§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have had with the Russian Government on the prospects of a broadly-based inclusive political process in Chechnya both to promote a sustainable peace and to strengthen the credibility of moderate Islamic leadership throughout the world. [HL298]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have regularly stressed to the Russian Government the need for an open political process in Chechnya.
We most recently raised this with the Russian authorities in the context of the Chechen presidential elections, when my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) called upon the new President, Kadyrov, to work for reconciliation and promote a genuinely open political process.