Sir, - Over the last few days I have read in your newspaper a number of commentaries with an assessment of events related to the seizure of hostages by Chechen rebels.
Frankly speaking, I was surprised to see that instead of a condemnation of such terrorist actions, as one could have expected proceeding from the principles of law and practice of the world community, the whole blame in the publications for what had happened, as well as sacrifices caused by it, was laid on the Russian side.
Without going into polemics on this question, because the scope for my letter does not allow it, I should like to confine myself to just several observations.
It is quite obvious that terrorist acts which entail the seizure of hostages, no matter under what pretences or political motives they were committed, should be punishable, including by the use of force, when peaceful means have been exhausted. That is precisely what happened in Pervomaiskoye. And if the opera- lion lasted for so long, the only reason for that was that everything had been done to reduce to a minimum the number of victims among the hostages, civilian population and Russian soldiers. History knows enough examples of the solution of a hostage problem by force, and nowhere were they reproached. Any kind of terrorism, even more so if it threatens to assume an international scale, should be stopped immediately.
The people of Russia do not accept terrorism and violence and that is why the majority of the Russians supported the resolute line of the President. It does not mean that Russia intends to keep Chechnya forcibly as part of the Federation. However, it is not Dudaev and his adherents who should decide the question about Chechnya's internal system, hut the whole Chechen people, including the new leadership of the Republic, elected on December 17th last. Peaceful conditions are essential for this, and that, is what the Russian government is striving for.
I also feel that it would be wrong to conclude that forcible methods in the case with the hostages and the latest changes in the Russian government are evidence of the departure from the policy of democratic reforms and Russia's "rolling to the right". Reshuffles in the composition of political forces have occurred and occur constantly in many democratic countries, including European - for example: in Italy, France, Poland, Hugary, etc. But the essence of their democracy has not changed because of that.
Russia has firmly entered the path of democratic reforms and there is no reverse from that. As to Russia's foreign policy, the President and the new foreign minister have declared that it remains invariable and is directed at partnership and co operation with other countries with mutual account of and respect for, each other's national interests.
Russia is genuinely interested in the development of comprehensive lies and co operation with the EU and Ireland as an active member of the European Union. Our relations are based on friendly foundations and are on the ascent. I personally look at this process with optimism. - Yours, etc.,
Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Ireland,
Orwell Road,
Rathgar,
Dublin 14.