Interview with Gersolt Elmurzayev, candidate for the State Duma from Chechnya

Gersolt Elmurzayev, a candidate for the State Duma from Chechnya, gave an interview to our own correspondent.

- How do you estimate your odds for success?

- They are rather high. I have shared the destiny of my people during the years of war in Chechnya, I have not forsaken them. I have wide experience of public and economic work, I know the republic thoroughly. I have experience of social and political work. I believe my fellow countrymen will appreciate it.

- Who do you consider to be your principal rival?

- Alaudi Musayev, I think.

- Why did you decide to run for the elections?

- The perception of the experience gained spurred me on to place it at the service of people in the republic.

- Will the elections be fair? How do you think?

- I hope they will be both fair and democratic. I am an optimist, rather than a pessimist.

- Is the administrative resource used by authorities in Chechnya in favor of any candidate?

- I think this is the case sometimes. Candidates who hold either one or another important position in the republic or outside it use their resources in the election campaign.

- Do you give confidence to the Chechen Election Commission?

- I have no grounds not to do give confidence to it.

- How much fair and democratic was the presidential election held in Chechnya?

- On the whole, it was quite democratic.

- How do you estimate the referendum conducted in Chechnya?

- I consider it to be a very important step in the process of peacemaking in Chechnya.

- What status should Chechnya have?

- Taking into account the developments in Chechnya, it should have a special status in the economic sphere and it should be stipulated by the Agreement for Differentiation of Power Between the Chechen Republic and the Russian Federation.

- What is your attitude to the privatization in Chechnya?

- On the whole, I take the process of privatization positively. But the way it is being brought about can suit only a few people. The lawfulness of many privatizations deals should be checked. Besides, taking into consideration a number of national features, I object to the privatization of lands, though the law on the land circulation has been passed.

- Who should take charge of the republican natural resources?

- The people do own and manage natural resources by means of public authorities, in accordance with the Chechen constitution.

- The adoption of what law are you going to press on first of all?

- It will be well to press on the law on the economic development of the republic.

- The opinion exists that an international tribunal on Chechnya will sit sooner of later. To what extent is Russia's political leadership responsible for the Chechen tragedy, in you view?

- After all, somebody must account for the mass death of innocent people, for the destructions and so on. I think it is for the court to decide who exactly is responsible for it.

- Is there still a need for political negotiations with Aslan Maskhadov?

- My opinion is that there must be no limitations in the cause of final settlement of the Chechen conflict.