Russia's suspicions of Islamic rebels cause bombing
MARIBEL MOREY
News Writer
Russia's battered political structure faces yet another challenge in the current violence resulting from the break-away republic of Chechnya.
"The bombings in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia have further destabilized an already fragile political system," said Martha Merritt, assistant government professor. "With elections pending for the parliament and the president, there is great concern over whether this terrorism will interfere with democratic processes."
Moscow continues bombing Chechnya, a republic of Russia that sought independence five years ago. For the past six days, Russian airplanes have continued targeting the Chechen capital Grozny in retaliation for recent terrorist bombings in Moscow. Chechen-backed rebels are blamed by Russian leaders for bombings that killed nearly 300 people in Russia in the past month.
"We do not know who is behind the bombs," Merritt said. "The mayor of Moscow and other politicians have been quick to say that it is Chechen terrorists, and Russia has found it politically convenient to use this outpouring of anger against the Chechens to launch another wave of bombings in that break-away region."
Analysts also speculated that the bombings could have been orchestrated by terrrorists from Dagestan, a neighboring region of Chechnya, where Russia is currently fighting rebels.
There are other possible motivations for the bombings.
"Some political observers even think that it is fomented by supporters of President [Boris] Yeltsin, whose political fortunes were declining rapidly as elections approach — he is ineligible for another term — and charges of corruption swirl around his administration," Merritt said.
From 1994 to 1996, Chechnya sought independence from Russia. Moscow unsuccessfully invaded, resulting in the peace treaty which granted Chechnya a referendum for 2002.
With this loss, "Russia fears that separatism fueled by militant Islamic fundamentalism will spread," Merritt said.
The treaty is also viewed as Russia's way to buy more time; Russia still has not acknowledged this region's independence.
Chechnya's advantage in this conflict is the guerrilla nature of Chechen warfare and the soldiers who want and need to fight, according to Merritt.
"Russia is absolutely not ready for any big military actions in Chechnya," said Pavel Felgenhauer, a military expert with the Segodnya newspaper. "The present campaign is all bluff."
All News Stories for Thursday, September 30, 1999
