YesThe Russo-Chechen conflict, arguably the bloodiest confrontation
in Europe since World War II, only attracts the attention of the Western media
when the Chechens stage terrorist `spectaculars¿ such as the `Nord-Ost¿ or
Beslan school sieges. Putin¿s uncompromisingly tough line against the Chechens
is popular among an ethnic Russian electorate traumatised since its own `Black
September¿ in 1999. Since 9/11 this conflict has been presented almost
exclusively as Russia¿s frontline in the international `war on terrorism¿. All
Chechens who oppose Putin¿s policies in Chechnya are dismissed as `terrorists¿
and `bandits¿. Yet a satisfactory political resolution of the conflict seems far off;
thousands of Chechen civilians continue to suffer and die. Russia¿s attempt at
`Chechenisation¿ of the conflict appears to have achieved its `Palestinisation¿.
How far has the policy of demonising the Chechens, which helped Yeltsin and
Putin to launch their respective wars, become a major obstacle to peace in
Chechnya
