ILYAS AKHMADOV: IT'S TIME TO STOP SELLING CHECHNYA FOR AFGHANISTAN, FOR IRAQ, FOR CENTRAL ASIA
 
 
24/05/2003 | Daymohk

 
Exclusive interview of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria Ilyas Akhmadov to the Information Agency DAYMOHK

Tell us, please, in general, how do you estimate the work of the foreign policy department of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria from the beginning of the second Chechen-Russian war? What concrete successes of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria would you note, were there any omissions, maybe?

Ilyas Akhmadov: It's impossible to tell briefly about the work of the ministry from the beginning of this war, and it would be more reasonable to discuss the achievements or omissions of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs after the liberation of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria, as objective analysis requires consideration of comprehensive information including confidential. For the moment I'll say that the information about the work of the ministry is being regularly transferred to the President of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria.

What main difficulties do you face being compelled, owing to the force of objective circumstances, to live in the West?

Ilyas Akhmadov: Certainly, there are more than enough difficulties. Functions, duties and tasks of foreign policy work require constant activity which, unfortunately, cannot be carried out in the territory of Chechnya because of enemy occupation. For this reason, the President Maskhadov in the beginning of the war ordered me to leave beyond the limits of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria to organize and head foreign policy activities of the Chechen state, which I and my subordinates are doing now.

Have you constant contacts with the leadership of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria, in particular, with the president Aslan Maskhadov?

Ilyas Akhmadov: The work of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is carried out under the direct control of the President. Of course, we are in constant communication. Because of extremely difficult circumstances, it has its specificity, probably it isn't always operative, but we manage to avoid any serious failures.

Recently it has been said much about the so-called "Akhmadov's Plan" which provides creation of an interim UN Administration in Chechnya - with a view of following settlement of the military-political conflict between the Republic Ichkeria and the Russian Federation. How real do you see its implementation, and in what period? Has this initiative appreciable support in the world community, in the certain circles of Russian politicians? Are representatives of the leadership of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria, of the Chechen Armed Resistance unanimous in respect of key positions of the "Akhmadov's Plan"?

Ilyas Akhmadov: First let's specify the following - this concept of the peace settlement of the Russian-Chechen conflict is the plan of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria, and not an individual initiative of separate persons. Probably, it is called the "Akhmadov's plan" because of lexical convenience, but actually it is a result of assiduous work of employees of the ministry for a long period of time.

The careful analysis of the situation was carried out and all possible alternatives were considered, including proposals on peace settlement of this conflict which were put forward by some Russian politicians and are known to the public, as well as all theoretically possible variants from "free associated state" up to the model of "allied state". Certainly, the starting point for estimation of these alternatives, were, first of all, true national interests of peoples of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria and the Russian Federation. Changes in the international situation and prospects of development of these changes were taken into account too. Certainly, the possibility of realization of final proposals was one of the basic requirements.

As a result of this work, the Chechen Ministry for Foreign Affairs put forward the concept of the "conditional independence" presupposing voluntary acceptance of the international trusteeship limited in time, provided that after termination of the period of trusteeship Chechnya would be given legally (de jure) recognized independence. The condition of such recognition should become a real transformation of Chechnya into a truly democratic state, which actually will be the task and the purpose of the temporary international administration. Without any exaggeration, this formula fully complies with expectations and interests of Chechen and Russian peoples. It in no way contradicts either the Russian-Chechen Peace Treaty of 1997. Moreover, this formula fully complies with legitimate interests of the international community including the neighboring Caucasian states. The embodiment of this concept will certainly lead to peace and economic development not only in Chechnya, but also in all this region.

Certainly, the realization of this project requires a serious reorientation of the Russian political elites and responsible policies of the international community, as well as consistent and responsible policies on the Chechen party. The development of the situation will show how many time such changes will take, but these changes are inevitable.

Russia is facing a choice today: to become a truly democratic state with effective market economy and influential civil society or to share the lot of empires that failed to reform themselves in a line with change of epoch. Continuation of the war in Chechnya leads to the last variant, whereas the concept of the "conditional independence" offers Russia to walk along the first and the only successful way towards a worthy and well-to-do democratic state.

