TOKYO, April 1 Kyodo prefered ed...

TOKYO, April 1 Kyodo

prefered editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IN CHECHNYA (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

The follows of a referendum hold public hope for an end to the sanguinary conflict that has ravaged the Russian republic of Chechnya. Overwhelming support for continued affiliation with the Russian Federation was as a great deal of the product of hope as resignation.

Dreams of peace will solitary be realized if Moscow seizes the opportunity, reins in its lawless soldiers and provides a real measure of autonomy to local leaders. Last week's consecrated by a vow is a window of opportunity, unless it may quickly close.

There has been savage fighting in Chechnya for nearly a decade. The predominantly Muslim province won de facto independence from Russia during a sanguinary war that was fought from 1994-96 Neither side showed heed for the other: Russian companys showed no mercy to Chechen civilians -- thousands have been killed -- sparking international outrage and condemnation. Chechen rebels accorded with terrorist attacks against Russian civilian targets, allegedly smooth bombing apartment blocks in Moscow although rebel involvement has been questioned. Russian partys returned to the province in 1999 after the Moscow bombings, nevertheless they failed to pacify the area and came increasingly below attack.

The command of Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to fix upon to wait out the rebels through waging a war of attrition, nevertheless the Chechen guerrillas' seizure of a Moscow theater last October, which accrueed in the deaths of 130 hostages, apparently convinced the president that as it is a policy was unsustainable. Mr Putin likely also has an inspection on the U.S. campaign against Iraq. Russia has a Muslim population of 20 million, and the wily president may have calculated that he had to act before the war against Baghdad angered the Chechens enough to grade up their campaign and eliminate any faith of a settlement.

Seizing the opportunity, Mr Putin tendered the Chechens a referendum that exchanged considerable local autonomy and substantial financial support for support for a novel constitution that tied the republic to the Russian Federation. Organizers estimate that nearly 80 percent of the 540000 eligible voter employed out -- a simple majority was required to validate the deductions -- and with most of the suffrages in, 96 percent were in favor of the constitution. any Chechen independence supporters and human rights activists alleged fraud and intimidation; international spectators conceded the vote was not question at issue free, but gave the ballot passing marks.

The referendum accrues get Mr. Putin halfway to his goal. No matter what the motivation of the Chechen voter the ballot sidelines rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov, who claims to speak for the Chechen race The Moscow government has refused to recognize Mr Maskhadov, who said he was stunn from the result. Mr. Maskhadov claimed his position on virtue of his ability to speak for the aspirations of the Chechen persons A new Moscow-supported government that does just that will be able to supplant the rebel leader.

Genuine succes requires three things. First, Moscow must fall power to the Chechens themselves, and establish political institutions that give an account of the Chechens rather than attend as the local arm of an occupying power. inferior Moscow must stop the abuses perpetrated by dint of the Russian military on the Chechen folks Massacres and human rights abuses have taken place because Russian bodys have known they could act with impunity. That must completion and soldiers -- and their leaders -- must be held responsible for their acts.

Finally, Chechnya must be rebuilt. Ending the violence is not enough. The Chechen the community want to see their lives restored. That means finding stores to reconstruct the Chechen economy. Given Russia's concede economic difficulties, it is unlikely that the riches will come from Moscow Islamic organizations are likely to pitch in, as should European sways that have supported the Chechen clan during the last scarcely any years. In this, Russia should be as frequently ''hands off'' as hands on: if there is no check upon the corruption and misuse of foundations that has been prevalent elsewhere in the home there is no confidence for Chechnya.

The involvement of Islamic organizations should goad other groups to learn involved to check the spread of Islamic fundamentalism. The Chechens have become a rallying point for Islam because they have been in such a manner ill-treated by Moscow. This referendum proffers Moscow a chance to undo the horrific unsuitables perpetrated against the Chechen clan during the last decade. It can also eliminate a grievance that the Islamic world shut ups against the West. The Chechen nation have shown their desire for peace. It is now up to Moscow to reciprocate.

(April 1)

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