Chechen President and Moscow proxy Razman Kadyrov gave an interview to Kommersant. Here are a few of his choice statements.
Putin as President-for-life:
“Why can Kazakhstan have a president-for-life? Or Turkmenistan? Why can’t Russia have one too?”
“Putin gave the Chechen people a second life! Allah appointed him to his place.”
“I am not the FSB‘s or the Main Intelligence Department’s man, I am Putin’s man. His policies, his word, for me is law. We are traveling his road. Putin saved our people, he is a hero. He not only saved us, he saved Russia. How can we not bow down before him as a person? I never liked to say pretty words in front of anyone, but Putin is God’s gift, he gave us freedom.
On Putin’s successor:
“A successor is a successor, but Putin is a personality.”
Kadyrov on Kadyrov:
“A cult of personality? Maybe in the good sense of the word. If I am carrying out the policy of the center, and 94-95 percent of the populace supports that policy and they hang some pictures somewhere, that doesn’t mean that it is a cult of personality. It means the right policy. If they burned the portraits and tore them up, that would be bad. But you see that, even if they hang the portrait of Putin or Kadyrov in the forest, no one will touch it. “
“I, Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov, am the way I am. I cannot be any different.”
On the Opposition and Criticism:
“No, I don’t see one. If there is, I welcome it. Opposition. What is that?”
“Well… I was among the people not long ago, and a woman said to me, “I used to hate you, but now I see your actions and I welcome you.”
Kadyrov in third person:
“[Malik Saidullaev] didn’t know Kadyrov’s real policy.”
“It was a historically important step when Kadyrov united the people.”
“Anyone will tell you that Kadyrov has authority, that he is respected, that he is a leader.”
“Basaeyev, who was a scumbag beyond doubt, conveniently gave them the come-on.”
That might have been the point you know — to trigger jihad. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to learn that Basaev and Khattab had received Gulf money precisely for the purpose of invading Dagestan. They at least had enough cash to support a couple of thousand soldiers, many of which were supposedly mercenaries.
Your sarcastic comments of my on the record commentary on disputed former Communist bloc territories reveals an extreme ignorance on your part.
How was what I said sarcastic? I, peronsally, would like to see some consistency in approach to all the unresolved territories. It’s a shame you don’t share that view, it makes find a sense a justice and equality much more difficult. I will admit I am completely ignorant of your “on the record commentary.” I have no idea who you are, and have never read anything by you.
Each case should be viewed on its merits.
You made an offhand comment comparing Kosovo and Transnistria, and I assumed this meant that one should compare them, based on common measures. Apparently, you think that each can be examined on its own, a position remarkably close to the State Department.
If Kosovo should be independent, than Trans-Dniester should be since it has the much better case for independence. It’s disingenuous to claim differently.
Oh, wait, so they should be compared.
“Each case should be compared on their own merits. How dare you give them independence but not us, our case it way better!!!!”
I can see that your style of argumentation is quite . . . nuanced.
Trans-Dniester’s Ukrainian population are generally in line with Blue Ukraine.
You’re thinking too much like a Westerner. The majority of Ukrainians don’t care about Blue or Orange, or even Red. They’re sick of politics, because there is no such thing as politics in this part of the world. It’s all about individuals, money, and how they intersect. Moldova and the PMR is no different.
Kaliningrad wants to remain part of Russia
I bet if you asked the people of Kaliningrad if they’d rather be in Russia or the EU, there’d be no hesitation. But again, you’re justifiying it’s inclusion into Russia though it was only transfered 60 years ago. Moldova and Transnistria were part of the same empire for longer than that.
“But again, you’re justifiying it’s inclusion into Russia though it was only transfered 60 years ago.”
True, but the previous Koenigsberg population is no longer there due to the ethnic cleansing of Germans that took place in Eastern Europe after the war.
Owen, call it what you want, I detected what could be called sarcasm on your part. On the other hand, in your own way, you seem to be an honest broker as per your comments at another thread about what Russian speakers face in Moldova.
