March 17, 2003, 10:22 Politics

The President invited Chechens to the ballot boxes

Elena Shishkunova Vladimir Putin spoke on Chechen television. In his speech, he called on the residents of Chechnya to “take part in the referendum and make the right choice.”

On Sunday evening, Vladimir Putin made a televised address to the residents of Chechnya. “Today I am addressing those who live in Chechnya and who care about the fate of the Chechen Republic.

As the Associated Press reported , citing an unnamed source in the Chechen administration, three servicemen were killed and ten were wounded as a result of a militant attack on the positions of federal troops. Three other soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a mine.

In addition, the source reported an attack on two polling stations in the Shali region of the republic. As a result of the attack, both sites were destroyed. After the incident, all areas were placed under 24-hour security.

This is due to an event that will take place in a few days. The republic will hold a referendum on the draft constitution, as well as the laws on presidential and parliamentary elections,” he began. On March 23, he said, a historical event will take place - “the constitution prepared by the Chechens themselves is for the first time put up for discussion and popular vote.”

The adoption of a constitution and elections of government bodies in Chechnya, the president said, is “the most important step in the fight against devastation.” And despite the fact that the restoration of Chechnya is already underway, this process cannot be completed without the formation of power structures. “I understand that it is very difficult for people in Chechnya now. It is difficult to cope with the consequences of a tragedy that has not spared a single family. And together we will have to work a lot until these consequences are finally overcome,” Putin emphasized.

“The Constitution will give the people of Chechnya the opportunity to independently improve their lives. And to realize that very broad autonomy within Russia, which is now being talked about so much. For the same purpose, a special agreement will be jointly prepared and concluded between the Federation and the Republic,” the president announced. The adoption of a constitution and elections of government bodies will serve as final evidence of Chechnya's transition to a peaceful path. Already now, according to Putin, there is a reduction in checkpoints and the withdrawal of “an excess of the units of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs .”

He also did not ignore the sensitive issue of paying compensation to those who lost their homes. In meetings with officials, Putin has repeatedly emphasized the need to give refugees an incentive to return to Chechnya. Arguing in support of the referendum, Putin constantly emphasized that only the Chechens themselves must make a choice and help the federal government restore the republic.

“Without the active participation of the Chechens themselves in the restoration, without their determination to do real work, there will be no tangible results,” the president insisted.

It cannot be said that Putin’s personal appeal to the Chechens came as a big surprise. After almost all high-ranking federal officials visited Chechnya at short intervals, and last week the head of the presidential administration, Alexander Voloshin , flew to Grozny , Putin’s final words were predictable. The success of the first national referendum in Chechnya is of enormous importance for the Kremlin. Several years of effort and the prospects for the upcoming presidential elections are at stake.

In general, no one would be surprised if Putin personally flew to Chechnya.

However, the speech on Chechen television most likely means that the Kremlin decided not to risk it and limit itself to distant propaganda. According to Gazeta.Ru's Kremlin sources, the fact that the president addressed the Chechens has nothing to do with the schedule of his upcoming trips.