A great deal, certainly, will depend on the stand of the international community. The democratic states should cease to testify to their own feebleness and abandon the policy of connivance in respect of the Russian-Chechen conflict. Inactivity of the international community in this question not only leads to continuation of bloodshed in Chechnya, but has a fatally effect on Russia and the general situation in Europe too. It is time already to understand that the Russian-Chechen conflict won't disappear by itself. Those who call themselves friends of Russia, should help it to sit down at the negotiating table and resolve politically this conflict, and not to doom Russia by their connivance to self-destroying criminal war which politically, economically, socially and morally destroys Russia and puts it in one line with rogue-states.

The USA and the European Union have sufficient opportunities to influence some elements of Kremlin's policy and should use these opportunities. Of course, nobody calls on for a military confrontation with Russia or to its isolation. But the international community should change its obvious policy which conditions acceptance of the war in Chechnya by the readiness of Russia to cooperate in other areas. It's time to stop selling Chechnya for Afghanistan, for Iraq or for Central Asia. In their relations with Russia, the USA, the European Union and its members - states should give an absolute priority to the settlement of the Russian-Chechen problem. If the benefits of Russia in these respects are conditioned by its readiness to cooperate on the problem of Chechnya, this will inevitably lead to positive results. Especially because the offered formula objectively corresponds to the true Russian interests not less than to the interests of Chechnya and the international community. As a first step, the international community should cease to squeeze our centuries-old conflict into "Procrustean bed" of a newborn global network of terrorism.

Gogol-style reports about drowned Chechens in Afghanistan and Pentagon's reports about Chechen divisions in Iraq may cause only contemptious bewilderment. It's time for the USA and Russia to understand that depriving the Chechen resistance of legitimacy doesn't lead to the settlement of the problem but promotes continuation of the war and strengthens opposition of both parties.

Introduction of the concept of the "conditional independence" certainly depends also on actions of the Chechen party. First of all, I would like to call on all Chechens (as well as all Russians) to familiarize in details with this proposal. The full text of this document can be found on the page of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (www.chechnya-mfa.info) in Russian, English, French, Spanish, and Italian languages. As it is a major political question, each Chechen has the right to know what he is offered and to express his opinion. For this reason the Chechen Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in addition to brochures in English, printed several thousands texts in Russian and distributed them among Chechens in all Europe, in Georgia and Azerbaijan. In the near future they will appear in Chechnya too. Those who want to support this concept, can sign the appeal to the Secretary General of the United Nations, it has been signed already by dozens of European deputies, many Chechen and Russian political and public figures, and ordinary citizens. One can do it on the page of the Chechen state news agency "Chechen-press". The problem of the Russian-Chechen conflict is, first of all, concern of Chechens and citizens of Russia. Both Chechens and Russians should make their contribution to the settlement of this tragedy.

The degree of support of this concept will be revealed by time, but already now a serious interest to this plan can be stated. From the moment of presentation of this initiative on March 18, in Washington, I continuously receive assurances of support practically from every corner of the world. Moreover, I still never heard any essential counter-argument. All those with whom I discussed this concept are unanimous in the sense that it offers the most optimum variant of settlement of this conflict. As you know, a series of articles in the international press also appraised merits of these proposals. Certainly, we are only at the beginning of the way. In the international policy, new ideas usually pass several stages before their implementation. This concept has to pass this process too.

I'll add that I notified about this initiative in written form the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of all leading states, the United Nations Organization, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and other institutes of the international community. It was also submitted to the European Parliament by the Minister for Health of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria Umar Khanbiyev and the first vice-president of the Parliament of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria Selim Beshayev. The work to promote this concept certainly proceeds and will proceed until its realization. This is the aim of the work of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and all official representatives of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria in the West.

April 22, this concept was approved by the decision of the Parliament of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria which was also published by your agency. It is self-evident that prior to its promulgation this concept was sent for consideration to the President of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov. He is also the supreme commander-in-chief of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria. All Chechen armed resistance is united in the desire to build an independent Chechen state where the power would be in the hands of the Chechen people which is the meaning of the word "democracy" in Chechen: "k'oman-1edel". We will build exactly such state which in addition will be a good neighbour for all states of the region. We want to be equal among equal. The Chechens will never submit to anything else.

Have you constant contacts with representatives of the American administration? How would you characterize the decision of the White House to include certain "Chechen groupings" in the list of the "international terrorist organizations"? What were, in your opinion, the reasons of the American authorities when they presented such "gift" to Moscow? Is it a tactical move dictated by momentary interests of necessary loyalty of the Kremlin in respect of other questions of international policy, or we should speak about a basic change of the stand of the USA on the question of the Chechen-Russian war, about a tendency designated after September 11?

