Your opinion on Chechnya

[Zaras]

Earth to Ignorant guy: I was joking.

And what are you talking about how I shouldn't insult France?

Do please tell me what country liberated France, and yet, is insulted by France's current generation via stereotypes?

What's that? America? Damn, well, would you look at that...

France the rudest country in the world.

Especially towards Americans & Englishmen.

So canada, great britain, australia and poland didnt have any soldiers fighting to free france? And they are far from the rudest country in the world, you claim they hate america due to stereotypes yet you stereotype france as being igorant and rude, shows your ignorance so yes you did insult them and your attitude about russians even though you were aparently "joking" reeked of ignorance as well.

Krowninsburg tried to insult France as rude and ignorant, but in the process managed to sound rude and ignorant. I love irony.

[Ruridova]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

[Mandicoria]

Its better off with Russia, It can also do pretty well on its own economicly. Still, as long as its a part Russia it can remain safe.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

yep, also bombed an airport a while back and some of them during the war's beheaded russian soldiers they took prisoner. Not all chechen people are like that, hell no, many of them just want to get on with their lives but there is a radical force there that wants to establish its own caliphate in the caucasus. Thats one of the main points of contention there.

[Zaras]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

yep, also bombed an airport a while back and some of them during the war's beheaded russian soldiers they took prisoner. Not all chechen people are like that, hell no, many of them just want to get on with their lives but there is a radical force there that wants to establish its own caliphate in the caucasus. Thats one of the main points of contention there.

Sort of like the difference between Basques and ETA.

[Ruridova]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

yep, also bombed an airport a while back and some of them during the war's beheaded russian soldiers they took prisoner. Not all chechen people are like that, hell no, many of them just want to get on with their lives but there is a radical force there that wants to establish its own caliphate in the caucasus. Thats one of the main points of contention there.

Ah.

I have a problem with the psychotic terrorist types. I have no problem with the "can we just get on with our lives" average Cechnyan citizens.

[The Huskar Social Union]

yep, also bombed an airport a while back and some of them during the war's beheaded russian soldiers they took prisoner. Not all chechen people are like that, hell no, many of them just want to get on with their lives but there is a radical force there that wants to establish its own caliphate in the caucasus. Thats one of the main points of contention there.

Ah.

I have a problem with the psychotic terrorist types. I have no problem with the "can we just get on with our lives" average Cechnyan citizens.

yeah the former are the reason why chechnya got flattened in the second war, chechnya earned a defacto independence and got a bit more freedom but was still part of russia after the first war which they won. Due to incompetent commanders and a fractured military following the collaspe of the USSR. They attacked a neighbouring region forcing putin to order the military into dagestan (the region they invaded) and into chechnya and annihilate them. Meaning they lost that hard earned freedom.

[Alternate Universe 912]

Why not just let the Chechins vote on it? Though I can understand not all Russians might be OK with just giving Chechnya such authority!

We did it with Puerto Rico. They chose to remain a territory. Of course, the vote wasn't binding, but it takes the pressure off the federal government if the territory's voters say they're OK with not being an independent state.

[Shofercia]

Why not just let the Chechins vote on it? Though I can understand not all Russians might be OK with just giving Chechnya such authority!

We did it with Puerto Rico. They chose to remain a territory. Of course, the vote wasn't binding, but it takes the pressure off the federal government if the territory's voters say they're OK with not being an independent state.

As long as all residents of Chechnya get to vote, not just those of an ethnic Chechen origin, but also the Russians, the Ingush, etc - I'd be ok with that

[Goldwateria (Ancient)]

Why not just let the Chechins vote on it? Though I can understand not all Russians might be OK with just giving Chechnya such authority!

We did it with Puerto Rico. They chose to remain a territory. Of course, the vote wasn't binding, but it takes the pressure off the federal government if the territory's voters say they're OK with not being an independent state.

