Approved as presidential candidate, Grigory
Yavlinsky, a veteran of election campaigns, rushed to
explain the specifics governing the present elections:
“Today we have a choice between three ways: the first
is incomprehensible to everybody, the second is definitely
worse and the third is definitely better. Let our citizens
choose how they want to live”. Registered as a presidential
candidate today, the leader of the Yabloko movement Grigory
Yavlinsky is appearing live on our programme.
Good evening, Grigory Alexeevich.
Yavlinsky: Good evening.
Q: To stick to the topic, how do you
view the proposal from the union of right-wing forces
for a referendum?
Yavlinsky: This proposal is definitely
correct. However, I am not sure that this should be carried
out through a referendum. Everything is stipulated by
the Constitution. The executive authorities must assume
responsibility for the implementation of all these steps.
And this could have been done long ago.
Q: Grigory Alexeevich, another question
on another topic. About Chechnya: you have said several
times that it is simply impossible to maintain peace in
this republic by military means only. The question concerns
the leader that the federal authorities could back. Several
names have suddenly appeared: Gantemirov, Saidullayev,
Kadyrov. Who, in your opinion, would be the best figure?
Yavlinsky: Today the situation in Chechnya
is developing in such a way that we must negotiate with
anyone who recognises the integrity of Russia and recognises
Chechnya as a part of Russia.
Q: Excuse me…
Yavlinsky: And the broader that this group
of people is at the beginning of negotiations, the more
successful the decisions will be.
Q: Grigory Alexeevich, could you explain
this in more detail? Whom are you talking about, when
you say “anyone who recognises the integrity of Russia”?
Is Aslan Maskhadov included in this list?
Yavlinsky: Let me explain this now. All
the people you have just mentioned, if they are ready
to recognise Chechnya as an integral part of the Russian
Federation and recognise Russia’s Constitution, can be
our partners at negotiations.
Q: Ok, Gantemirov, Kadyrov and Saidullayev
have never refuted this fact. But there are people who
are referred to as individuals on the other side of the
fence – Maskhadov and the field commanders, whom you have
never mentioned. You spoke about Maskhadov as a possible
potential partner at negotiations.
Yavlinsky: Yes, I am ready to repeat
this statement.
Q: Do you continue to consider him
such a person today?
Yavlinsky: Yes, I am ready to reiterate
once again: if Maskhadov is ready to recognise Russia’s
Constitution and the integrity of Russia and Chechnya
as an integral part of Russia, then we can conduct negotiations
with him.
