"It is beyond me why such a respected country as Britain, which has centuries-old traditions, and from which we are learning democracy and democratic values, is meeting half-way international criminals who have on their conscience tens and even hundreds of thousands of human lives," Alkhanov said, speaking on Friday at a news conference organized by the Association of Foreign Correspondents.
"I do not consider that such a position should be adhered to by any country," the president of Chechnya indicated, stressing that the rules of struggle against terrorism ought to be the same for all.
Alkhanov also said that law enforcement bodies are in control of all Chechnya's territory.
Answering a question put to him by a journalist, why Basayev was not caught until now, the president of Chechnya said: "International terrorists are hiding. If Basayev had been openly expecting us to come, we would have long caught him."
"Basayev may be either on the territory of Chechnya or on any other territory," Alkhanov emphasized.
He also gave an assurance that by the end of 2005 there would be no difference between an ordinary constituent member of the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic in terms of presence of law enforcement forces.
"Work is currently in progress to hand over full authority to the republic's Interior Ministry and Chechnya's commandant, and they are responsible for internal law and order," Alkhanov said. The president of Chechnya in that way answered the question of when his administration would assume full power in the republic and when federal forces would be pulled out of Chechnya.
Alkhanov expressed satisfaction with the work of Ramzan Kadyrov, vice-premier of the republic's government.
"As regards his (Kadyrov's) sector of work, he is doing fine," Alkhanov said.
Kadyrov is the first deputy chairman of the republican government and answers for the coordinated functioning of security agencies.
"He certainly has his shortcomings, but he also has a tremendous desire to be useful for his republic," Alkhanov believes. "Kadyrov is doing a great deal for combating Wahhabism and extremism".
Speaking of his personal relations with Kadyrov, the president said: "They are the best".
