Ramzan Kadyrov becomes head of the World Congress of Chechen People

Today in Grozny, the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was elected by the delegates of the World Congress of Chechen People to be Secretary General of the Congress. According to observers, this will make him more independent from the Kremlin.

The RIA "Novosti" reports that the next regular sitting of the Congress will take place in three years in Grozny.

As suggested by political scientist Paul Goble, the holding by Ramzan Kadyrov of the World Congress of Chechen People is not only an evidence of his increasing role in Chechnya, but also "gives him an independent power foundation, reducing Moscow's chances to control him or just to remove from office," the Voice of America reports.

Residents of the republic are ambiguously evaluating the event. Some believe that the Congress may have a positive impact on the development of the situation in the country, while others believe that the main aim of the Congress is to consolidate the status quo in Chechnya.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, Ramzan Kadyrov, when speaking yesterday, October 12, to the Congress, unexpectedly announced that Ahmed Zakaev, representative of Chechen separatists, was involved in the armed attack of militants on Tsentoroi, the family village of the head of Chechnya, which was committed in late August this year.

Ramzan Kadyrov especially stressed that relatives of those killed and injured in Tsentoroi announced blood feud to Zakaev.

Local experts tend to regard this Kadyrov's statement as a revenge on Zakaev, who had stated earlier that he had no intention to return to the Chechen Republic.

"Ahmed Zakaev has no possibilities to organize any actions in Chechnya; therefore, the announcement of Ramzan Kadyrov is totally unconvincing," said one local experts, who asked not to name him.

In his turn, Alvi Karimov, press secretary of the Chechen President, explained that Kadyrov was not going to take revenge on anyone, the "Gazeta.ru" reports.

So far, Zakaev's reaction to Kadyrov's accusations is unknown.