Ilyas Akhmadov: The position of the present administration of the USA concerning the conflict in Chechnya after terrorist attacks of September 11, was designated in the statement of the US State Department on September 25, 2001. This position has three aspects: On the first aspect of this policy the State department stated literally the following:

"The Chechen leadership, as well as all responsible political leaders in the world, must unconditionally and immediately interrupt all contacts with the international terrorist groups".

The second aspect of this position is expressed in the confidence of the USA that "only political process can resolve the conflict in Chechnya", therefore "the USA would welcome steps on the part of Russia aimed at true dialogue with the Chechen leadership".

The third aspect of this position was expressed in the US appeal to Russia "to refrain from military actions which endanger well-being and legitimate interests of the Chechen people".

We have completely approved this position, as we never had any connections with the international terrorists and the political dialogue in defence of well-being and legitimate interests of the Chechen people is what we are striving for.

On the first aspect of the position of the USA, we have unequivocally declared that we are ready to undertake immediate and effective actions if the USA give us the corresponding information about any elements in Chechnya connected with the international terrorism. Unfortunately, we weren't given any concrete information. Moreover, our unequivocal support of actions of the USA in Afghanistan and Iraq certainly shows that the Chechen leadership consistently opposes the international terrorism and the regimes which support it. As you know, we have repeatedly said that the Russian-Chechen conflict and the international terrorism have nothing in common. The Chechen conflict has deep historical roots and legitimate political aims. It isn't a new phenomenon and it hasn't global or anti-western character. This conflict existed long before the international terrorism emerged, and the Chechens never had any contradictions with the western democratic world just as they hadn't them with any other country except for Russia.

The cause of dispute is entirely limited to the Russian-Chechen conflict. I hope the present administration of the USA understands it too, as well as all international community as a whole. It should be especially obvious that in view of our last proposals on voluntary acceptance of the international administration, any statements about alleged connections of the Chechen leadership with the international terrorism are absolutely absurd. Have you ever heard of international terrorists calling on for introduction of the international trusteeship? I hope both the USA and the European Union understand the difference between the international terrorism and the international administration, as well as the difference between radicalization and democratization of the society. We call on the international community to support democratization in order to avoid radicalization. I spoke about this in the course of recent meetings with political and public figures of the USA, of course, I continue to be in contact with them.

Inclusion by the United States of America of three "Chechen groupings", two of which simply do not exist, into the list of the "international terrorist organizations" is the result of three factors.

The first, it was a result of propaganda and pressure of the Kremlin which first indefatigably "finds" floppy disks with plans of New York in Argunsky canyon, then "finds out" that all known terrorists of the world for some reason consider their duty to fly to the USA only through transit landing in Chechnya (probably, by flights of Aeroflot) or at least in Pankissy gorge. Nothing else is left but to wonder why the Kremlin till now didn't find in Chechnya any general of Saddam Hussein or at least members of his party.

The second factor is the desire of the USA to gratify the Kremlin which, as you have noted, is dictated by momentary interests of necessary loyalty of the Kremlin in connection with other questions of international policy.

And, at last, the third factor is irresponsible statements and political fantasies published in the Internet on behalf of Chechen commanders which immediately are being distributed in the international press. Let the Chechens now draw conclusions. It is time to stop irresponsible statements that in the result help the Kremlin to justify the most grave crimes against our people.

Should we expect that the world community will nevertheless strengthen pressure upon Moscow in connection with events in Chechnya, or the tragedy on Northern Caucasus for undefined time will remain hardly noticed in the general stream of international events, when the pragmatism of leading powers will prevail over "universal values"?

Ilyas Akhmadov: The question here isn't pragmatism. Pragmatists would long ago understand that the Russian-Chechen conflict destroys not only Chechnya and Russia, but also the future of Europe. In other words, the future of Europe will substantially depend on what tomorrow's Russia will be like, which certainly depends on the settlement of the Russian-Chechen conflict. The international community should review radically its policy on this problem. Recent suicide attacks in Chechnya certainly indicate that it is criminal to postpone the resolution of this conflict. Chechnya needs peace and it needs it now. The sooner the international community understands it, the better it will be both for Chechnya, for Russia, and for the international community itself.

Thank you for answering our questions.