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CONCLUSION
History ties some really tight knots of its own. Basque terrorists continue to stage explosions all over that generally well-to-do Spain. The British bulldog, which is the father of democracy, has been holding Belfast in its iron grip for more than 30 consecutive years despite the fact that the fight against the Irish Republican Army costs it dearly in terms of money and losses. Neither Spain, nor Great Britain want to cede even an inch of their territory to separatists. However, no one doubts the noble nature of Spain's monarch and the British Queen, as well as the democratic essence of Spanish and British governments.
In fact, this situation has persisted always and just about everywhere. Spain, which had discarded its colonial interests, decided to withdraw from Latin America. Meanwhile, owing to that tremendous economic and spiritual integration, Spain is unable to part with its Basque province. Great Britain, which had left India after the Second World War, can't cede Belfast for the very same reason. France, which had granted independence to Algeria, will never lavish the same gift on Corsica. Thank God, Russia had withdrawn its armed forces from Afghanistan more than 11 years ago, also parting with other former Soviet republics rather painfully, albeit in a peaceful manner. Nonetheless, Russia is unable to leave Chechnya, without inflicting a terrible wound upon itself, without betraying hundreds of thousands of Russians, who live in the Caucasus, as well as those Caucasian nations, the Chechens included, that advocate an alliance with Moscow.
Chechnya didn't become part and parcel of Russia because the Cossacks had proved to be stronger or smarter than Caucasian abreks (bandits). Chechnya's incorporation into Russia was facilitated by the construction of the Vladikavkaz railroad, as well as by the drilling of the first-ever regional oil well in 1893. The Russians came to the Caucasus in order to build, rather than to rob. This is how mutual osmosis began. Russia is supposed to defend numerous people and interests in the Caucasus. Besides, Russian nationals have accomplished just as much for the Caucasus, as the Chechens have. The Caucasus has become their home a long time ago. The Russian diaspora's rights and interests are no less sacred than those of anyone else.
As we see it, the afore-said documents and testimonies of our fellow journalists, including those of independent and even opposition-minded publications, speak for themselves. Chechnya has missed an historic chance to attain state sovereignty, even if such a chance did exist, through its own fault. The former Russian leadership can be blamed for making numerous and serious mistakes. Meanwhile Chechen politicians, who had staked on separatism, can be accused of committing numerous and serious crimes. Still there exists a difference between these categories. That's why Russian public opinion has supported the Government's efforts to restore constitutional order in Chechnya.
Considering the fact that Russia is a presidential republic, as well as our already profound knowledge of the new Russian President's personality, one can state with sufficient certainty that this country's new powers-that-be will be more civilized, more organized and tougher than the previous government system. It goes without saying that the above-mentioned qualities will come in handy, all the more so as we heed the long-term nature of Chechen problems.
Civilized and tough behaviour should be harmonically linked with one another because this tandem alone provides a chance for solving the Chechen problem.
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