“A Pack of Lies”

Vladimir Kalamanov, the new Russian President Putin’s Ombudsman in Chechnya, looked extremely irritated by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Mary Robinson’s statements concerning her visit to Russia’s hotbed. And well he should, for Ms. Robinson had been able to see through the stage props built by the Russians during her trip to Chechnya. She realized that the UN delegation was being taken on a guided tour. Moscow, however, must have expected such a response, since even before her trip the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed doubts about the actual purpose of the UN functionary’s visit. In any case, Mr. Kalamanov could not conceal his frustration — as had been the case with the PACE delegation whose findings proved as uncomplimentary. In his comments on Ms. Robinson’s statements he was even harsher than when commenting on those of Lord Judd. In fact, his response was “a pack of lies.”

No way to treat a lady, least of all a UN High Commissioner. But we leave this to the Kremlin bureaucrat’s conscience. The main thing is why Ms. Robinson reacted so sharply to what she saw in the North Caucasus. Personally, I consider this more than a reaction caused by one’s official position. I think it comes more from her political experience. Prior to Ms. Robinson’s appointment as UN High Commissioner, she was President of Ireland, a republic directly involved in the Ulster conflict dating back many years. Moreover, it is a country that until recently regarded Ulster as a territory unlawfully possessed by the United Kingdom. You can then imagine Ms. Robinson’s reaction to Britain’s “adequate measures” in response to Northern Irish terrorists (who have at times shown as much treachery and cruelty as their Chechen counterparts). Think if British warplanes started dropping bombs on Belfast, followed by street fighting in Londonderry, mining the highways leading to Dublin. Incredible? Perhaps, but all those more or less versed in the history of the Northern Irish conflict know that it in many respects resembles events in the Caucasus. In her case, Mary Robinson did not have to go into politics in the atmosphere of that conflict — nor, by the way, did the veteran British politician, Lord Judd, at the head of the PACE delegation visiting the North Caucasus.

Rather than listen to these people with their convincing experience, the Kremlin bureaucracy simply accused them of falsehood. Naturally, this is much easier than seeking a rational solution to the problem, knowing that it cannot be solved by artillery fire.