DATE=4/21/2000
TYPE=Q&A
TITLE=CHECHNYA-RUSSIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261604
BYLINE=VOA RUSSIAN LANGUAGE SERVICE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
UNVOICED
/// EDS: VOA's Russian Service has
conducted an interview with an aide to the leader of
Chechnya about the latest Russian peace proposals for
the rebellious province. Russian Acts available in
bubble ///
INTRO: Ilyas Akhmadov is the chief aide to Chechnya's
leader, Aslan Maskhadov. In an interview with V-O-A's
Russian language service, Mr. Akhmadov dismisses
recent Russian peace proposals for the province as
ploys designed to fend off international criticism.
QUESTION: How do you characterize the latest peace
proposals from Moscow?
MR. AKHMADOV: The Russian government's announcement
that it is negotiating with the Chechen side is
nothing more than a smokescreen aimed at reducing
pressure from the international community, which has
been calling for talks. There have been a few
instances of contact through third parties --for
example, the presidents of Ingushetia and Ossetia --
but no direct talks took place. But from our point of
view, these meetings were only intended to define
positions in advance of actual negotiations. These
contacts have been coincidental in nature and, in my
opinion, it would not be correct to call them
negotiations.
QUESTION: How would you describe Chechnya's peace
proposals?
MR. AKHMADOV: [Mr.] Maskhadov has a packet of
proposals that contain suggestions for compromise on
almost every objection that the Russian government has
made. As far as turning in those who were responsible
for the explosions [last year in Russian] residential
areas, we have received no convincing evidence that
Chechens or residents of Chechnya had anything to do
with the bombings. This whole story is very unclear.
With convincing proof, we will be able to turn over
those who were responsible through a mediator or the
O-S-C-E (Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe), if indeed they are in Chechnya.
QUESTION: Have you received any response to these
proposals from Russia?
Mr. AKHMADOV: ... It's difficult to comment (on) the
nonsense that comes from the mouth of the president-
elect (Vladimir Putin) and those who surround him.
QUESTION: Are there justified doubts about Mr.
Maskhadov's actual control over Chechen forces?
MR. AKHMADOV: He is both the political and military
leader. He is not only the president, but the
commander-in-chief, and has executed his duties in
both of these positions quite successfully throughout
this war.
NEB/TG/JP
21-Apr-2000 18:05 PM EDT (21-Apr-2000 2205 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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