CHECHNYA, Grozny. The information centre of the Chechen (separatist) government (CRI) has issued the text of an interview with President Aslan Maskhadov from 20 June this year. President Maskhadov reaffirmed his willingness to enter into talks with Moscow, on condition a guarantee of security for the Chechen people be given. Below follow excerpts from this interview.

“Russia-s leaders are in confusion: without sparkle or plan. Their whole plan was to have Kadirov-s bloody hands do their dirtiest work. If they have not finally left their senses, they must understand that even if the war proceeds for a further 5 or 10 years, and they find another Kadirov or ten others to do their work, war and treachery will not bring them victory. Only an armistice can end the war. And we offer this. There is however another way: the way of so-called elections, slavery. Well, let them “vote”-

Speaking of actual power, (Russian president Vladimir) Putin deceives himself and others, bringing puppets to the Kremlin, listening to their lies, and relying on them to change the situation in Chechnya. He exposes his policy, to the mirth of the whole world-
But the Russians have nothing new in this policy. It is already more than 300 years old. Russians called out their promises to proud rebellious men, “Go back to your villages! You can keep your weapons, pistols, daggers! You are free to perform your prayers! We will forbid you nothing”. Those who believed this let down their guard and were killed. Everyone knew that on the river Sunzha (KGB headquarters) there were millstones grinding men, women, believers and scholars into a bloody pulp.

Some Chechens think, “Look, let-s leave fighting against Russia out for the time being, let our demands for freedom lapse for now, take a break and create conditions for peace, and then summon new strength and resume battle”. But this is all self-delusion. These people forget that until the relationship with Russia is defined, the genocide will continue and they will consider Chechens their underlings and do whatever they want with us.

Here in the forests it is hard to spot us. Here it is possible to deploy 100, 300, or even more fighters. We can fight, or retreat if we wish to. Our enemies are not able to locate us. They do not know our routes or bases, or about redeployments. If we trust the Russians we will be in the view of their Special Services and be easier for them to liquidate.
I was discussing the second way with our Commanders. A session of the Madzhlis-Al Shura (State Defence Committee) is being prepared. We are obliged to expel the Russians from our country. No “elections”. There are sufficient forces under the CRI President to fight for another 20 years without over-exerting ourselves.

In the past they tried to divide us into tribes, sects, Dzhamaats, Tarikats, Wahhabites. They continue to this day. Some could not stand it and went over to the other side. Thus does the Almighty sift the faithful from the hypocrites. But we will never be seduced or deceived. And we will never grow tired!

And one more thing-whoever takes the Quisling chair: his days are numbered. He will remain in power only for as long as it takes for the hand of the fighters to reach him: be it Aslakhanov, Khasbulatov, even a distant relative of mine; his end will be the same if he comes to power behind a Russian Constitution and Russian policies. Kadirov got his comeuppance, even though he had an escort of 100-200 cars and 3-4,000 armed men wherever he went.

Every fighter, even those who joined just a week ago, knows how to use a walkie-talkie, a landmine, a remote controller and practically any weapon. And when the Kadirov forces and the occupiers kidnap our people, women, men blow themselves up and take these scumbags with them. And nobody has an antidote for this. There is only one truth, that of the Koran and God-s word. Nobody has the power to stop them!

This summer the fighters have serious work at hand. We are sure that we will expel the enemy and bring peace to the people, and then let the people elect their president-

At the start of the war, and today, I say the same thing: “Out with the (Russian) forces, and to the negotiating table. Above all the rights of the people v a guarantee of security”. But Putin replaced Yeltsin and restarted the war. Now we are back to the start. Most important for us is security for the people: the rest can be agreed on. We will not leave this path. The people has now been in constant danger for the last 300 years. When Russians feel like it, they call us their underlings, say we are under their Constitution, make war against us, deport us to Siberia, and before grind us up on the Sunzha millstones.

Nobody has the right to commit such atrocities against the people.

We have Selim Beshayev, Umar Khanbiyev, Akhiad Idigov and others working in Strasbourg and Brussels. Some of them have met with NATO officials. This organisation is hateful to the Russians, as it surrounds her on three sides. And they are not pleased at our contacts. In July, The Netherlands will assume the chairmanship of the European Union, and their leader is calling our representatives. They are not indifferent to us. But the main thing is that the attacks by our fighters against the Russians and the multiplying casualties are unnerving the Russians.

We say to the West, “You have not helped us in this war, did not lift a finger to stop it and solve the problem. But we will take care of it ourselves, with our belief and strength. We have the strength to continue the war”. The time of cringing to Russia is over, and there are now new forces and countries exerting influence in the Caucasus. If the EU helps us to stop the war, sends peacekeeping forces, helps us to build the state, then we will develop cooperation with them. And if not, then others will help us, sooner or later. We state to Russia that if they withdraw their forces, we will strengthen the southern border ourselves and keep out the influence of other countries, keep them from expanding via Chechnya to the Caspian. But only if Russia understands and helps.
All will be alright, with the help of the Almighty. There need be no doubt that Russia will withdraw its forces, and Chechens will be free. Real men are working to this end, and they are many.

A little patience and victory will be ours!