Chechnya a Challenge for Medvedev
On the eve of the inauguration of Dmitri Medvedev as Russia’s next president, the country is entangled in a slew of entanglements. Whether it be with the West over NATO enlargement or Kosovo, the United States over its proposed European-hosted missile defense systems, or frozen conflict zones in countries like Georgia.
While all of these issues will prove an immediate challenge for Medvedev, he will also face the continuing tensions in the restive Russian province of Chechnya. Recalling President Putin’s own response to unrest in Chechnya, where he moved with brutal force against Chechen militants shortly after taking over the reins of the Kremlin, Medvedev will likely follow a similar path.
Despite progress made in Chechnya and a rebuilding of the capital city, Grozny, and outlaying areas, Chechnya remains a very dangerous place and the fragile piece that currently governs the region is being held in place by an oppressive administrative government in Grozny backed by force from Moscow.
While large-scale military actions have ended, smaller attacks continue in Chechnya
Six policemen were murdered in two separate incidents in Chechnya over the weekend. One involved a metal shrapnel-loaded bomb and the other came after a police patrol came under fire from automatic weapons. Chechen rebels have continued small-scale attacks against pro-Russian security forces and police patrols have become the norm.
From the AP…
A remote-controlled bomb exploded on a roadside in the capital of troubled Chechnya, leaving five police officers dead, while another officer was fatally shot near the city, regional authorities said Monday.
The regional Emergency Situations Ministry said the bomb blast took place late Sunday in the city of Grozny. Two other officers were seriously wounded in the attack, the ministry said.
The police were part of a squad of 10 that was working to tighten security in the city ahead of this week’s inauguration of new Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and the celebration of Victory Day, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany.
Tags: Chechnya, Grozny, Kremlin, Medvedev, North Caucasus, Putin, Russia
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6 May, 2008 at 7:54 am
[...] the West over NATO enlargement or Kosovo, the United States over its proposed European-hosted missihttp://nearabroad.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/chechnya-a-challenge-for-medvedev/Five Russian policemen killed in Chechnya bomb attack People’s DailyFive policemen were killed and [...]