Statement of President's Representative of self-proclaimed Republic of Ichkeria in Russia Salambek Maigov on his resignation

The resignation of President's Representative of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (CRI) in Russia Salambek Maigov caused a lot of various rumors and comments. On August 14 Salambek Maigov made a statement in which he set forth the reasons of his decision.

Here are some extracts from his statement:

"I think it is impossible and inexpedient for me to hold the position of President Maskhadov's Representative in the situation when the Kremlin has no aspiration for the real political process, only the attempts to substitute "political adjustment" simulation for the negotiation process, excluding an opposing belligerent, and when, on the other hand, my activity is subjected to harsh criticism by the CRI President.

At the same time I declare my political position of adherence to peace and political adjustment remains unalterable. I believe that sooner or later plenipotentiaries of Chechnya and Russia will sit down at the bargaining table so as to put an end to the centuries-old confrontation between our nations. I am sure that the Chechen people will never submit to the role of an abased and insulted nation which reactionary circles of the Russian military and political leadership are trying to doom us to.

A new generation of Chechen patriots capable of uniting the Chechen people for the sake of peace and prosperity will come to take the place of today's Chechen leaders who are in many respects a reason of our adversity and suffering."