitimacy for loyalty.

Both Hussein Dzhabrailov and State Duma Deputy Aslanbek Aslakhanov voluntarily dropped out of the race, while businessman Malik Saidullayev was removed by Chechnya's Supreme Court under apparent external pressure. Aslakhanov removed himself from the running after being appointed presidential advisor on Chechnya, saying that "no  pressure was exerted" on him. Dzhabrailov left after meeting with head of the Presidential Administration Alexander Voloshin. Finally, Saidullayev departed after a series of suspicious events, including the shooting of his son by masked assailants.

From the Kremlin's point of view, Kadyrov and his plan for peace in Chechnya — referendum, amnesty and then presidential elections — may well seem to be the best option. We ourselves have been in favor of some such a plan, arguing that it is the best long-term hope for peace. However, in preferring to stick with a trusted figure rather  than leave it up to the people of Chechnya, the Kremlin may be making a serious error, not to mention trampling on civil rights.

Free elections are an impossibility in a climate of fear, with bandits and trigger-happy federal forces duking it out in a war zone. However, Moscow should have done everything in its power to hold as close an approximation to legitimate, free and fair elections as possible. For the people of Chechnya to recognize the election as a legitimate one at all, they must be given a viable slate of candidates.

How are the residents of Chechnya supposed to feel any sense of loyalty to their government if it is one they do not in any way feel to have played a part in choosing? And how are they to feel citizens of the Russian Federation as opposed to an occupied nation?

We fear that the Kremlin has made a serious blunder — one that may come back to haunt it.

/The Russia Journal/