Riigikogu Chechnya Support Group Statement
November 4, 2002

The Riigikogu Chechnya Support Group expresses grave concern regarding the Russian government’s initiation of xenophobia and the suffocation of freedom of the press on the Chechnya issue. The Russian position, which rules out negotiations with the legally elected president of the Chechen Republic Aslan Mashadov and even fabricates unsubstantiated accusations against his representative, is not acceptable.
This kind of attitude will not solve the crisis in Chechnya, but will, on the contrary, deepen it.

We stress that the Riigikogu Chechnya Support Group has repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including the taking of hostages.

The Russian position, which equates the Chechen people with terrorists, does not conform to the principles that a member of the Council of Europe must espouse. Such a position justifies and fosters genocide. The international community cannot remain a silent observer of such developments.

We feel that every nation must have an inalienable right to self-determination. The forcible suppression of this right is inhumane and constitutes a threat to the security of all nations.

The war started by Russia against the Chechen people must be ended immediately, an international peace mission must be formed, and the legally elected President of the Chechen Republic recognized as the authorized representative of the Chechens in the negotiations.

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