Feb 06, 2004

Chechen foreign ministry condemns reported terrorist attack in Moscow and calls for peace talks


Press Release from the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Foreign Ministry
The Chechen foreign ministry unequivocally condemns the reported terrorist attack in Moscow metro this morning and calls for peace talks. Killing civilians is as much wrong in Moscow as it is wrong in Chechnya and elsewhere. The world therefore must condemn an illegal violence against civilians both in Chechnya and Russia.

At the same time, we must recognize that condemnation alone has not and will not prevent further violence, bring accountability and guarantee justice. We know that illegal violence against civilians in Chechnya, Russia, the United States or elsewhere is clearly both morally and legally a crime, but we also must know that a failure to recognize and cure the causes of those crimes is a political crime with a far higher price.

The world must stand united against terrorism in all its forms. It must fight against the state of terror and impunity in a Russian-occupied Chechnya as much as it fights against the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere.

Chechens, Russians, and the international community must make a joint effort towards peace and democracy for Chechnya and Russia. We must not delay any longer a political solution to the Russian-Chechen conflict.

The Chechen government has offered Russia and the international community a just and responsible way to end the genocidal war in Chechnya and resolve the Russian-Chechen conflict through an interim Unites Nations administration. We urge Russian government to start genuine and transparent peace talks.