11 May 2004 22:54
Gulf Times Editorial, Qatar, May 10
"While those in the Kremlin may mourn the loss of a key player in their Chechen strategy, there will probably
not be many of [Mr Putin's] countrymen who will regret the loss. Not only have the Russians devastated the republic
in their efforts to defeat the separatists . . . Mr Kadyrov's own militiamen are accused of kidnapping, raping and
torturing their fellow citizens . . .
"Indeed, the abuses inflicted on the Chechens have been far more widespread and terrible than those that the
Iraqis have suffered at the hands of the occupation forces. They have received far less attention. In part, that is
because Chechnya is not considered important by the western media. In addition, the EU and US have censored their own
comments because Mr Putin projected Chechnya as a battleground in the 'war on terror' and, of course, Moscow
has done all it can to impose a news blackout on the republic."
[The Guardian] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
