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.”
Razman Kadyrov can probably best be described, from the point of view of the Russian government, as “our son-of-a-bitch”.
As has happened so many times in these kind of relationships, Russia is likely to get an immense amount of trouble from Kadyrov in the future, one way or the other. When it comes, Putin might be glad he is not president for life.
Such are the political realities in Chechnya.
Like it or not, Chechnya has stabilized during Putin’s presidency.
Like it or not, Chechnya has stabilized during Putin’s presidency.
Yes, it has – once the war he started there had finished.
He didn’t start it. It can be said that he seems to have finished it.
Part of the reason why he’s so popular.
He didn’t start it.
No? So who was it that declared the authority of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov and his parliament illegitimate, and announced that Russian troops would mount a land invasion of Chechnya?
You live in Russia and know the Russian langauge, in addition to having a Russian wife? No small wonder why I’ve a number of friendly Russian contacts, given my fact based view on this matter.
Forces from Chechnya attacked Dagestan, with Maskhadov doing little if anything about it, combined with evidence suggesting that he supported such action. At the time, he wasn’t so willing to work with Russia in curbing that action.
The attacks on Dagestan from Chechnya occurred before the apartment bomb blasts in Moscow.
Forces from Chechnya attacked Dagestan, with Maskhadov doing little if anything about it, combined with evidence suggesting that he supported such action. At the time, he wasn’t so willing to work with Russia in curbing that action.
So who are you saying started the Second Chechen War? Maskhadov?
He was the leader of Chechnya at the time of the mentioned situation. At best, he couldn’t control those forces attacking Dagestan. At worst, he supported them. His cooperation level with Russia prior to the Russian military move wasn’t so good.
If any of the above stated is circumspect, please feel free to provide details to the contrary.
At best, he couldn’t control those forces attacking Dagestan. At worst, he supported them. His cooperation level with Russia prior to the Russian military move wasn’t so good.
So these actions or non-actions make Maskhadov responsibly for staring the Second Chechen War? Whereas Putin, by his actions, is not responsible for the same?
First of all Tim, I wouldnt even bother getting into a debate with Mike on Chechnya. This is the man that claimed Russia was right to use military force in 1994. In fact, he didnt even know when the war started – he thought it was the end of 1995. So this is the level of knowledge he has on hand -fuck all, in other words. He’s just parroting the usual kiss-the-Kremlin-arse line. What I’d love to do to him is put him in one of the auls during a Russian clean-up operation. I wonder how many of the drunk, kalashnikov-toting squadies would pause from raping and buring to discuss the Kievan Rus Legacy and PMR independence with him?
Mike,
if you have evidence linking Maskhadov wth the incursion into Dagestan, then please present it. Otherwise, be a man, stop doing this long public Kremlin job plea. The Russians would blame Maskhadov for anything they could, for a very simple reason; their fury at him utterly kicking their arse in 1996. The Russians are sore losers and they had it in for him big-time after that. And they got their man in the end.
Maskhadov couldn’t or didn’t or perhaps both (depending on the given situation) control the growing lawlessness in Chechnya – CHECK
He wasn’t so cooperative with Russian authorites in ending that lawlessness – QUITE APPARENTLY SO
Since the end of the second Chechen war, the situation in that republic has stabilized – CHECK
By world standards (comparing the popularity level of other world leaders in their respective nation), Putin remains very popular in Russia – CHECK
I see the dumbbell came back. He’s right (for a change) in noting that I miss-stated the date of the first Checehen war.
That point aside, he hasn’t proven me wrong on this and other matters.
Pity the fool.
First of all Tim, I wouldnt even bother getting into a debate with Mike on Chechnya.
Oh, I’m not. He’s simply repeating tangentially related points (such as Putin’s popularity) instead of committing himself to saying who bears mostof the responsibility for starting the Second Chechen War, and when Averko starts repeating himself over and over it is a clear sign that the conversation is over.
Newman blatantly lies in his characterization of what I said.
He does this by clearly omitting what I’ve said in full.
Rather foolish seeing how this is clear for all to see.
Your above points, with ‘CHECK’(is that to help you avoid confusing yourself?) in no way address either me or Tim’s request for evidence that Maskhadov either started the second Chechen war or gave the order to incur into Dagestan. Bullshit, hot air, crap, all the usual stuff from you.
