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MASKHADOV: TRUCE CALL ADDRESSED TO PUTIN

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, February 7 (RIA Novosti) - The news about a truce in Chechnya, declared by separatist leaders, had far-reaching repercussions in Russia and abroad during the weekend. Spokesmen for the Russian authorities declared that such statements are just a cheap PR move. Many of them called the order of a cease-fire fake. The Russian daily Kommersant asked the author of the order - Aslan Maskhadov - for comments, submitting its questions to and receiving the reply from his general spokesman.

Mr. Maskhadov confirmed the authenticity of the document. He said the call for truce is just an attempt to demonstrate loyalty to peace and invite the Russian leaders to sit at the negotiating table. He considers that only the joint efforts of the Russian president and the leaders of the self-proclaimed Republic of Ichkeria may head off the catastrophe into which Russia and the whole Caucasus are sliding now. "This is why my call is addressed first of all to the Russian president," he said.

Mr. Maskhadov hopes for an adequate reaction from Russian authorities. That is why after the order on a temporary cessation of all types of offensive combat actions, he issued an order on the appointment of a delegation for contacts with the Russian side.

He warned that if the talks do not produce results, he would consider himself relieved of the moral responsibility for continued war efforts.

If the war ends, he said, all the persons involved in crimes against humanity, including Shamil Basayev, who is suspected of masterminding the seizure of the Dubrovka theater and the Beslan school, will be turned over to the International Tribunal.

"Until then, I will oppose him and other warlords in every possible way in implementing any acts against the peaceful population of Russia," Mr. Maskhadov said. He noted that after the theater siege, Mr. Basayev is no longer a member of the Ichkerian armed forces structures and that is why he may not obey the truce order.