Polish TV crew in trouble in Russia

Radio Polonia ^ | 02.06.2005

[RussianBoor]

Well, it is really going on for too long already. However, if you insist...

I do not know whether or not the Chechens have right to independence. What I do know though is that even if they have, terrorism is no way of exercising their right. The country where I live, Canada, has a long-standing problem with Quebec. I personally find it very stupid that Quebec wants to separate. However, they do have such right. They exercise this right by voting in a referendum, not by attacking neighboring regions of Ontario. Do you see my point? Many countries have problems with separatist movements, UK and Spain are the most obvious examples. Do Basques and Irish of Ulster have rights to independence? Maybe. Everything depends on terms and means. If somebody's independence can be negotiated in the way that it does not infringe on the rights of other peoples, good and well. If somebody's desire for independence is decided by democratic and open means, e.g., by a referendum, good and well. On the other hand, if a group of people that do not represent the whole population starts to press their agenda and uses terrorism, it is not acceptable.

I do not know and you do not know what is the real situation in Chechnya. The only way to find out is for Chechens to start building their state, at first, inside the Russian Federation, with merciless fight again all extremism and terrorism. Then, a question of independence could be raised, only when all violence will have ceased. That's the only way. Look at developments in Iraq, in Palestine. A strong national government first, independence later.

Next. Nobody really knows if Chechens really want to be independent. You assume this based on your own history and your own mentality. Remember that Chechens were in fact independent for several years. It was the typical case of a failed state which brought trouble to the neighbors and suffering to its own population. I do not know if Chechens would like to repeat this thing again. Also, mind that Chechnya is absolutely nonviable economically without massive Russian help and money sent by Chechens working (including criminals) in Russia. I could say that if Chechnya becomes independent, its citizens will not be welcome in Russia and of course there will be no help either. How they will live? Of course, Poland or other countries like Gulf states may put them on a payroll, solely to make Russia "happy". This is yet another thing to consider. In any case, the only way to really find out if Chechns themselves want independence is to organize a referendum after normalization of the situation there. Russia tried repeatedly to organize elections there to find a real non-extremist Chechen leader. Nobody from the West helped even a little bit.

[K. Smirnov]

"the media should respect the laws and observe the rules of any country in which they are operating"

Yes. In a democratic country respectful of human rights. Russia is no such country.

Quod liced Jovi, non liced Bovi.

[kaiser80]

you meant "quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi"?

[Grzegorz 246]

Exactly.

[BayouCoyote]

Great post. You certainly have my admiration for telling the truth.

[jb6]

Thank you.

[K. Smirnov]

Exactly. All of a sudden you included yourself into "Jovians" and obiously us, Russians - to the "bovians". That is what I wanted to say.