halldor
10-26-2002, 03:14 PM
Statement by President of the ChRI A. Maskhadov
I watched the events in Moscow during these days with deep anxiety.
Because of the specific circumstances, I couldn't contact the press,
give a special interview, make a statement, and so on. My Special
Representative A. Zakayev constantly kept in contact with me. His
statements were made with my approval.
We resolutely reject terror as a method for achieving any goals.
Although we declare that the known action to seize the theater wasn't
connected with any of our official structures, I, as the President of
the ChRI, feel responsible for those who in desperation went to
sacrifice themselves. But I place an even larger responsibility on the
Russian leadership, which by its barbarous, misanthropic policy against
the people has brought thousands of Chechens to a state when they don't
see any sense in living on. We did everything we could to avoid
bloodshed. A. Zakayev turned to the Chechens in the theater in my name.
We called them to come to their senses.
After the events, I am absolutely convinced that it would have been
possible to avoid the bloodshed. It is clear that a peaceful outcome
wasn't in the plans of those who are responsible for the death of tens
of thousands of absolutey innocent people. For myself personally, as
well as on behalf of the whole Chechen nation, I express my deep
condolences to the relatives and friends of all those who perished
during the ignominous assault on the theatre by the Russian security
forces.
GIA CHECHENPRESS, 26 October 2002.
I watched the events in Moscow during these days with deep anxiety.
Because of the specific circumstances, I couldn't contact the press,
give a special interview, make a statement, and so on. My Special
Representative A. Zakayev constantly kept in contact with me. His
statements were made with my approval.
We resolutely reject terror as a method for achieving any goals.
Although we declare that the known action to seize the theater wasn't
connected with any of our official structures, I, as the President of
the ChRI, feel responsible for those who in desperation went to
sacrifice themselves. But I place an even larger responsibility on the
Russian leadership, which by its barbarous, misanthropic policy against
the people has brought thousands of Chechens to a state when they don't
see any sense in living on. We did everything we could to avoid
bloodshed. A. Zakayev turned to the Chechens in the theater in my name.
We called them to come to their senses.
After the events, I am absolutely convinced that it would have been
possible to avoid the bloodshed. It is clear that a peaceful outcome
wasn't in the plans of those who are responsible for the death of tens
of thousands of absolutey innocent people. For myself personally, as
well as on behalf of the whole Chechen nation, I express my deep
condolences to the relatives and friends of all those who perished
during the ignominous assault on the theatre by the Russian security
forces.
GIA CHECHENPRESS, 26 October 2002.