Aslan Maskhadov Quotations

Independence is not a whim or an ambition. It is the necessary condition of our survival as an ethnic group.

A foreign ideology cannot be introduced into Chechnya - were it through an Arab or al-Qaeda. Our experience is rich and long enough for us to be Muslims and know what jihad is.

I assure you, it would be much more pleasant for me to be an ordinary voter in peaceful Chechnya than the president of a republic at war.

It is not advantageous for Russia in its present state to fight against Chechnya. The army is a mess. It must be made combat ready. That will take time. Russia has a lot of economic, social and political problems much more important than Chechnya.

We deny and have always denied having the slightest link with al-Qaeda.

Until fighting ends and there are conditions, which allow the free expression of will by the people, there can be no elections and elections are not held in these circumstances anywhere in the world.

Western States keep playing with, and around, Russia.

We will liberate our country from the occupying forces and put an end to relations between Russia and the Chechen State, no matter how difficult the task may be.

It would be easier to fight the Russian army, and it would give me great satisfaction, but I have a responsibility to my people

The war is ending, for the first time in the history of relations between Moscow and Grozny, and the era of peace is starting.

to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I appeal to those who, under force of the most difficult sufferings and losses, have decided to go down the path of martyrdom,

I appeal to those who... have decided to go down the path of martyrdom, ... I understand you, but I cannot support you.

I announce that the leadership of the Chechen Republic and the armed forces under my control ... had nothing to do with this terrorist act.

Kamikazes must also be subordinated to a State discipline.

We need to develop normal ties so that we won't have to wage war anymore,

We will take all necessary steps to solve this horrible crime,

I understand you, but I cannot support you.

A concrete criminal group was identified, an organizer of the abductions was arrested and an approximate location of the hostages was determined,