Death of a Terrorist (Another View on Maskhadov)

The Moscow Times ^ | March 15, 2005 | Robert Bruce Ware

[sergey1973]

Whatever Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov may have been in 1995 or 1997, he was a terrorist on the day he died. As compared to a monster like Chechen commander Shamil Basayev, Maskhadov might have been described as a "moderate" up to 1998. In January 1997, he became the first and last legitimately elected president of Chechnya. However, his incapacity to cope with pressures endemic to Chechen society led to his drift toward radicalism beginning in the latter part of that year.

[sergey1973]

Here is another commentary on Maskhadov death from the Moscow Times.

I have somewhat different opinion that Robert Ware and I posted it on http://www.sergeywatch.blogspot.com. My commentary sometimes is very heated because I have intense disgust at Putin Regime tactics in Chechnya. "The Moscow Times" also had an article last week by Yulia Latynina that said "With Maskhadov Hope Dies" which is much more pessimistic. I posted it on previous forum and I am glad that the range of thoughtful opinions is represented. I have a lot to learn from professional analysts how to calmly assess the situation and give good recommendations but I am growing.