The all or nothing approach isn’t appropriate because not every independence claim is as valid. In many instances, it’s frankly a matter of might making right. I recently made the analogy of applying for a loan or job. Not everyone qualifies because he or she doesn’t have the same qualifications. Such processes become corrupted when done unfairly.
The Kaliningrad issue isn’t appropriate because it relates to another era and the matter of Poland’s post WW II western boundary. We’re living in a post Cold War new world order. The people now living in Kaliningrad and western Poland aren’t looking to join Germany.
Pridnestrovie has no “Greater Pridnestrovie” ambitions. How aware are you of the Greater Albania movement? Given Kosovo Albanian political realities, I don’t for a moment trust a foreign troop withdrawal and Kosovo independence as bringing greater security to the Balkans. There’s also the matter of respecting the rights of Serbia. Moldova’s historical claim on Pridnestrovie is considerably less.
“Pity the fool.”
Mr. T … is that you?
Much debate regarding Russia and Chechnya and who is to blame for starting which war at such-and-such a time.
Time to take a step back and acknowledge a simple point: I’ve never met a Russian who had much of anything good to say about Chechens, in general. In fact, I’ve been told that the Russian word or name for Chechen is derived form or is equivalent to “Bandit”.
After the first Russian-Chechen war of the mid 90s, almost any misdeed or aggressive act by Chechen rebels was going to be met with all the conventional force that Russia could muster. While the raid by Basayev and others into Dagestan in August 1999 was small, it was all the excuse Russia needed to open up another can of whup-ass. The September apartment bombing just added fuel to the fire.
Much further back in time than any of these events of the 90s, these are two groups of people that have been wanting a piece of each other for a long, long time. They’ve had wars against the Russians, on and off, for several hundred years. It won’t be any great surprise if they continue to have conflicts with each other hundreds of years hence.
Regarding Putin’s popularity and some attempt to link it to success in Chechnya – give me a break. A very large portion of Putin’s popularity is tied to the success of the Russian economy. Russia is no different than any other country in this regard. If Russia had the continued economic chaos of the late 90s, but success in Chechnya .. I am quite sure that Putin’s popularity would be less than half of what it is now.
Along similar lines, if Chechnya were still in a festering state of war .. but the Russian economy was booming … I very much doubt that Putin’s popularity would take more than a hit of a few percentage points (if that).
The fact is, Chechnya is a small corner of Russia, far removed from the daily lives of most of Russia’s citizens. The terrible events of the Moscow Theater hostage crisis and Beslan have kept hatred and awareness of the festering wound that is Chechnya rather high in Russian’s minds. Without those motives for revenge, most Russians would have cared less about the outcome of Chechnya.
Even with those events, most of my educated Russian friends have indicated that Russia just should have let Chechnya go and have independence a long time ago … why be bothered with “those people”? (Insert the colorful phrase of your choice for “those people”)
Mr. T had his moment in Rocky I think it’s III and a not so great series T & T.
There’s a Cossack factor regarding some of Chechnya’s formally Soviet drawn boundaries.
It’s not a good idea for Russia to give independence to an entity showing lawless aspects that spillover or have the potential to do so. In any event, the mood for an independent Chechnya has dissipated. This has to do with what was evident when that republic was for the most part independent in two different instances during the last decade.
It’s true that there’s a good deal of animosity between Russians and Chechens. One can say the same of many Whites and Blacks in America. Modernity has helped change such aspects. The “mountain” (if you may) Chechens tend to differ from those from more urban areas.
Hi guys.
What are you talking about?
Who cares who starts a war? Who wins (and who looses) it – that matters
)
And we all know who won. As well as – who lost.
What we don’t know – where are graves of Dudaev, Maskhadov, Basaev, Khatab & Co. But I can live with it easily and, frankly, satisfied but that fact.
PS. As to Kadyrov – he is a smart guy. And knows the rules of the game. So I doubt (very much) that he is eager to change his palace in Grozny for a cave in mountains.
2 irishman – ???? ??????, ??????.
