Conceptual considerations for entering the Crises Exit by Andreas Gross (Zurich / St.Ursanne) (Political Scientist, MP, PACE) in the NISC 2006 of the GCSP « The war in Chechnya: Is a Solution possible ? » Geneva 13 June 2006

I. Avoid black & white perceptions/pictures/stereotypes Mutual disrespect for Human Rights and Rule of law Mutual disrespect for Human Rights and Rule of law Mutual responsibilities for war and war crimes Mutual responsibilities for war and war crimes There a self-critical and reform oriented people on both sides There a self-critical and reform oriented people on both sides Mutually bad feelings:Kosachev/Kadyrow- Zakajew/Bassayew Mutually bad feelings:Kosachev/Kadyrow- Zakajew/Bassayew

II. “Crises-exit” is not a moment, but the beginning of a process The momentum for this beginning has to be integrative and respect the essentials of both sides The momentum for this beginning has to be integrative and respect the essentials of both sides The process has to be open-ended The process has to be open-ended The design of this process and its mutual support might be the key of the beginning of the beginning The design of this process and its mutual support might be the key of the beginning of the beginning

III. There are lessons to be learned from successful autonomies as a tool for overcoming crises (Aland/South Tyrol) Integrate unity and variety Integrate unity and variety Unite self-determination and integration Unite self-determination and integration Open ended process in which there is a procedure how disagreements have to be handled Open ended process in which there is a procedure how disagreements have to be handled A third (international) party may help A third (international) party may help

IV. You can’t ignore the heritages of totalitarism, but you have to transform them What is the “political” in a “political solution” What is the “political” in a “political solution” Elections have to be inclusive, not exclusive if you want to integrate a disintegrated society Elections have to be inclusive, not exclusive if you want to integrate a disintegrated society Peace in Chechnya depends on the success of the democracy building process in Russia Peace in Chechnya depends on the success of the democracy building process in Russia

V. You can’t ignore the global context, but you don’t have to sacrify a local community for it “Int. terror” as well as “fundamentalism” are only (smaller) factors of the problem, not the problem as such “Int. terror” as well as “fundamentalism” are only (smaller) factors of the problem, not the problem as such Resources are of local importance but not the real issue for Russia Resources are of local importance but not the real issue for Russia Russia and Chechnyans feel themselves humiliated Russia and Chechnyans feel themselves humiliated

VI. You can’t start a way out against or without Russia – so you have to integrate it’s main interest Integrity of the Russian Federation Integrity of the Russian Federation No violence anymore as political instrument No violence anymore as political instrument Dialog and negotiations as the way to take in order to overcome disagreements Dialog and negotiations as the way to take in order to overcome disagreements

VI. There are more than “two” sides in the conflict Both sides are divided Both sides are divided The hardliners of both sides play mutually in there hands The hardliners of both sides play mutually in there hands

VII. Russia can’t delegate it’s responsibilities Many Chechnyans fear the Kadirowskis today more than anybody else Many Chechnyans fear the Kadirowskis today more than anybody else A delegation of the Russian duties to the Kadirowskis discredits the Russian positions (as well as Bassajew’s acts discredit the Chechnyan cause) A delegation of the Russian duties to the Kadirowskis discredits the Russian positions (as well as Bassajew’s acts discredit the Chechnyan cause) the way has to reflect, where it should lead the way has to reflect, where it should lead

VII. The leaders and people of Europe and the West can’t delegate their responsibilities The disregard of our principles discredit them most The disregard of our principles discredit them most Energy-needs and high of prices do not legitimize the ignorance of Humans Rights Energy-needs and high of prices do not legitimize the ignorance of Humans Rights Human Rights are not sunshine-policies but conditions for peace and real stability Human Rights are not sunshine-policies but conditions for peace and real stability

IX. In the Council of Europe Russia feels itself at home – a weak house, but the only one which sets the priority in values and not power The beginning of the beginning: Bring those who respect the basic values together round a table The beginning of the beginning: Bring those who respect the basic values together round a table Enlarge the representatively of the process Enlarge the representatively of the process Develop it’s legitimacy and substance Develop it’s legitimacy and substance