Mikhail Gorbachev about Chechnya

Former President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev talks about the situation in the Chechen Republic:

Mikhail Gorbachev:

I think this is the result of the policy that has been pursued over the past ten years by the Russian leadership. In general, they laid out this republics, this part of the Russian Federation. Then, when they decided to restore order, they did not come up with anything other than to go there with the troops, presented a 48-hour ultimatum. The war was finished, due to the fact that the elections on the nose, went to the Khasawyurt agreement, and then, what policy was pursued, they again forgot about Chechnya. Nothing was done. This is the ruined republic. No jobs, nothing. How to live the people?! This situation begins to act again, people begin to get a bandit way for themselves, instead of solving politically. I must say that Maskhadov did not show himself as the president, and Russia did nothing in order to reach the political solution of Chechnya's problems. As a result, we received the situation with Dagestan and so on. This situation broke through, and she had to break through. Now, undoubtedly, it is necessary to put an end to banditry and terrorism. I think there is not a single person who is against this, even in Chechnya, the vast majority of people for this. But this problem must be solved so that this does not result in the war against the people, against Chechnya. We should only talk about striking on terrorism and gangs. The government declares the same position. Did it withstand her? I think that now we can say no. See: 200 thousand refugees, there is destruction. Therefore, today we need to harshly raise the question: either you stop and think how to continue, or, I think that we have already approached the situation when negotiations are needed. I think they do the right thing that, on the left side of the Terek, under the control of military commandant’s office, they organize temporary power with the local population and establish life. After all, there are no pensions, no fuel, no electricity, no studies for children! There is no elementary life. It's hard to do it? Yes, it is difficult, but I do not see another way out.