As long as all residents of Chechnya get to vote, not just those of an ethnic Chechen origin, but also the Russians, the Ingush, etc - I'd be ok with that

And so long as the Russian soldiers occupying the country aren't allowed to, I would be as well

It does need to be a free and fair referendum if it is held. Preferably monitored by a couple of international watchdog organizations to make sure there isn't anything screw going on on either side.

[Shofercia]

As long as all residents of Chechnya get to vote, not just those of an ethnic Chechen origin, but also the Russians, the Ingush, etc - I'd be ok with that

And so long as the Russian soldiers occupying the country aren't allowed to, I would be as well

It does need to be a free and fair referendum if it is held. Preferably monitored by a couple of international watchdog organizations to make sure there isn't anything screw going on on either side.

Oh no, I'd say massive monitoring, cameras, and all that jazz, and have cameramen from all networks follow the ballots all the way, until they're counted. I'm not entrusting this to a single, or even a few international watchdogs. They can still participate if they want to, but they won't be the only ones with cameras. Additionally, Russian soldiers who are based in Chechnya - should vote, on principle alone. Plus, it's not like their votes will make a difference. According to Wikidorkia, Chechnya has a population of 1,268,989. There are at most, 20,000 Russian soldiers stationed there. Russia's main base of operations in the Caucasus Region is in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia. 20,000 out of roughly 1.27 million aren't going to make much of a difference. Russia's entire army for the Caucasus Region, numbers 150,000 at most. If the Chechens clearly want independence, as you allege, Russian voting shouldn't even make a difference in that case, but I'm not even suggesting that all of the 150,000 vote. Just the 20,000 based in Chechnya.

[Risottia]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

Not every single Chechen participated in, or supported that action. I guess not even a plurality.

Criminal responsibility is individual, not collective.

[Unified Provinces]

Since I'm not Russian or from Chechnya I don't really have an opinion.

[Risottia]

Additionally, Russian soldiers who are based in Chechnya - should vote, on principle alone. ...

I agree on about everything else but not about this one. Because
1)as a principle, only the people whose official residence is there should vote; a Russian soldier (or other public employee) whose residence is in Moscow has actually no direct interest in determining the eventual independence of Chechnya.
2)it would allow speculations about an eventual sudden rise of the military presence - which could be justified, or even required, to guarantee the public order during voting operations.

[Shofercia]

Additionally, Russian soldiers who are based in Chechnya - should vote, on principle alone. ...

I agree on about everything else but not about this one. Because
1)as a principle, only the people whose official residence is there should vote; a Russian soldier (or other public employee) whose residence is in Moscow has actually no direct interest in determining the eventual independence of Chechnya.
2)it would allow speculations about an eventual sudden rise of the military presence - which could be justified, or even required, to guarantee the public order during voting operations.

That's why I said based in Chechnya; in Russian army terms, that means that they're living in Chechnya for at least a year, and more likely - two years. Some of them also volunteered to serve in Chechnya, due to patriotism, higher adrenaline rush, better pay, better housing, etc. They're not just there for a few months, and then they leave. Also, Chechnya has a well trained police force that can keep order, so the military would just be voting, not actually involved in keeping the peace.

[Risottia]

I agree on about everything else but not about this one. Because
1)as a principle, only the people whose official residence is there should vote; a Russian soldier (or other public employee) whose residence is in Moscow has actually no direct interest in determining the eventual independence of Chechnya.
2)it would allow speculations about an eventual sudden rise of the military presence - which could be justified, or even required, to guarantee the public order during voting operations.

That's why I said based in Chechnya; in Russian army terms, that means that they're living in Chechnya for at least a year, and more likely - two years.

At the end of those two years, though, they'll be back home, so, since this wouldn't be just the election of a 5-year term municipality, but something with potentially permanent effects, I think only people who look forward to staying on that territory for most of their life should be allowed to vote.

[Goldwateria (Ancient)]

And so long as the Russian soldiers occupying the country aren't allowed to, I would be as well

It does need to be a free and fair referendum if it is held. Preferably monitored by a couple of international watchdog organizations to make sure there isn't anything screw going on on either side.

