A language of force

Moscow has ceased to hide the fact that it is waging a battle against the Chechen republic. It is passing signals that despite sending its negotiators to the Chechen republic, it will conduct negotiations using the language of force. The people of the Chechen republic can either surrender or die.

The Russian authorities are using another language for their own people. It is the language of hatred. The authorities are implying that the Russian people can expect the worst from the people of the Caucasus region -- the terrorist acts, assaults, and assassinations.

The anti-Chechen republic psychosis is being stirred up, the Moscow streets are patrolled by police wearing bullet-proof vests and the state buildings are under special protection.

Ironically, the situation in the Chechen republic has coincided with the Budapest summit where Moscow has opposed the expansion of NATO. It does not bode well for the Budapest summit.

If Russia continues to use this language of force and hatred in Budapest, it will cause a permanent division in Europe.

-- Zycie Warszawy, Warsaw