Re: Beslan

[Chris Doss <lookoverhere1@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think Putin would LOVE to let go of Chechnya. But
Kremlin policy is determined by the experience of
1996-1999, when Chechnya was outside of Moscow's
control. During that period, Chechnya became a base
for various forces working to destablize the country,
and it is the fear of having that happen again that is
the motivation for the Kremlin's actions. If it could
be somehow guaranteed that an independent Chechnya
would not produce that kind of threat again, I think
resistance to the idea of leaving would be minimal,
except among really hardline military types.

--
I certainly don't rule out money as a motive for the
group that
pulled off the Beslan attack, but what Putin needs is
not how to
respond to this particular incident but what to do
with Chechnya.  To
my thinking, it is looking like the time has come to
cut the losses
and let go of it.  Is there any benefit to the
Russians in holding on
to Chechnya, despite Moscow's inability to prevent
terrorist attacks
against the Russians?
--
Yoshie




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