Chechnya's Referendum: Towards Dialogue or Dead End?
Current Issues Briefing
OSCE observers arrive in Grozny, Chechnya, on January, 25 1999 to monitor upcoimg elections.
NATO Photo
Date and Time
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
10:00–11:45 AM
Location
U.S. Institute of Peace
2nd Floor Conference Room
1200 17th St, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Directions
As conflict in Chechnya has continued, civilian casualties have risen, rebel tactics and military abuses have escalated, and dialogue has stalled. A constitutional referendum on March 23, 2003 was timed to coincide with a limited withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya. It was hoped by that the vote would contribute to peace and a restoration of civil society to Chechens, while others have rejected it as a disingenuous and illegitimate public relations stunt.
In the aftermath of the referendum, experts at a March 25 Institute briefing analyzed the outcome and discussed:
- Russia's goals in holding the referendum, the likely consequences for Chechnya, and implications for U.S. policy in the region;
- Whether Russian assurances of peace, autonomy, and reparations for Chechens are genuine; and
- How the radicalization of the Chechen struggle by Islamic militants will affect cooperation in the war on terrorism and reactions to recent Chechen peace proposals.
Moderated by Institute program officer and democratization expert Anne Henderson, the panel presentation was followed by questions from the floor and the Internet audience.
Speakers
- Zaindi Choltaev
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Kennan Institute
- Glen Howard
American Committee for Peace in Chechnya
- Mike Morrow
U.S. Department of State, Office of Russian Affairs
- Anne Henderson, Moderator
U.S. Institute of Peace
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