Mike, me and everyone else clean you out on every topic and the only one who doesnt see it is you. I gave you a massive hiding on Chechan War One, during which you failed – utterly failed -to provide a single scrap of justification for Russia’s brutal invasion. You see Mike, its very simple – people like you, who blindly support such actions, sicken my stomach. I wonder sometimes are you hoping that your pro-Russia statements will be noted by someone in authority somewhere and that it will help you get that media job you crave so. I daresay it wont, and unlike you, I wont defend or support barbarian actions simply because of some blind obedience to a country whose language you wont even learn. Why dont you go and research and write better articles and learn Russian Mike?
Maybe then you’ll get that job.
Apologies everyone for the rant, but I cannot bear Mike’s take on Chechnya, which is as ignorant, dumb and nationalist as that of the worst tatooed drunks one sees at Dynamo matches.
To be blunt, I’m not Dr. Doolitle and will therefore refrain from corresponding with beings who carry on like animals in the form of not having an honest discourse.
Like the jackass who says I didn’t address specific issues when I in fact did.
You’re not Dr anything Mike, except Dr Bullshit maybe.
The problem with Maskhadov is that he refused or was unable to hand Basaev and Khattab over to the Russian government, persuading the latter that he either was supporting them or was too weak to control them, and thus further jihadi activity would be forthcoming from Chechnya if its Talibanization was allowed to continue.
Speaking as someone who thinks CWII was horrible but necessary, you’re not helping our case, Mike.
How is that Chris?
Lavelle and yourself don’t help “our case” with such banter as what you just posted at the end.
Because stuff like “he didn’t start it, the other guy did! He did it first!” is the stuff of schoolboy debate, like calling people jackasses and numbnuts.
Seriously, what you seem to do is assume a priori that Russia must be right, and then search for justifications. Whereas what I did in the case of CWII, to which I was initially opposed, as I was initially mistakenly opposed to the US anti-Taliban operation in Afghanistan, was read a lot about the subject, think about it, and only THEN come to the conclusion that Russia was right. That is the difference between a moderate Russophile and Putinist such as myself and a ” rah-rah go Russia!” jingoist.
You’re so full of shit on the first point.
Prior to the troll Irishman’s appearance here, I was point by point debunking all of Newman’s points.
Then the troll Irishman appears with bullshit like my getting a date wrong on CC I, and other pints which weren’t being discussed here. Your troll Irishman friend never challenged my points here and yet you chose to make that absurd comment of me.
Your friend Lavelle carries on in the same way. I’m not the only one aware of this.
BTW, have you ever knocked some of the language used at eXile? Your hypocrisy reeks. Meantimee, I play fair and drop the gloves as soon as someone gets unjustly rowdy. I call that earnest activism.
You can go **** yourself with your LIE label of me. Lavelle and yourself are the Roy characterized “self serving bastards” seeking to undercut valid contributors who are seen as threateaning to having a part of a market share.
Hark! Is that the sounds of jingo-jangling spurs I doth hear?
Jingo-jingo-jingo
See, you’re doing your “I know you are, but what am I?” line of argument here, befitting someone with the seeming emotional maturity of an 8-year-old. BTW, your apoplectic fits of jealously toward everybody more successful than you in the Russia punditry biz (i.e., everyone), is not very becoming. Perhaps you would be more successful if you dropped it.
PS. I note you only have a bit over a week before Satan comes to claim his own. Better get working and get booked on Charlie! Time is of the essence, for the stench of the pit doth breath down your neck, Mike!
PPS. what do you all think would be a fitting punishment for Mike in Hell? The Devil needs ideas. To be mauled by savage Russian-speaking sockpuppets for all eternity? Locked in a cell with Ethan Burger? What?
Prior to the troll Irishman’s appearance here, I was point by point debunking all of Newman’s points.
Using the unorthodox method of avoiding answering direct questions, building straw men, and repeating yourself over and over.
As Newman trolls on against me with Doss’ apparent support.
You’re the child here Doss as shown by how you’ve made nice with trolls like the Irishman while engaging in troll like manner of your own.
I don’t carry on like someone lacking a backbone, who issues forced apologies under unjust pressure. Someone who dances with whoever is paying his check. Someone who carries on in a two faced manner.
I’m understandably quite proud of my work on such topics like Vlasov, Captive Nations Committee, Suvorov and disputed former Communnist bloc territories. I defy you to find better work on such topics.
In case oyu haven’t noticed, the media business has a low reputation because of the low life manner existing in it. I’m proud to say that I’m not a part of that aspect of it.
Mike, Tim Newman does not live in Russia and does not speak Russian. There could be some super secret reason that motivates you to come here again and again and write messages back and forth, and comment on whatever Tim Newman creature or Irishman have to say but honestly I have no idea why you are arguing with this scum.
Irishman, there was no “brutal invasion” of Chechnya. One cannot invade one’s own territory or terrotory that belongs to you. If under over million Iraqis died and were murdered during British and American invasion and occupation, Chechen population increased. Putin did an outstanding job at eliminating Islamist and American-sponsored forces in Checnya and he did it in the gentlest manner possible. Compared to actions of Russia’s enemy (US, Britain) in Iraq and elsewhere, in Chechnya Russian forces conducted a humanitarian operation. Kadyrov is no democrat but he is popular among natives and is no puppet. Irishman “cleaning Mike out” on every topic – you don’t clean anyone out. Sean censors other messages which might sound offensive to all the garbage like yourself and that Tim Newman creature, but for some reason allows you clowns to gang up on Mike. Mike is a guilty party here too, why is he arguing with this human scum is beyond me.
Roobit,
”American-sponsored forces in Checnya”
”Chechen population increased”
”..in Chechnya Russian forces conducted a humanitarian operation”
I’m not even going to justify that ridiculous nonsense with a response. Scratching my backside is a more useful exercise.
Why dont you do me a favour? Go and f*** yourself, like a good man. And when you’re finished, I’ll have a large kartochka c lasosom, pazhaluista. I didnt know workers at Kroshka Kartochka had access to the internet.
How’s life in the Kommunalka, by the way?
You make some good points Roob and I know that politically astute mainstream Russians are aware of individuals like Newman and the super troll posting here.
They should also be aware of the opportunistic kind of acts from folks like Chris Doss and his pundit friend.
“a large kartochka c lasosom, pazhaluista. I didnt know workers at Kroshka Kartochka had access to the internet. How’s life in the Kommunalka, by the way?”
That’s it?
Scumbag, you don’t even realize how pathetic you are (. You can’t write in Russian or even transliterate properly. Now there is no Kroshka Kartochka (kartochka would mean a little card?) chain in St. Petersburg but this as allusion to working in fast food restaurant is very stupid, it is is both unoriginal and shows what a piece of shit you (and you are a real piece of excrement). Now, I don’t live in a communal apartment (although many Americans do, they get roommates when they can’t afford to pay rent for entire place on their own) and in all likelihood I am much wealthier than you are. But even if I lived in a communal apartment, then that wouldn’t change anything and your insult makes no sense – why would that be offensive? You can’t even grasp how primitive, stupid but worse disgusting you are. Shithead – I am not wasting time in forums discussing irrelevancies about Ireland (in retrospective, the only place where most of normal folks would have approved of genocide which unfortunately the Brits never had a chance to complete) in an alien language (shouldn’t you be babbling Irish?) with strange people who also bitch about country that is of no importance to them. I don’t care whether Ireland exists or is nuked – same goes for entire Britain. It is you along with a bunch of other trolls like your American boyfriend and the creature that goes around under nickname of Tin Newman who are pissed off with Russia and keep babbling nonsense or assailing Mike, the only sensible person that for some reason comes here. Mike is of course guilty in one respect – he sends me links to this “blog” while in my opinion he should not be debating any with the human garbage like yourself.
I don’t think Putin can bear responsibility for starting the war. As much as I supported the Chechen independence movement in the 90s, the world would be a much worse place if Chechnya was allowed to become another Afghanistan. Chechnya has stabilized, but the war isn’t over. It’s still hot, and there are still Russian soldiers dying, we just don’t hear about it.
One cannot invade one’s own territory or terrotory that belongs to you.
You have a point, but would you say the same thing if Moldova invaded Transnistria?
American-sponsored forces in Checnya
Do you really belive that?
gentlest manner possible
Nope, no rape or murder here. Those lying, evil “Humanitarian NGOs” are making it all up.
Now there is no Kroshka Kartochka (kartochka would mean a little card?)
Actually, there is now. Kroshka Kartoshka recently opened I think three locations. I know that there’s one for sure near Gorkovskaya. I wouldn’t recommend it though, too expensive for what it is.
Why all the hate? I know I’m going to sound like a Hippie (and I really hate Hippies), but there’s a reason that I don’t read La Russophobe. I don’t care for vitriol with my news and commentary (though Coulter can be fun from time to time). I know I’m new here, and y’all are probably pretty fed up with each other by now, but can we tone it down? I mean, when reading these comments, there are entire posts than you just skip over because they don’t contain anything worthwhile. This is a matter close to heart, because I have recently had to deal with a complete psycho poster who devolved into actual physical threats. It’s not worth it. Just don’t respond in kind, normal people won’t think any less of you.
Back on the subject of the post, I recently heard Kadyrov described by a Russian as “A terrorist who’s terrorizing all the other terrorists.”
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 really did respect his father a lot and was very saddened when he was killed.
“
Why all the hate? I know I’m going to sound like a Hippie (and I really hate Hippies), but there’s a reason that I don’t read La Russophobe. I don’t care for vitriol with my news and commentary (though Coulter can be fun from time to time). I know I’m new here, and y’all are probably pretty fed up with each other by now, but can we tone it down?”
D’accord, it’s gotten/getting pretty ugly. I must say, though, that all of it is brought into being by one person who is incapable of posting anything without insulting other people, usually ones who aren’t even present in this blog. This constant drumbeat brings put the worst in people.
For the record, I don’t hate anybody. I just use Mike as an excuse to riff and make jokes. he did after all sell his soul to the devil in order to be able to raise and control sockpuppets, which you gotta admit is pretty funny.
Speaking of which Mike, I think I have a couple of ways you could get out of your impending day of demonic reckoning.
One. Assuming you have the prowess, you can challenge the Devil to a fiddlin’ contest. It’s worked before.
Two. You can start hitting dusty old tomes on arcane lore and black magic in search of some counterspell. I hear there is something called an Elder Sign that might help. In any case, what Russia analyst worth talking about is without a solid grounding in the Dark Arts? The close relationship between Russocentrism and the Things That Should Not Be is an old one, as attested to by the classic novella The Call of Michael McFaul, about a diabolical cult dedicated to raising an immense Russia pundit from Beyond who now lies sleeping along with his gibbering minions in a sunken city with weird, non-Euclidean geometry, but will one day arise when the stars are right to wreak madness and destruction across the Earth.
O friend and companion of night, thou who rejoicest in the baying of dogs and spilt blood, who wanderest in the midst of shades among the tombs, who longest for blood and bringest terror to mortals, Ethan Burger, David Johnson, thousand-faced moon, look favourably on our sacrifices!
Michael McFaul f’thagn!
“I must say, though, that all of it is brought into being by one person who is incapable of posting anything without insulting other people, usually ones who aren’t even present in this blog. This constant drumbeat brings put the worst in people.”
I think this is the first time I am in agreement with Chris…
I used to come back to Sean’s blog and looking at a new post with 30+ comments meant some nice reading time ahead. Now it means skipping endless bickering and endless line of spam posts.
The record shows that Chris Doss initiated manner off the topic as did the person posting as the Irishman. Lavelle and Doss aren’t better representatives of explaining numerous FSU policies. The Irishman posts little in terms of topic related matter
As per this quote:
“You have a point, but would you say the same thing if Moldova invaded Transnistria?”
Trans-Dniester isn’t part of Moldova. It was never part of an independent Moldova and has had a Slavic majority for centuries. Check the USSR history prior to 1940 as well.
I hope we can stay on topic minus the trolling of which I clearly didn’t initiate.
I love the “Shaft of the Mountains” comment. That is an interesting way to label Kadyrov.
There is so much hate in this debate. I mean I hope we can all agree that this “Shaft of the Mountains” is anything but a humanitarian. But I strongly disagree with those who say he isn’t a Putin puppet. He makes it quite clear that he is.
I used to come back to Sean’s blog and looking at a new post with 30+ comments meant some nice reading time ahead. Now it means skipping endless bickering and endless line of spam posts.
Why all the hate? I know I’m going to sound like a Hippie (and I really hate Hippies), but there’s a reason that I don’t read La Russophobe. I don’t care for vitriol with my news and commentary (though Coulter can be fun from time to time). I know I’m new here, and y’all are probably pretty fed up with each other by now, but can we tone it down?
The above statements are truly troublesome and are exactly what I was afraid of when I decided to not have a comments policy. That is, readers, especially new ones like Owen and indridcold2043, getting turned off because of the vitriol on the comments section.
I’m going to think about a policy in the next few days. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to email me.
I hope you got my email Sean. The below comments reflect the kind of discourse I’ve been in full support of
indridcold2043
If you check back, Kadyrov did seem to have some disagreement with the Putin administration.
Newman is right in that somewhere down the road Kadyrov can get into a sharp squabble with Russia. America has had its own differences with leaders who were initially seen as American puppets (Diem and Noriega as two glowing examples). At one time, Idi Amin was in the good graces of several leading countries (Israel, South Africa and if I’m not mistaken the UK).
If Kadyrov is “Putin’s puppet,” well, Putin isn’t probably going to be president for a great while longer, whereas some Russian Federation republic leaders stay politically active for quite some time.
As for Putin’s successor carrying on Putin’s policies, just remember that Putin was appointed as PM by Yeltsin, who endorsed Putin’s presidency. The point being that over time, the next Russian leader is likely to pursue different policies. In any event, Kadyrov says that he respects Putin. What if he doesn’t respect Putin’s successor?
Sean/Cyril/Owen/Peaceful People
apologies for dragging the whole thing down. I kicked off the whole thing having a go at Mike over Chechnya. It doesnt excuse my tone, but I find his justification of mass murder in the first Chechen War hard to swallow.
Mike – the difference between me and you is very simple. I dont feel it necessary to open my mouth when I know nothing about something(most people learn this in their teens) – you however cant keep your trap shut, even when you havent a clue(e.g. Chechnya, the double headed eagle). So again everyone apologies, but if questioning rubbish is naughty, then I’m guilty as charged.
Trans-Dniester isn’t part of Moldova. It was never part of an independent Moldova
The borders of the FSU stayed intact, and unless you want to change that, Transnistria is internationally recognized as a part of Moldova. If you really feel that pre-1940 history is what counts, what claim does Russia have on Kaliningrad? If you do feel that the internal borders of the USSR should be reexamined, then why shouldn’t Chechnya have a right to it?
I would have thought that you were one of the supporters of a “single standard.” Oh no, one standard for the territory of Russia, and another for the territory of Moldova.
Slavic majority for centuries
This has always struck me as one of the most disingenuous arguments out there. “Slavic” is an absurd political category. Slavs have a long history of hating and waging war on each other. Recent events in Ukraine and Russia demonstrate pretty clearly that those two branches of Slavs can’t be considered a single political unit. That said, Moldovans are the single largest ethnic group on the territory of Transnistria. If you remove Tiraspol, they’re an absolute majority.
Moreover, I thought you said that the Transnistria issue wasn’t about nationality. Furthermore, if you’re defining “territoriality” as corresponding to ethnicity, well, doesn’t that give an independent Chechnya more legitimacy?
Sean:
The Irishman proves my point again. What did he just post which refutes my FSU subject matter related commentary. He’s a disgusting individual.
Owen:
I’ll momentarily be back with you. Must run to the post office.
(This is Indridcold2043, just changed the name)
Reverting to Kadyrov as a puppet:
I think it will be interesting to see the kind of relationship the pro-Moscow Chechen leadership will have with Russia when Putin is gone. I strongly believe that Kadyrov has this obsession with Putin. I mean the most recent interview he has further endorses this view.
But like yourself Averko, I do wonder what will happen when Putin is gone. I guess it all depends on the successor. I am sure there will be changes in Russia’s policy towards Chechnya. Either way, Kadyrov is a Putin loyalist, not a Russia loyalist.
Owen:
Your sarcastic comments of my on the record commentary on disputed former Communist bloc territories reveals an extreme ignorance on your part. I don’t support the all or nothing approach. Each case should be viewed on its merits.
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.
The Moldovans of Trans-Dniester overwhelmingly back the Sept. 17 independence referendum. The Slavic majority in Trans-Dniester have clear Russocentric leanings. Show me tensions between the Russian and Ukrainian populations of Trans-Dniester. Trans-Dniester’s Ukrainian population are generally in line with Blue Ukraine. Suvorov is a hero in Russia. Ditto Trans-Dniester.
Your points about Russia and Ukraine are off base. The Galician consensus very much contrasts from what’s found in eastern and southern Ukraine. Central Ukraine is more of a mixed bag, while being more towards a Russocentric leaning as opposed to the general Galican view. Sharing Galicia’s view are Trans-Carpathia and Bukovina. Even those two regions have dissenters to the predominating Galician perspective. I might soon have something out detailing the matter of Galicia and the Russo-Ukrainian relationship.
Chechnya no longer strives for independence because of what independence in near reality caused for that republic in the last decade. It’s also 100% surrounded by the rest of Russia. Chechnya has been part of Russia for well over a century and never an independent entity by itself.
