Elena Ioncheva: Organizers of Moscow Siege Sought Kossovo-like Solution

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | October 28, 2002, Monday // 00:00

Elena Ioncheva is a famous Bulgarian journalist, author of many films. She is an author of a documentary about the Chechen conflict.

Ms Ioncheva answered questions of Martina Iovcheva

Q: What do you think of the operation of the Russian forces? Do you approve it? Could there be another outcome from the crisis?

A: In order to answer whether we approve or not, we have to have the entire picture and information. Also, this information doesn't have to be only from Russian sources. It should be as objective as possible. In order to have the entire puzzle, we need to have information of independent sources. As far as I know since the events began in Moscow, anti-terrorism experts from Israel, Great Britain and the United States have arrived there. They were most probably informed about what was going on. If that is so, I would like to hear their point of view.

Q: Do you think the truth will ever be made public?

A: I suppose that certain doubts and questions will always exist. First of all, there should be information from independent sources. I would like to hear also the point of view of as many as possible hostages. Then, I think we could answer more exactly to this question. It is very difficult to say whether this operation was successful or not. Even one innocent death does not justify this operation. Simultaneously, we do not have to forget that there were over seven hundred people in the theater. We also need to have objective information concerning the intentions of the Chechens: Did they began to kill the hostages? Were these Chechens actually suicide bombers?, etc.

Q: What was the motivation of the terrorists in your opinion?

A: On one hand, as far as I know Barayev and his uncle were dealing with ransoms and kidnapping in Chechnya. Barayev led certain organizations that kidnapped foreigners, sometimes they released the foreigners for ransoms, other times they simply killed them. On the other hand, they tabled clear political demands. However, their demands are hard to realize for a short period of time: you cannot ask for withdrawal of the Russian troops from Chechnya for a couple of days since practically this is impossible. A much longer period of time is necessary. That is why I think that the aim of this operation is more or less to attract the attention of the international community to Chechnya. Simultaneously, it aimed to attract the attention of the Russian society, which could exercise pressure over the Russian politicians.

Actually, I think that it wasn't a matter of withdrawing the troops and stopping the war. I think the demands were separatist. I think that those who organized the operation wanted to put it in the Kossovo context. They sought a similar solution. A confirmation of this thought of mine, is an interview with the spokesman of Mashadov on CNN three days ago, during which he made such a connection.

Q: Who do you think stands behind this terror operation?

A: Those who fight for independence. Mashadov denied to have something in common with that operation. However, Barayev gave an interview for Sunday Times, in which he said that his teacher and leader was Mashadov.

Q: Is it possible the Chechen fighters to undertake more desperate actions to make the Russian authorities to withdraw the troops from Chechnya?

A: This operation will make a bad service to all. It will give an opportunity to the more radical among Russian military officials to undertake more decisive actions in Chechnya. On the other hand, the more chauvinistic moods among Russians regarding Chechens rise. I personally do not think that new terror acts will be organized by the Chechens in the near future.

Q: How will life in Chechnya change?

A: I hope the Russian forces will not have a reason to be present there. Chechnya needs to have enough democratic laws. The state system should be such as to allow the normal life of the people there. Anyway, Chechens are not terrorists. Among the gangs in Chechnya, there is a huge competition. They fight among each other and kill each other about territories, influence, etc. It is dangerous to say that all Chechens are such. It is dangerous to say that they are terrorists and they are bad. They could become such because we do not give them another chance.

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