20 September 2003, 11:49
In his exclusive interview to Deutsche Welle Akhmed Zakayev informed of conflict escalation laid down
The so called State Defense Committee of Ichkeria, which is immediately under Aslan Maskhadov, decided during its last session not to limit operations to the territory of the Chechen Republic, but extend them to the whole territory of the Russian Federation. Maskhadov's official representative Akhmed Zakayev announced it in his exclusive interview to the Deutsche Welle Radio on Tuesday. Heretofore only Shamil Basayev has ventured to accept responsibility for terrorist acts in Russian towns.
While answering the question of the Deutsche Welle Radio correspondent on the reasons of such a decision, Akhmed Zakayev said: "It is finally clear today there will be no political adjustment of this conflict under today's regime. I am sure that the Russian leadership made just another mistake having launched this farce - the so called elections, having substituted a political farce for a political process. No one takes seriously this performance made by the Kremlin. And there is no way for it to positively affect a situation in the republic."
At the end of the interview Akhmed Zakayev promised he is ready to inform the Deutsche Welle audience about the new war tactics of Aslan Maskhadov and his confidants as soon as he receives the details.
Author: Anatoly Dotsenko Source: Deutsche Welle Radio