Posted by Chrisius Maximus
“I wouldn’t at all be surprised to learn that Basaev and Khattab had received Gulf money precisely for the purpose of invading Dagestan. They at least had enough cash to support a couple of thousand soldiers, many of which were supposedly mercenaries.”
Jihad… money from the Gulf …. to support soldiers … mercenaries
This doesn’t sound like a people’s war for independence, does it?
Well, let’s say that all these rumors about Gulf money, about jihad etc. were just Kremlin’s propaganda. And every “f^%* fighter” was really-really fighting for independence etc.
But can you explain a simple fact that even at their best time they didn’t have more than 10.000 “soldiers”. Which is less than 1% of population….
I guess that 1% is not enough to draw conclusion about real will of people living there.
PS. “f^%* fighters” is not what you might think. It’s just “freedom fighters”
))
But can you explain a simple fact that even at their best time they didn’t have more than 10.000 “soldiers”. Which is less than 1% of population….
I guess that 1% is not enough to draw conclusion about real will of people living there.
Not much more is needed to fight a guerrilla war. In fact less is better. Most national liberation movements have small armed forces. So I doubt troop size is really an indication of support.
But the Chechen independence movement appears did get crushed or at least fragmented across the region. Chechenization has worked to minimize guerrilla activity. Plus ironically, Kadyrov has gained Chechnya quasi-independence. They have a President, Prime Ministry and government, armed forces, etc. They are all but a nation-state in content, just not in form. Though the this quasi-nation only exists at the Kremlin’s pleasure.
They are all but a nation-state in content, just not in form. Though the this quasi-nation only exists at the Kremlin’s pleasure.
Indeed, so if Kadyrov increases his power and builds up his private army, it is hard to imagine him giving up some or all of his powers quietly should the Kremlin’s attitude towards him sour for whatever reason.
He is probably to the Kremlin what Noriega (and others) were to the US: the least worst option at the time, but likely to cause a whole heap of trouble in the future.
That last point about Noriega was already noted here by someone else.
Mike/Tim,
the comparison with Noriega is very interesting actually(and you did say it earlier in fairness to you Mike), and I wonder what the Russians are going to do with him when he stops doing their bidding. I read one time a while back that the Kremlin had other people in mind, or rather, didnt really want to give it to him. I’ve heard he’s quite rough – I mean literally. Whats the story on that? I admit to knowing little about him. Is he all that popular with the population, I wonder?
”Who cares who starts a war? Who wins (and who looses) it – that matters
)”
Well said Ivanov. You might apply the same to Russia’s hammering in 1996 by a few hundred rebels with kalashnikovs and grenade launchers. Now that was funny. And well due too at the time.
”2 irishman – ???? ??????, ??????.”
I could reply in kind, but I’ll resist. I’m trying to be a better person, everyone)! I’m taking it one day at a time)
“Well, let’s say that all these rumors about Gulf money, about jihad etc. were just Kremlin’s propaganda. And every “f^%* fighter” was really-really fighting for independence etc.”
Not only that, most of those former “independence fighters” are now working for Kadyrov!
This “beating the other side by hiring them” tactic seems to work pretty well. Didn’t Russian win the Caucasus Wars in pretty much the same way — by giving Islam Shamil a giant estate near St. Petersburg?
“the comparison with Noriega is very interesting actually(and you did say it earlier in fairness to you Mike), and I wonder what the Russians are going to do with him when he stops doing their bidding. I read one time a while back that the Kremlin had other people in mind, or rather, didnt really want to give it to him. I’ve heard he’s quite rough – I mean literally. Whats the story on that? I admit to knowing little about him. Is he all that popular with the population, I wonder?”
I think the Kremlin would have greatly prefered Alkhanov.
Kadyrov is indeed supposed to be quite popular, but I haven’t seen any scientific evidence produced to back up that statement.
Chechnya’s stabilizing, the infrastructure is starting to work again, money is pouring in. When was the last time Chechya had functioning infrastructure, 1992? Plus he’s a rather strong Chechen nationalist and populist.
