The Hindu : Maskhadov stripped of Chechen presidency

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 14, 2003

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International

Maskhadov stripped of Chechen presidency

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW SEPT. 13. The Chechen separatist leader, Aslan Maskhadov, has been stripped of presidency by his own rebel Parliament in what is seen as a new effort by Moscow to deprive Mr. Maskhadov of legitimacy in the eyes of Western supporters.

Mr. Maskhadov has been impeached by Chechen legislators for violating the Constitution of the breakaway "Chechen Republic of Ichkeria" by introducing Sharia law, the acting Speaker of the former Parliament of Ichkeria, Isa Temitrov, announced at a press conference in Moscow today.

The Parliament of Ichkeria, as Chechnya was called by separatists, ceased to function after Russian forces launched a second military campaign in 1999 to bring Chechnya back to Russia's fold.

However, on September 5, the former Chechen lawmakers met to approve the impeachment resolution.

"Maskhadov's actions have led to the destruction of the republic," Mr. Temirov, acting Speaker of Ichkeria's Parliament, said at a news conference in Moscow.

Even though Mr. Maskhadov's presidential term expired last year, he is still seen in the West as Chechnya's most legitimate leader who should participate in the political settlement in the war-torn region.

However, Moscow has refused to talk to Mr. Maskhadov, accusing him of engaging in terrorist activity.

The impeachment decision "has struck down the last argument from the hands of those who have been trying to seat the Federal Government to a negotiating table with Mr. Maskhadov," said Sergei Yastrzhembsky, the Kremlin's spokesman for Chechnya.

Moscow has declared presidential elections in Chechnya on October 5, which look set to be won by the Kremlin-appointed interim leader, Akhmad Kadyrov.

All other strong challengers have withdrawn from the race reportedly under pressure from the Kremlin.

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