Maskhadov invites Chechens to take part in anti-war rally in late JanuaryRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus – Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov declared January 27 the Day of Honour and invited all Chechens to take part in an anti-war rally on that day. Maskhadov’s presidential powers were to expire on January 27 but he is not going to leave his office until the war in the republic is over.
In his statement for journalists covering the events in Chechnya, Maskhadov said that a special meeting of the State Defense Committee (GKO) took place recently. This authority, founded by Maskhadov, is in line with the Chechen Constitution the highest executive authority in times of war. According to Maskhadov, GKO prolonged his presidential powers to an indefinite period due to the war in the republic.
Maskhadov also claims that the November 2001 meeting of Zakayev and Kazantsev, the representatives of the Chechen and Russian presidents, at the Moscow airport Sheremetyevo-2 was not a spontaneous event but it was being prepared abroad for a year. He says that the Russian-Chechen negotiations will continue with the same goals: the withdrawal of the Russian army, elections, and defining the relations between Russia and Chechnya.
The President calls on Chechen „figures living in Moscow“, e.g. Ruslan Khasbulatov, Aslambek Aslakhanov, Nunuyev, Jabrailov, not to meddle in his attempts to bring independence to Chechnya. He also offered them to come back to Chechnya on January 27 and participate in the anti-war protest. Maskhadov calls on all the nation, be they his supporters or not, to participate in the nation-wide anti-war rally.
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