Laurent Vinatier: Kadyrov is the main "weapon" of Russian "Chechenization" strategy

Dr Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher from the Paris Institute of Political Studies, for more than four years specializes in Chechen-Russian relations. Some of his articles are available in the web site www.caucaz.com. Here are some quotes from the interview that Dr Vinatier gave in Moscow to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent:

"...The war is not over. Still, there is no political alternative to the current fight of separatists.

...Ramzan Kadyrov is the main weapon of the Russian "Chechenization" strategy. ...The pro-Russian Chechen leaders were needed to have the separatists' attention concentrated on them and, thus, keep separatists away from Moscow.

...The main Kadyrov's problem is in his complete and direct dependence on President Vladimir Putin.

...Ramzan Kadyrov is unable to establish any long-standing peace in Chechnya. From the Chechen viewpoint, he lacks proper political legitimacy to achieve it. He bears responsibility for multiple crimes against civil rights. He was not elected President according to transparent international standards, and as a governor he had no essential influence on the history, but, at the same time, he is also far from being a traditional power. Moreover, the remaining separatists will never agree to hold a dialogue with him.

...I think that establishment of proper and long-standing peace in Chechnya can become a rather painful process for Russian authorities. It will mean then that the most complicated problems within the Russian Federation have been solved, except one and the main problem: the nationalistic dilemma."