Eurocommissaris Patten roept op tot Russische dialoog met Tsjetsjenië (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten has warned that Russia risks lengthening the crisis in Chechnya through corruption, electoral manipulation and absence of dialogue.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday (15 September), Mr Patten said that efforts to rebuild the region are only the start.

"This is the start of a very long journey, which will only be lengthened by the siphoning off of reconstruction funds by corrupt officials, the apparent manipulation of elections, a failure to protect human rights and the absence of dialogue".

Mr Patten also called on the Russian government to "put in place a leadership in Chechnya in which the population of Chechnya has confidence".

Moscow has refused to openly negotiate with Chechen leaders, instead talking to General Alu Alkhanov, the Moscow backed candidate who won what many consider to be rigged elections last Month.

The Commissioner's comments are his most critical to date and will no doubt receive a cool response in the Kremlin.

Power grab

Mr Patten also echoed the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, in calling for Moscow's response to the Beslan siege to not impinge on human rights.

In the wake of the Beslan siege President Putin has proposed a wave of measures, which include ending the direct election of Russia's regional governors.

"Human rights are paramount and must be respected - the fight against terrorism does not justify or excuse the violation of human rights".

"[I hope] that the government of the Russian Federation will not conclude that the only answer to terrorism is to increase the power of the Kremlin. Frankly, there is not much good history on the side of that proposition".

He also reiterated the EU's questions about Beslan, questions that in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy drew strong criticism from Moscow.

"What happened in Beslan is still not fully clear, at least to the outside observer. Who were those involved? How did the hostage-takers plan and execute this horrific act? What provoked the storming of the school? Why was the number of casualties so high?" he said.

"We have had, and will continue to have, our differences with Russia over Chechnya. We have made, and will continue to make, those differences clear in our meetings with the Russians, and to discuss them".

"That is what partners do", he concluded.