Logistically, the Chechen republic stands in the path of Azerbaijani offshore oil fields being developed under a multi-billion-dollar project. The pipeline crosses over 95 miles of Chechen territory, and the Chechens have been reluctant to accept the pennies-per-gallon deal offered for the transit.
The U.S.-based ChevronTexaco Corporation shares 60 percent of the investment with Russia's LUKoil company, part of the consortium that plans to pump half-a-million barrels per day. "Big oil dollars," writes Blagov, "are likely to remain a factor in an ongoing Chechen tragedy."
The Chechen struggle in the post-Soviet era has been fraught with Russian offenses and atrocities. In 1996, the ferocity of their struggle gained Chechens a brief period of autonomy from their Russian masters.
"At that stage," writes Phil Reeves, "the Chechens enjoyed a degree of international sympathy, not least because of the sheer brutality of the Russian army, who flattened the city of Grozny, set up "filtration" camps for young Chechens, ransacked towns and raped women."
Enter President Vladimir Putin, former KGB chief and the new manifestation of the Russian czar.
The U.S.-based ChevronTexaco Corporation shares 60 percent of the investment with Russia's LUKoil company, part of the consortium that plans to pump half-a-million barrels per day. "Big oil dollars," writes Blagov, "are likely to remain a factor in an ongoing Chechen tragedy."
The Chechen struggle in the post-Soviet era has been fraught with Russian offenses and atrocities. In 1996, the ferocity of their struggle gained Chechens a brief period of autonomy from their Russian masters.
"At that stage," writes Phil Reeves, "the Chechens enjoyed a degree of international sympathy, not least because of the sheer brutality of the Russian army, who flattened the city of Grozny, set up "filtration" camps for young Chechens, ransacked towns and raped women."
Enter President Vladimir Putin, former KGB chief and the new manifestation of the Russian czar.