Rossiyskaya Gazeta 12 November 2002 [translation for personal use only] Interview with Malik Saydullayev, 'representative of Moscow Chechens and well-known politician and businessman,' and Lema Kasayev, president of the Groznyy Restoration Assistance Foundation, by Timofey Borisov; place and date not given: "President Took Notes of Everything We Said" -- first paragraph is Rossiyskaya Gazeta introduction
An extremely important event has taken place in Moscow. Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with the most outstanding representatives of the Chechen people, the intellectual elite of that nation.
Yesterday [11 November], our special correspondent spoke with two participants in the meeting.
Malik Saydullayev, Representative of Moscow Chechens, Well-Known Politician and Entrepreneur
[Borisov] Chechens' meeting with Vladimir Putin: Had it been prepared for a long time or was it an impromptu event?
[Saydullayev] Frankly speaking, when we approached the president after the hostage crisis I, for one, had little hope that he would want to listen to us. We composed our appeal a week ago and were greatly surprised that we were invited, that the president shared his opinions with us, and listened to us. We appointed Abdul-Khakim Sultygov, presidential representative for human rights in Chechnya, to "lobby" for the meeting and met with full understanding on the part of the Presidential Staff.
The meeting was very constructive, and we had very positive impressions after it.
[Borisov] What did you discuss?
[Saydullayev] We saw a president who really wants with all his heart to solve this problem and therefore, is not indifferent to our opinions.
We discussed the need to hold a referendum on the Chechen Republic's Constitution and the subsequent election of the republic's executive organs, and the president fully agreed with our opinions.
[Borisov] Did you discuss any specific deadlines?
[Saydullayev] The referendum is tentatively scheduled for early spring next year. The Russian Federation Constitution will serve as the basis for Chechnya's Constitution.
[Borisov] Did you speak about the presidential election in Chechnya?
[Saydullayev] Yes. The presidential election is also scheduled for next year, no earlier that 100 days after the referendum.
[Borisov] I know that there is certain discord between Chechens living in Chechnya and the Chechen diaspora in Moscow. Was it noticeable at the meeting?
[Saydullayev] No. We all realize the importance of the problem. People living in Chechnya can see that many Moscow Chechens are helping to restore the republic.
[Borisov] What were your personal impressions from the president's behavior and his conversation with you?
[Saydullayev] You know, he listened to all of us and did not interrupt and therefore, each of us could speak as long as he wanted. I liked his resoluteness and his intention to ensure that Russian laws function in Chechnya.
[Borisov] Did anybody mention negotiations with Maskhadov?
[Saydullayev] Everybody is aware of the fact that Maskhadov personally does not decide anything in Chechnya and negations with him, so to speak, would not solve any problems even if they were held. However, Maskhadov, basically, does not control armed formations. In this case both the president and we all realize that in the first place it is necessary at this point to hold a referendum and elect the republic's president for the Chechen people to be able to define their position and for the Russian president to know with whom he should speak and who represents the Chechen people.
[Borisov] Who, in your opinion, is this person?
[Saydullayev] The problem boils down to the fact that there is no person in Chechnya at this point on whom people could pin their hopes and whom they could fully trust.
[Borisov] Did the president say anything or did he only listen?
[Borisov] The president not only listened but also debated with us occasionally. He voiced his remarks after each speech. The person that we saw was not a functionary standing above us, but somebody who spoke with us as an equal, using simple human language.
[Borisov] What did you personally say at the meeting?
[Saydullayev] I spoke for some 15-20 minutes. I said that I disagree with the criticism of some departments operating in the republic. For instance, the Chechen police have proved that they can operate effectively. It is the police that are taking most casualties and are at the forefront of the struggle for normalization of the situation in Chechnya.
Lema Kasayev, President of the Groznyy Restoration Assistance Foundation.
[Borisov] Lema Alaudinovich, how, in your opinion, did the meeting go?
[Kasayev] It was very constructive.
[Borisov] What did you say there?
[Kasayev] I said that we should not waste time discussing unnecessary initiatives similar to Boris Nemtsov's proposal. All proposals regarding Chechnya have long been known: The holding of a referendum and elections of administrative organs and the republic's president. We simply have to step up efforts to achieve these goals.
Referendums have never been held on Chechnya's territory and it is important to ensure that all sections of the population take part in it.
[Borisov] Did you touch upon the military component of the situation in Chechnya?
[Kasayev] Yes. I cited Abdurakhman Avturkhanov who had said that it lies in the nature of Russians to make everybody else happy, although they are not happy themselves. I said so in reference to the fact that most military personnel and policemen coming to Chechnya are poorly prepared for their mission. When they come to the republic they, as a rule, do not know the habits or the culture of the people. They should be told that they come to Chechnya primarily to restore constitutional order there, and not to fight. Ideological education should be spread among the troops.
[Borisov] What else was important to you?
[Kasayev] It is very important now to continue the work launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Imagine centers for support of Bin Ladin functioning outside U.S. borders; do you think the United States would tolerate this practice long? We should act the same way. It is necessary to file protests in every country where the Wahhabite who once fought in Chechnya have settled. Meanwhile, some kinds of "Ichkeria's envoys" appear, for instance, in Turkey or Europe and are received virtually at the top level.
[Borisov] Do you think the president understood you or did he disagree with some points?
[Kasayev] Not only did the president listen attentively; he also kept taking notes of what we were saying.