Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Strongman takes over Chechnya leadership

The ex-security chief, who is linked to rights abuses, is supported by the Kremlin.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 6, 2007

GUDERMES, Russia - A widely feared former security chief who has been linked to human rights abuses was sworn in as Chechnya's new president Thursday, vowing to bring prosperity to the region wracked by two wars, growing Islamic extremism and grinding poverty since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Kremlin is pinning its hopes for a lasting peace in the North Caucasus region on the gruff-talking, rough-mannered Ramzan Kadyrov. His father, Akhmad, also held Moscow's backing until he was assassinated in a bombing in May 2004.

The 30-year-old Kadyrov, whose predecessor warned of a growing personality cult after being forced out in February, is credited with a reconstruction boom during his term as prime minister. Once a moonscape of rubble and shattered buildings, much of the capital of Grozny now has newly painted buildings, street lanterns, paved roads and parks.

"My main goal is to make Chechnya prosperous and peaceful," Kadyrov told 2,000 guests and journalists at the inauguration that took place under high security in Gudermes, 19 miles east of Grozny. "Law and human freedoms will become the most important task, whose fulfillment I am intent to be concerned with on a daily basis."

Kadyrov also repeated his opposition to a long-discussed separation of authority treaty with Moscow, which called for broad economic autonomy, including allowing Chechnya to keep substantial oil revenues.

Analysts say Russian President Vladmir Putin has entrusted Kadyrov with power in part because he is seen as the only person who can keep large numbers of former rebels under control. Many former rebels now serve in the police and security forces.

In his speech, Kadyrov pledged that Chechnya would always remain part of Russia. "We fully realize that our well-being is impossible without a strong and stable Russia," he said.

[Last modified April 6, 2007, 01:16:29]