THE WAR IN CHECHNYA - HISTORICAL BACKGROU ND AND PERSPECTIVES

The article provides the reader with an analysis of the historical bac kground of Chechnya - an essential clue to understanding the present c onflict. To any political observer with this historical background in mind the unfolding of the events in Chechnya does not come as a surpri se. It strongly resembles previous historical patterns. It is conclude d that western thinking on the problem of Chechnya rests on false assu mptions and wrong premises. The widely held belief in the West that fr eedom for Chechnya will lead to disintegration of Russia has at the sa me time provided a convenient ideological underpinning of the Russian war effort.