The Kremlin-backed president of Chechnya said Monday he was open to negotiating with rebel leaders if they could ensure that their followers make good on any commitments undertaken in peace talks. Alu Alkhanov said he welcomed “any initiative that brings us closer to peace,” and that he would urge the federal authorities to support talks with rebel commanders if they can guarantee their men will follow their orders to lay down arms. Some 5,000-7,000 former rebels have already laid down arms and returned to peaceful life in Chechnya, Alkhanov said during a news conference in Moscow. But he said radical rebel leader Shamil Basayev could not be engaged because he is “recognized as an international terrorist and, naturally, no one is proposing to hold negotiations with him.”Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.