Ok. This is the last reply to this thread.
1)Neither Latvia, nor Lithuania, nor Estonia, nor Ukriane ever (in last forseebly past) lived by robbery and kidnapping. So the historical parallel is completely out of a place.
2) When I say, give Iraq independence right now, I mean pull out all troops, not about elections: do not change the subject. That will not happen either, since as soon as the trops will be pulled out, Iraq will turn into bloodbath. Iraq is not ready for independence.
3) Chechnya (according to Kahasav Yurt treaty, 1996) was given independence, all Russian trops were pulled out. Central government kept paying them pensions, supplying gas and electricity. According to this treaty, Chechnya should have hold a referendum in 2001, whether they wanted to be completely independent from Russia or not. Maskhadov was in charge then. Him being in charge did not prevent 1999 incursion into Dagestan, which prooved Chechens being irresponsible under his leadesrhip and/or Maskhadov being unable to control them. Chechnya in its present state is not ready for independence too, unless there is the firm guarantee that it will not turn into the bandits haven. No one can guarantee it righ now.
4) In your historical overview, I still see no connection between Kazan and Northern Caucasses. Since Astrakhan geographically is NOT a part of it. By conquering Astrakhan Ivan the Terrible did NOT conquer Northern Caucasses.
5) I appreciate your acknowlegement that Russia not always acted on irrational aggresive instincts, but sometimes due to the vital questions of her survival.
And I appreciate your acceptance for the idea that Chechnya will be ready for independence one day. Although your present leader isn't much helpful on this issue, putting it mildly. I think you would agree that killing their democratically elected president will now weaken their fierce resistance and convince them that you want only peace and stability for them. Good job!