Plus I would guess he has the main teips allied with him, and their mambers falling into line. He’s where the money is after all. A few years ago a Chechen fighter could get money from international Islamist sources, but that largely dried up post-September 11 2001.
Chris,
I’m not disagreeing with you on the estate bit, but Imam Shamil’s son had been kidnapped by the Russians and taken to Petes as an infant, and dangled as a carrot to help persudae him surrender. He was all set to do it, when at the last minute he allegedly ‘moved the goalposts” and started demanding money!) So i guess everyone has his price. I thought he was exiled to Kaluga, not Petes. In any event the whole thing couldnt have been dreamt up by the Grimm Brothers. Baryatinksy, the only general to have any real success there,was feted in Petes but then disowned when an affair he was having with another officer’s wife was (deliberately) made public. Seemingly he’d scored half the wives in Russia and he was finally caught with his pants down. Amazing stuff.
I thought it was Piter, but I could be wrong.
Didn’t Shamil (not a Chechen BTW) die in what is now Saudi Arabia?
I think it’s kind of cool that there’s a statue of him in Makhachkala. I wonder if that was built by the Soviets.
Were you in Makhachkala? That must’ve been interesting.
Shamil died on the way to Mecca, as far as I remember. You’re right, I think it may have been in Jeddah. He was some character thats for sure.
No way would I go down there. I;ve never been closer than Rostov-na-Donu. Eto opasnoe mesto. A friend of mine was there in 1998 during the height of the kidnap industry though. He was very cautious whenever he was in a public place for fear of being abducted.
There is a statue of him there, I know that. I suspect it’s an early Soviet piece because up until WW2 Shamil was considered a positive historical figure by the ideology.
I guess that 1% is not enough to draw conclusion about real will of people living there.
Not much more is needed to fight a guerrilla war. In fact less is better. Most national liberation movements have small armed forces. So I doubt troop size is really an indication of support.
I guess this is all my bad English.
I’m talking about people not about gorrillas! Even one gorilla can install explosives.
But it would be wrong assumtion to base opinion about 99% …
But the Chechen independence movement appears did get crushed or at least fragmented across the region. Chechenization has worked to minimize guerrilla activity.
This F%*&& “independence movement” was all over former CCCP and in every part of Russia. And you know why? because every local to-be-gorilla wanted to get some pice of land under his own full control. And it was possible by that time in Russia (and you know this well). And what is the easiest way to get your piec of golden pie? Yes – just go out and start shouting that all problems are from Russia and to solve them – we need independence.
This is what Dudaev did. Former Soviet general and communist. Why all other “republics” didn’t ask for independence – Dagestan, Ingushetia, Osetia etc.? Were they stupid or lazy? They just had a little more wise men in power that days (so were lucky). At least they were smart enough to watch first what happened to Dudaev.
And they made right conclusion out of it. It is better to be “dependent” alive president of his land and people that “independent” dead one without even a grave.
Do you know how many Chechens were fighting with these “f^%^% fighters”, how many died or had to leave? And how Yeltsin betrayed all of them in 1996 in Hasavyurt (or whatever it is in English)?
Plus ironically, Kadyrov has gained Chechnya quasi-independence. They have a President, Prime Ministry and government, armed forces, etc. They are all but a nation-state in content, just not in form. Though the this quasi-nation only exists at the Kremlin’s pleasure.
Ironically but every territory in Russia has their President or governor, as well as government.
(exactly the same structure as former First Secretary of local Party commitee and apparat obkoma KPSS). Just look at muslim states Tatarstan (president Shaimiev for …15 years?), Bashkiria, Kalmykiya, Ingushetiya.
But you are right that Kadyrov “exists at Kremlin’s pleasure”/ More correctly, he has a choice – to loose the prize he won and die as a rat in earth hole. Or play by the rules and keep the prize. maskhadov, basayev, dudaev – they didn’t have anything to loose really. So they were fighting (for different reasons though) for the prize. And they lost. Kadyrov learned this lesson – and was moved to next class
)
PS. This is pure personal opinions. I don’t know a single janitor in the Kremlin
)
I could reply in kind, but I’ll resist.
