HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the recent Chechen terrorist attack in Moscow and its effects on Turkish-Russian relations. A summary of her column is as follows:
The recent terrorist attack in Moscow has once again demonstrated that violence cannot be a solution to political problems. Neither states nor political movements can find solutions to their problems via advocating violence. In fact, violence always begets more violence and drags people into dead ends.
In the wake of last year’s Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US, the fight against international terrorism became one of the top issues on the international agenda. However, in my opinion, this concept has the effect of not only covering up a number of underlying problems but also of legitimizing countries’ insensitivity and indifference to them. That’s why I find recent discussions on the Russian government’s operation against Chechen terrorists both distracting and beside the point. Who’s guilty? Yet why don’t we just ask another question before trying to answer to this one, namely: Aren’t both sides already at fault for failing to find a peaceful solution to the years-long Chechen problem?
Politics is the art of finding ways to compromise between differing or even contradictory interests. However, oppression always engenders violence and an escalation of problems. In the wake of the dissolution of the USSR, the Chechen problem grew gradually worse since the Russian government insistently clamped down on the Chechen nation’s desire to become an independent state. This oppressive policy triggered a cycle of ever-increasing violence. Although sociologist Max Weber remarked that the roots of the state could be found in its monopolization of violence, the roots of the ‘modern state’ can be found in compromise rather then struggle. Which is why obstinacy cannot be a solution in the modern political arena.
Turkish-Russian relations have improved significantly in recent years. I believe that both countries should strive harder to better their bilateral relations. However, the Russian government has claimed that Turkey failed to lend it its full support in the wake of this latest Chechen terrorist attack. Before giving its final word on the issue, the Russian government should take into consideration Turkey’s concerns considering the Chechen nation. However, Turkey should also review its Chechnya policy in order to weigh whether its response to past Chechen terrorism has been sufficiently stern.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION