Would they really be back in the stone age... you know, considering the pipeline you later mentioned. Contiuned use of that would net the new country quite a bit of money to build infrastructure.

The pipeline connecting the black and caspian sea doesn't go through Chechenya but is in Dagestan which is in the neighbourhood. As it stands, they are getting a lot of Russian investments as they are trying to keep the people pacified. The whole town of Grozny has been apparently completely rebuilt. However if they separate, Chechenya wouldn't see a dime from the pipeline... It would only destabilize the region further which is the last thing that Russia wants.

Wait... which pipeline are we talking about there.  There are pipleines that run through Chechenya.

Grozny itself has oil fields.  The whole city is basically built ON an oil field.

There is more then enough to build a country in resources, just set up a nice deal with the oil starved chinese companies.

Couldn't agree more. What's more cowardly than killing people and yourself so you don't have to face the consequences? If you do something bad you should have to face the consequences. 

Amount of  ignorance in this thread left me speachless.

All this proves to me is that Russia should be aiding other western countries in the war on terror. Chechnya is not alone in fighting Russia foreign fighters have been flowing in to aid the Chechnans in fighting Russia. The Islamic insurgency is a global issue and extremist Islamic groups need to meet a unified front.

Example, Russia vetoing further moves against Iran. Russia actually providing Nuclear technology (For a reactor and processing plant). Iran is a sponsor of global terrorist networks and a threat to the developing and developed world. Russia putting up road blocks for supplying american and Nato troops in Afghanistan, Russia should be doing everything in its power to help them stabalize the country.

In my opinion the second most powerful country on earth should be doing more to combat extremism. Its so worried about Nato but the Islamic Jihad is spreading and a threat to all our countries. I'd expect Russia to help Nato maybe even offer to send peace Keepers to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Russia needs to stop protecting terrorists, especially when those terrorists are attacking you. I watched a report on TV a year or so ago that said Al Quada was sending fighters from all over to Chechnya. This included fighters from Canada and other countries, this just goes to show you this is a global fight.

All democratic countries are targets, all secular countries are targets. Its time Russia started investing more into fighting alongside the rest of the world (Nato/UNISOM)  Contribute more peace keepers stop shielding Iran, invest heavily in winning back the people's hearts (not only in Chechnya but globally)!

95% of chechnyas people do now want a independent country (thus, want to stay in russia)

i only have a german source for the poll though

you cant reflect the thoughts of the extremists onto the whole nation

Considering that the Chechnyan rebels are a popularist group, I'd wager that they have a very large support from the populace.

Not anymore, though public opinion is impossible to guage at this point, but the struggle was really co-opted by the radicals long ago. Now they are still able to recruit, but what's been going on with the new Governor of the territory is that he's been consolidating power pretty well, forcing the extremists to the margins, which is forcing them to use more extreme tactics as they are pushed out. The people probably just want the killing to end at this point, and the fastest route to that is to let the Governor do what needs to be done

Plus Chechnya didn't fare too well when the Russians left the first time. Between 96 and 99 was a period of total chaos for the territory, even if it had de facto independence

Attacks against Russia sounds reasonable for what Russia did, sadly Chechnya is just an criminal country, their hate against Russia may be justified in the eyes of Western citizens and Chechnyans may be reported as the innocent victims;.... but at the same time Chechnyans are fighting in Afghanistan and are probably the reason why the fatalities of USA, UK, Canadian soldiers are increasing fast....

The independance of Chechnya will lead to an new criminal country like Iran..