))
It was just a test of Russian language. Nothing personal
I knew that you knew Russian but I prefer to double check everything.
In any event the whole thing couldnt have been dreamt up by the Grimm Brothers.
they were just poor immitators of reality.
It is very-very old common practice to get relatives as prisoners…just in case. And it was normal “diplomatic” practice by that old times to exchange high ranking relatives as guarantees for the treaty or any kind of important deal. You can read about it in Karamzin “Istoriya gosudarstva rossiyskogo”, for instance….
PS. When there is a Shamil – there will be Ermolov
)
Shamil died during his hadzh to Mecca. But first he was allowed to go there by Russian Imperator (after swearing to be loyal to Russia).
“Just look at muslim states Tatarstan (president Shaimiev for …15 years?), Bashkiria, Kalmykiya, Ingushetiya.”
Kalmykia is Buddhist. Just to quibble.
I think it is muslim.
Budhizm is “popular” further east – in Buryatya mainly.
But anyway – this is just another sample of tolerance.
Nein, mein Herr! The Kalmyks are Buddhists: http://kalm.ru/ru/religion.html
Precisely, they are Lamaists.
Nein, mein Herr! The Kalmyks are Buddhists:
Precisely, they are Lamaists.
Yes you right. They are mongols.
))
)
But their main religion is …chess
And their president is the FIDE president as well
BTW if you think he is somewhat better than Kadyrov – you might be very wrong. And he is much more experienced – president since 1993!!!
Chris:
I do actually find Kadyrov to be very charismatic in a badass, “Shaft of the Mountains” kind of way.
He’s a bad mutha –
Shut yo’ mouth!
I understand this was at least partially in jest and that Ramzanchik (which I would never call him in person for fear of being spit-roasted and fed to his dogs) has the respect of his narod, but I have to quibble. This is a guy who (to pick perhaps his most minor sin) welcomed washed-up boxed and convicted rapist “Iron” Mike Tyson to Chechnya a couple of years ago as a hero. Where I grew up, people wore “Free ‘Iron’ Mike” T-shirts when he was in the pokey, which just shows that people can have a “badass” public image and get respect from the narod while being scumbags (or perhaps in Tyson’s case he was just a guy who got too rich too fast and had no guidance, but still).
I really did respect his father a lot and was very saddened when he was killed.
I’m certainly never happy to see a public figure blown up at a parade, but Akhmad was after all the head Mufti of Ichkeria in the mid ’90s, and then turned coat to go over to the Russian side by the end of the decade. Do you respect the betrayal of his people (or the cause), or do you think it was just the wiser choice on his part to knuckle under to Moscow on the early side because he recognized before others did the insurgency was doomed?
I also thought Imam Shamil’ was sent up to Piter once he agreed to make peace with the Empire; and I’d love to go to Makhachkala to check on the presence of that statue, but probably ne svetit on that for the next little while, unfortunately.
ivanov:
When there is a Shamil – there will be Ermolov
)
“??????? ?????? – ???? ???????!”
Classic.
which I would never call him in person for fear of being spit-roasted and fed to his dogs)
Lyndon. I don’t have dogs (I like cats for their independence). But it would be a bad idea for you to call me in person as “ivanchik” as well.
“convicted rapist “Iron” Mike Tyson to Chechnya”
What’s wrong with that? He served his sentence, right? And if he is really that bad guy – why is he not in the cell? So – he is a free person, sportsmen – so can visit anyone
But I’m concerned a little – you sound like rasist in this case (and you know nicknames for guys from Kavkaz, don’t you?)
I’m certainly never happy to see a public figure blown up at a parade, but Akhmad was after all the head Mufti of Ichkeria in the mid ’90s, and then turned coat to go over to the Russian side by the end of the decade. Do you respect the betrayal of his people (or the cause), or do you think it was just the wiser choice on his part to knuckle under to Moscow on the early side because he recognized before others did the insurgency was doomed?
