14:28 June 14, 2003

U.S. ambassador calls Russia's steps in Chechnya encouraging

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow described the steps taken by Russian authorities to develop a political process in Chechnya as encouraging.

"We hope that the Russian authorities will continue to take all the necessary steps to mark a real turning point in the Chechen conflict," Vershbow said. "The more the political process succeeds[1], the more the terrorists will be marginalized," he said. America deems the steps the Russian authorities are taking to prepare for the presidential elections in Chechnya in October as very important, Vershbow said. [2]

"But at the same time, we think additional effort will be needed to create the conditions for successful elections that can represent a real turning point in the Chechen conflict," he said. "There needs to be continued effort to implement the amnesty that has been offered to Chechens who have not committed the most serious crimes, so that more and more of those who support the fighters can be persuaded to join the political process and renounce violence", Vershbow said.[3]

There also needs to be continued progress on economic issues, such as the payment of "compensations for those who lost homes, and economic reconstruction, and the creation of new jobs," he said. "Of course, the electoral process itself needs to be open to all candidates, and they should all have access to the media," the ambassador said. [4]

It is also important, "as President Putin recently emphasized, that Russian soldiers, and security forces who have committed violence against the civilian population be held to account," he said. [5]

//Interfax//

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Comment:

[1] One wonders about what "succeeding political process" Ambassador Vershbov is talking about?

[2] Some months before the invasion of Irak Saddam Hussein has been reelected president with 99% of votes. Did Ambassador Vershbov deem also that presidential election as a "very important step"?

[3] Again, one must wonder about what we are really talking about here? But we, know of course. What he calls an "amnesty" is nothing else than Putin's offer of an unconditional surrender of guerrilla members that will then immediately "disappear" in one of the innumerable russian torture chambers and mass graves in Chechnya.

[4] Can someone please inform Ambassador Vershbov that there is actually, and certainly will not be before october 5th, nothing alike in Chechnya!?!

[5] Yes indeed. And it is especially important to bring in front of a court the worst war criminal in Russia since the times of Stalin: just the one who is emphasizing this!

Dear Ambassador Vershbov, ever heard of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America called the "Bill of Rights"?!? What about setting aside your cynicism praising criminals and state terrorist, beginning to talk to your russian friends about this? M.M.