Posted on 12/18/2002 12:08:47 PM PST by knighthawk
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has sacked the head of army operations in Chechnya, Gennady Troshev.
General Troshev has publicly refused to take up a new position command of the Siberian military district, seen as a demotion from his high-profile position in Chechnya.
He also criticised Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov for offering him the new job.
The Russian defence ministry called General Troshev's behaviour "inappropriate".
"Senior officers should not discuss before the whole country questions pertaining to the military high command's personnel policy," spokesman Nikolay Deryabin told Interfax news agency.
Putin's dilemma
Observers considered General Troshev's move an act of rebellion.
"It is very serious and will have to be dealt with. Putin cannot accept it," defence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said.
General Troshev's defiance is part of a deeper crisis Mr Ivanov is a close associate of President Vladimir Putin - they are both from Saint Petersburg, and served together in the secret service, the KGB.
Some think Mr Putin's move was aimed at stamping his authority on the Russian forces in Chechnya.
Crisis in the ranks
"The Russian military in Chechnya have long stopped obeying orders from Moscow," Mr Felgenhauer said.
He believes General Troshev's defiance was also part of a much deeper crisis among the military.
A project to turn Russia's army into a fully professional force by 2010 had to be shelved because of the strong resistance from the military.
And the defence minister had been repeatedly criticised for failing to impose his will particularly on senior officers serving in Chechnya.
In a rare public acknowledgement of abuses in the breakaway republic, Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov has denounced violations committed by Russian troops in Chechnya.
Mr Gryzlov accepted there were numerous cases of abuse by Russian troops at checkpoints, including extortion, abduction and even murder.
Earlier, the lower house of the parliament, Duma, urged President Putin to introduce a state of emergency in Chechnya to help protect the rights of the civilian population and strengthen civilian control over the actions of Russian troops in Chechnya.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Of course!...Where else?...The old Siberian ploy...BWAHAHAHA!!
FMCDH
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.