11 June 2004 15:59
Chechen rebel envoy unsurprised by Russia`s latest extradition bid
[Presenter] The Office of the Prosecutor-General plans to make another attempt to secure the extradition of the
Chechen emissary, Akhmed Zakayev. The head of the State Duma's committee on international affairs, Konstantin
Kosachev, announced this today. In an interview with our radio station Zakayev himself said similar pronouncements by
the top political leadership of Russia over the past three or four years have ceased to surprise him.
[Zakayev, voice recording] I think this stems from a failure to appreciate the complexity of the situation which we
find ourselves in today, both Chechnya and Russia. Until we realize that people who speak of peace between Russia and
Chechnya are not enemies of Russia, are not pro-Chechen countries - [changes thought] today they are interested in the
stability of Europe. Both Chechnya and Russia are part of Europe. For this reason, of course, I really cannot understand
this over-the-top reaction by the [Russian] Foreign Ministry to my visit and my discussions with Norwegian politicians.
And this is not just about Norway. This happens every time I turn up in some European country.
[Presenter] Akhmed Zakayev now lives in London. A British court has already rejected Russia's demand for his
extradition.
[Ekho Moskvy radio] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
