Submit your comments on this article | |
Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia | |
Maskhadov to call it quits? | |
2004-10-23 | |
The Kremlin has made the capture of insurgent leaders a priority in its effort to quell a guerrilla war that has spilled over Chechnya's border several times this year, including the attack last month at Middle School No. 1 in Beslan. Mr. Kadyrov, son of Akhmad Kadyrov, the Chechen president who was assassinated this spring, is young, unrestrained and violent, and often described as a wild card in Chechen affairs. Even as he spoke of imminent success, security agencies involved in the search distanced themselves from his remarks. Maj. Gen. Ilya Shabalkin, for counterterrorism forces in the North Caucasus, said he had no information that Mr. Maskhadov was contemplating surrender. "Let's talk about realistic topics," he said. Sergei N. Ignatchenko, the senior spokesman for the Federal Security Service, the domestic successor to the K.G.B., was more circumspect but made clear the agency would not second Mr. Kadyrov's claim. "Kadyrov said this, and we don't comment on what he says," he said. "There can be no justification for terror against innocent citizens, and that acts like this prevent international recognition of the Chechen state," Mr. Maskhadov said, according to a statement posted on a rebel Web site that has been closely identified with him. | |
Posted by:Dan Darling |