Have it ever came to your mind that Akhmad was wise enough to see who is in fact betraying and causing his narod trouble – Dudaev, Maskhadov, Basaev?
This F&^% “insurgency” was doomed – that’s right. Do you think that “insurgency” in Iraq is doomed as well? And labeling everything you don’t like with “made by Moscow” sticker won’t lead you anywehre.
Shortly before his death Akhamd was asked if he was afraid or concerned to be killed (by “insurgents”). Have you heard his answer to this question?
And last note. If you think that Beslan school was attacked by “insurgents” – you don’t need to answer to me at all.
PS Im’a not Ivanov…just “ivanov”
Leave it to Lyndon to come up with the mischievous asshole remarks in an obvious effort to drive attention away from the fact that Moldova, Latvia and Estonia are more restrictive on language rights than Pridnestrovie.
Lyndon doesn’t seem to deny that Moldovan is the only official language in Moldova whereas the PMR has three.
On the subject of the non-discussion related issue he raised: I see that Russia Blog took down Lavelle’s blog and some others as well. That has nothing to do with the points raised here. But that’s Lyndon for you.
I’m sure he can’t be too happy about what a leading Romanian bishops said about how Pridnestroive should be considered separate from Moldova
http://triaspoltimes.com
That’s http://tiraspoltimes.com
My last two comments here having been meant for another thread.
ivanov:
What’s wrong with that?
Nothing really, I suppose, I just don’t think Tyson is the kind of person who should be venerated.
He served his sentence, right? And if he is really that bad guy – why is he not in the cell? So – he is a free person, sportsmen – so can visit anyone
True enough.
But I’m concerned a little – you sound like rasist in this case
What makes you say that?
(and you know nicknames for guys from Kavkaz, don’t you?)
I know them, but that doesn’t mean I use them.
Have it ever came to your mind that Akhmad was wise enough to see who is in fact betraying and causing his narod trouble – Dudaev, Maskhadov, Basaev?
Of course it’s come to my mind, although I think Basaev was the only one of whom it can unequivocally be said that he caused the Chechens trouble (and not only the Chechens). Obviously the other two caused a great deal of trouble for Chechens and lots of others as well, but I don’t think their motivations were necessarily bad.
This F&^% “insurgency” was doomed – that’s right. Do you think that “insurgency” in Iraq is doomed as well?
I think the insurgents in Iraq are more likely to doom the American occupation than the other way around. And I agree that on many occasions people acting in the name of Chechen independence carried out terrorist acts in Russia, so I understand why you take issue with the use of the term “insurgency.”
And labeling everything you don’t like with “made by Moscow” sticker won’t lead you anywehre.
Where do you see me doing that?
And last note. If you think that Beslan school was attacked by “insurgents” – you don’t need to answer to me at all.
No, those were pretty clearly terrorists. So I hope it’s permissible for me to answer you.
ivanov
”I could reply in kind, but I’ll resist.
))”
It was just a test of Russian language. Nothing personal
No offence taken)
Bad and all as my Russian is, I remember plenty of insults and swear words) I remember once I was at a produkty in Prospekt Vernadkogo metro station buying a packet of smokes. An evil babushka launched into one of the foulest tirades I’ve ever heard to this sexy young girl behind the counter. You wouldnt have heard as much filth on inside a Russian police station. The girl burst into tears. I went bananas, and called her ever dirty name I could think of – in Irish! Her jaw dropped and the whole shop started laughing and shouting URA! I was proud of that one!
Didnt get me into the shop-girl’s knickers though)! Groan! A while later on womens day I went in and bought a box of chocolates and then handed them to her! She was the kind of girl though that had plenty of admirers. The fact that I’m not quite Brad Pitt likely had something to do with it to.
Lyndon
”I also thought Imam Shamil’ was sent up to Piter once he agreed to make peace with the Empire;”
He was, and shown around like a prized bull, but when the novelty wore off he was packed off to Kaluga as far as I know.
“??????? ?????? – ???? ???????!”
