AN INTERVIEW WITH CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO THE US PRESIDENT.
RICE DISCUSSES MOSCOW'S CONSTRUCTIVE STANCE ON THE MATTER OF THE FUTURE
BRITISH-AMERICAN MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST IRAQ. SHE SAYS DEALING WITH
IRAQ IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WAR ON TERRORISM.
(excerpt)
(snip)
Question: Could the Iraq situation damage Russian-American relations? Where is
our relationship going?
Condoleezza Rice: We should prevent any damage to bilateral relations because
of the Iraq situation. We should be in agreement on Iraq for that. Both
countries should understand that this is an important integral part of the
war on terrorism and of the problem of dealing with weapons of mass destruction.
After all, we are talking about the regime offering shelter to terrorists
including terrorist Zarkawi whose deadly network goes on murdering Americans
and Russians. We know for a fact that Zarkawi launched operations against
the Russians in Chechnya and in the Pankisi Gorge. It follows that we
should fight challenges of this sort together. In other words, dealing with
this challenge together will only facilitate our relations.
Question: Your words confirm that the United States recognizes the problem of
terrorism which Russia faces in Chechnya. Will this recognition be formalized?
What do you think of Aslan Maskhadov nowadays?
Condoleezza Rice: We are adding terrorist groups to the list in accordance with
the law. You know our firm conviction that a political settlement of the crisis
in Chechnya is the only possible solution. Political processes should make it
clear who should participate in the peace settlement. We were happy to see Russia
seeking legitimate Chechen partners for cooperation.* Military means will never
amount to anything. Still, facilitation of a political solution is all we can
achieve, and all we can hope for.
* Who are these "legitimate Chechen partners" Russia is seeking for?!?! Everyone
knows that, at least officially, they refuse any Chechen partner beyond Kadyrov's
entourage who are after all only the Kremlin's puppets and have no legitimization.
It is clear that Rice's isn't sincere and is using for other purposes the ignorance
coming from the disinformation campaign set up by Russia's media.