Election of moderate military leader Aslan Maskhadov as president of Chechnya bodes well for short-term stability in the maverick province. But long-term ramifications - including the prospect of independence - are not as certain.
While Chechens may have viewed the presidential vote as an opportunity to formalize their attempted break from Russia, Moscow has indicated otherwise. Though apparently pleased at Maskhadov's triumph, Russian leaders quickly discounted any thoughts of Chechnya becoming a sovereign state.Concerns about immediate renewed fighting dissolved with Maskhadov winning. Moscow had expressed concerns with several of the other presidential candidates, including young rebel leader and runner-up Shamil Basayev.
While being viewed as more moderate than the other hopefuls, the former Soviet colonel is a forceful leader who masterminded the defeat of Russian forces. All of the presidential contenders support independence from Russia. Maskhadov is regarded as a pragmatist who has the best opportunity to make it reality.
But that will take time and hopefully happen without further bloodshed. As election results were finalized, both sides began their political posturing on the independence issue. Maskhadov said he was willing to accept reasonable compromise but doubted Russian leaders are ready for a "sensible approach."
President Boris Yeltsin, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction that the election was held but said Chechnya must remain part of Russia.
Here's hope that the election provides a foundation and framework for futher negotiations concerning Chechen independence. Political differences between the two sides need to be resolved peacefully to provide long-term stability in the region.