Seemingly Yermolov could talk the talk but couldnt walk the walk. In the end, lest I be mistaken, it was Baryatinsky who defeated Shamil. Yermolov had no control whatsoever over the mountains, something which Baryatinsky managed to achieve in some measure, by raiding in much the same way the Chechens did. The whole story there though is fascinating. I often wonder why people are interested in Star Wars and the like. History and real life are always much more interesting, and the battles, intrigues and romances of Russia’s conquest of the Caucuses one couldnt dream up.
ivanov:
Shortly before his death Akhamd was asked if he was afraid or concerned to be killed (by “insurgents”). Have you heard his answer to this question?
Actually, I recall hearing it at the time, but do you have a link handy? I’d like to read it again.
But it would be a bad idea for you to call me in person as “ivanchik” as well.
Perhaps I should have used “Ramzancheg” (credit to “Mr. Parker,” I believe) and not “Ramzanchik”…
PS Im’a not Ivanov…just “ivanov”
Not Sergei Borisovich?
Ger:
“??????? ?????? – ???? ???????!”
Seemingly Yermolov could talk the talk but couldnt walk the walk.
That quote is from Pushkin’s Kavkazskii Plennik (which may not be news to anyone here) – images of the Chechen conflict from 19th C literature are quite fascinating, not to mention the actual history. The picture I’ve seen of Yermolov certainly makes him look imposing, and I think he was the one who named “Groznyy” – part of a series of forts set up around 1820 with the goal of having intimidating (and perhaps also morale-boosting) names. Another one was “Vnezapnyi,” and I think there were others. I guess the idea of hopefully named military bases and operations (e.g., “Iraqi Freedom”) has a long tradition.
|I’m certainly never happy to see a public figure blown up at a parade, but Akhmad was after all the head Mufti of Ichkeria in the mid ’90s, and then turned coat to go over to the Russian side by the end of the decade. Do you respect the betrayal of his people (or the cause), or do you think it was just the wiser choice on his part to knuckle under to Moscow on the early side because he recognized before others did the insurgency was doomed?”
Kadyrov Sr. did not switch sides. He was a traditionalist Sufi and Chechen nationalist who was horrified by the Wahhabization of Chechnya by Khattab and Co. He was never on Khattab’s side. It might even be more proper to say that it was Maskhadov who changed sides.
There’s a long interview with him (edited by me) on this very subject here: http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/7274-15.cfm
“Have it ever came to your mind that Akhmad was wise enough to see who is in fact betraying and causing his narod trouble – Dudaev, Maskhadov, Basaev?”
Ya soglasen. Kadyrov Sr. shines out like a sole light of reason in that horrible time.
Preved
)
ivanov: – But I’m concerned a little – you sound like rasist in this case
Lyndon: What makes you say that?
ivanov: (and you know nicknames for guys from Kavkaz, don’t you?)
Lyndon: I know them, but that doesn’t mean I use them.
)
It’s about color. “??????” or “??????..??” – these words are used about Chechens, right? And you looked like you didn’t like that two “blacks” liked each other. So I assumed that … well, my assumtion looks to be wrong
the other two caused a great deal of trouble for Chechens and lots of others as well, but I don’t think their motivations were necessarily bad.
road to hell is paived with good intentions you know ….
and smell of power and glory turned many wise men into devils..
people acting in the name of Chechen independence carried out terrorist acts in Russia
First of all they brought troubles to people – no matter whether they were Chechens, Jews, Russians, Ukranians etc. – all of them are people. And Chechen people paid the most as you know.
Second – Chechnya is IN Russia
So I hope it’s permissible for me to answer you.
)
)))
I don’t know. I have no power to allow or prohibit anything here. I just said – no need!!!
Just in case (if it’s still not clear) – you got my permission
Actually, I recall hearing it at the time, but do you have a link handy? I’d like to read it again.
Will try to find. But the link below is also good.
PS Im’a not Ivanov…just “ivanov”
Not Sergei Borisovich?
No idea whi this SB is…really