Kaliningrad falls into the category of Poland’s post WW II western boundaries. Kaliningrad wants to remain part of Russia as does Poland’s western boundaries.
Correction on my very last point. Meant to say that Poland’s current western boundary desires remaining a part of Poland.
Mike:
[Chechnya is] also 100% surrounded by the rest of Russia.
You may want to look at a map and issue another correction. Chechnya has a roughly 80-km border with Georgia, a border which has played a fairly important role in the conflict (both in reality and in the imaginations and public statements of people on all sides).
Oops! You got me.
”Chechnya no longer strives for independence because of what independence in near reality caused for that republic in the last decade.”
I’ll put it a bit more accurately:
Chechnya no longer strives for independence because it has been bombed, burned and raped into submission by the Russians army and air force, as well as starved of promised funds and aid by Moscow during its limited independence which, along with newly unemployed rebels, prevented a fairly elected president from executing his duties. Independence didnt cause Chechens to become war weary. War did. Chechnya is as entitled to have independence aspirations as the PMR is. If you were given an op-ed by the Vedeno Rebel Times, would your mind change on Chechen independence? You know nothing at all of how the fun and games even started there, as you’ve admitted on posts elsewhere. So how you can claim that the PMR has a better case for independence than Chechnya is beyond me. And would you clarify something for me – does Kosovo have an Albanian/muslim majority or not?
As an aside, you’re regularily starting trouble here and then walking away, saying ”I want to stay on topic”. Would you take note of the above comment by you:
”Your sarcastic comments of my on the record commentary on disputed former Communist bloc territories reveals an extreme ignorance on your part.”
Owen said nothing sarcastic at all, he, like many of us here, simply questioned your logic and when you couldnt handle that you started firing shit. This has happened time and again here, and I cant be the only one to have noticed it.
Yes he did and in any event who the **** elected you as policeman you miserable…
You make it out like Dudayev, Maskhadov and Basayev had no role in igniting conflict there.
I’m still smarting over forgetting about the good old Pankisi Gorge.
Oh well. I’ve been too deeply involved with another FSU topic.
”Yes he did and in any event who the **** elected you as policeman you miserable…”
Mike, I simply noted how you start trouble regularily and walk away from it. Owen did not offend you, he challenged you, and you couldnt handle it. This happens all the time. Grow Up. I notice your tone is as foul as usual.
”I’m still smarting over forgetting about the good old Pankisi Gorge.”
Mike, you know little or nothing about Chechnya, not even the bluffers guide. Up until a few weeks ago you didnt even know who Yermolov and Baryatinksy were – basic knowledge for anyone passing any sort of comment on the issue. Again, it goes back to your childish inability to stay out of topics you know nothing about. You’ll see me steer well clear of a lot of topics, cos I havent a clue. And, unlike you, I’m adult enough to admit that.
”You make it out like Dudayev, Maskhadov and Basayev had no role in igniting conflict there.”
A very broad statement which means nothing really. Which conflict? Chechen War I or II? Dudayev was long dead in september 1999, whilst Maskhadov allegedly had nothing to do with the incursions into Dagestan. Basayev certainly was involved, there’s no doubting that. Maskhadov was the commander of the Chechen rebel forces in from 1995-1996, but he didnt invite the Russians in, nor did Dudayev. No Chechen wanted to see the Russian invasion occur in 1994.
“No Chechen wanted to see the Russian invasion occur in 1994.”
They may have in 1999 though.
Like I have said elsewhere, you really don’t know why people in Chechnya think the way they do — you’re just drawing inferences.
By all accounts I’ve seen Ramzan is indeed popular.
Chris,
inferences they may be but they’re not all that hard to draw in fairness. My apologies Chris again for not heading to Grozny, Urs-Martan and even up to Vedeno to take polls to help validate my opinions.I only got as far as Mozdok. But I am fairly certain from what I’ve read that the vast majority of Chechens were not happy to see Russian tanks pour over the border in late 1994.
As for 1999, I dont know. In my mind I gave up on the subject in despair when the Russians re-invaded. I arrived in Moscow just after the apartment bombings occured and I thought to myself there’s big trouble ahead. I knew one day the Russians would be back, it was just a matter of when. Basaeyev, who was a scumbag beyond doubt, conveniently gave them the come-on.
As for Kadyrov, I havent a clue, though I daresay whatever stability he has brought – if he is indeed responsible for it, rather than the country simply being weary from war – is certainly welcome. But thats as much as I can say about him.