RIYADH, 10 May 2004 — Russian Ambassador Andrei Baklanov has denounced the killing of Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov and some 30 others while reaffirming Russia’s resolve to combat terrorism.
The assassination of President Kadyrov in an explosion in the Chechen capital Gronzy yesterday was “the cowardly act of some vicious elements who want to usurp power and destabilize the region,” he said. “I had the opportunity to meet the late president in Moscow and also during his visit to the Kingdom in January this year,” the ambassador said.
Kadyrov’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Libya and his excellent working relationship with Moscow showed there was international recognition and respect for him, Baklanov said.
“The late president sought to restore peace and normality in Chechnya with a commitment to ensure that Chechens living in self-exile must return,” he said.
Baklanov also announced the Kingdom and Russia were setting up a joint commission to fight terrorism based on a decision taken during last year’s Russia visit by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard. Russia sought “all support to solve political and socio-economic problems” in Chechnya, he added.