Oh no, I'd say massive monitoring, cameras, and all that jazz, and have cameramen from all networks follow the ballots all the way, until they're counted. I'm not entrusting this to a single, or even a few international watchdogs. They can still participate if they want to, but they won't be the only ones with cameras. Additionally, Russian soldiers who are based in Chechnya - should vote, on principle alone. Plus, it's not like their votes will make a difference. According to Wikidorkia, Chechnya has a population of 1,268,989. There are at most, 20,000 Russian soldiers stationed there. Russia's main base of operations in the Caucasus Region is in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia. 20,000 out of roughly 1.27 million aren't going to make much of a difference. Russia's entire army for the Caucasus Region, numbers 150,000 at most. If the Chechens clearly want independence, as you allege, Russian voting shouldn't even make a difference in that case, but I'm not even suggesting that all of the 150,000 vote. Just the 20,000 based in Chechnya.

Why should the 20,000 in Chechnya be allowed to vote at all? It doesn't affect them beyond where they will be based in the future, which is typically not something one puts to a vote in any army. I mean, the offhand Chechnyan born soldier in the Russian army I can understand, but allowing soldiers who are drawn from other regions of Russia to participate in a vote to determine the future of a region that is not theirs reeks of bias and unfairness to me. Even if their votes WOULDN'T affect the results of such a vote, I don't think they should be allowed to on principle alone (not to mention the affect such voting would have on public participation and discourse on the topic).

[Soviet Russia Republic]

Didn't they hold a bunch of Russians hostage in a theatre and blow up a bunch of buildings?

Not every single Chechen participated in, or supported that action. I guess not even a plurality.

Criminal responsibility is individual, not collective.

A lot of the people that took part in past attacks and even more so in present day attacks, were/are not from Chechnya...or even from the country.

[Shofercia]

That's why I said based in Chechnya; in Russian army terms, that means that they're living in Chechnya for at least a year, and more likely - two years.

At the end of those two years, though, they'll be back home, so, since this wouldn't be just the election of a 5-year term municipality, but something with potentially permanent effects, I think only people who look forward to staying on that territory for most of their life should be allowed to vote.

But when you serve in the army, you serve with a bunch of guys. So army soldiers are known to, erm, integrate, with the local population, and sometimes fall in love, and stay in Chechnya. Why shouldn't they be allowed to vote? Would you allow them to vote if they can demonstrate an intent to remain in Chechnya, after their service is over?

[Asurytas]

Chechnya should be annexed by Denmark.

[Exi1and]

I think that voting for Chechen independence is a waste of time and money. In the last election, almost all voted for United Russia. If they wanted independence, they would not do that.

[Goldwateria (Ancient)]

I think that voting for Chechen independence is a waste of time and money. In the last election, almost all voted for United Russia. If they wanted independence, they would not do that.

In the last election there was a 99.8% turnout rate and votes for opposing candidates rarely got above double-digits.I don't think a fraudulent election rigged by Russian officials is exactly representative of the population.

[Exi1and]

I think that voting for Chechen independence is a waste of time and money. In the last election, almost all voted for United Russia. If they wanted independence, they would not do that.

In the last election there was a 99.8% turnout rate and votes for opposing candidates rarely got above double-digits.I don't think a fraudulent election rigged by Russian officials is exactly representative of the population.

They got a lot of votes because of the good way that United Russia and Kadyrov lead Chechnya.

[Vesium]

I could care less for foreign politics. I guess i cared enough to post about it though...

[Goldwateria (Ancient)]

In the last election there was a 99.8% turnout rate and votes for opposing candidates rarely got above double-digits.I don't think a fraudulent election rigged by Russian officials is exactly representative of the population.

They got a lot of votes because of the good way that United Russia and Kadyrov lead Chechnya.

I think it had more to do with rigging the vote.