Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-05-25-Speech-3-085"
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"en.20050525.13.3-085"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the way in which the European Union has dealt with Russia does not inspire me with very much confidence, certainly not when one considers the terrible war in Chechnya. Indeed, in their talks with Putin, most Heads of Government avoid sensitive issues such as the war in Chechnya and observance of human rights. If they do say anything at all, their views sometimes conflict.
In the European journalist Ben van der Velden’s book. ‘European powerlessness’, I read a transcript of an interview between the author and Commissioner Patten. On 27 October 2003, Commissioner Patten had the following to say about his contacts with the Russian Government, and I quote: ‘My unusual opinion is that you do not achieve anything with friendly meetings. You have to look at what you get from the other party. At summits, you must also be prepared to make a nuisance of yourself about an issue such as Chechnya.’
This House has always stood for an inclusive peace process, in other words a process that encompasses all layers of Chechen society, inside of Chechnya but also the rebels who renounce terrorism. It is true that at summits, the non
observance of human rights and the fight against international terrorism should be on the agenda, but so should a political solution, which we should try to enforce.
With all due respect, Commissioner, it is a bad thing to talk about support for socio
economic recovery on top of the desperately needed humanitarian aid, without there being a serious solution to the conflict. I have visited Chechnya and Grozny, and I saw what happened with the funds. Either they are used to erect government buildings or they will soon end up in the hands and pockets of criminals such as Ramzan Kadurov.
That is a reality, and perhaps we should acknowledge that a flexible approach does not work in Russia. Maybe we should acknowledge and do what Khrushchev did at one time in a meeting for the United Nations: he took off his shoe, pounded the table and said ‘This is my will’. Why does Europe not do this in relation to the war in Chechnya?"@en1
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