And people in Chechnya, who tend to be relatively well informed about foreign affairs, were very confused about US inaction in the face of the lofty moral principles that it advanced over Kosovo. The reason behind the Clinton administration s reluctance to take a tough stance on the abuses in Chechnya is precisely its high profile intervention in Kosovo. Russia was irked by the United States and NATO intervention in the Balkans, which it perceived as an attempt by the US to move into Eastern Europe by expanding NATO and dominating Kosovo. At the European summit in Istanbul on Nov. 18, for example, Clinton endorsed Russia's right to go after terrorists in Chechnya and limited his criticism to the occurrence of civilian casualties. Still, if the Russian Army has made any effort to avoid civilian casualties, it has not been evident.
Russian authorities claim they are conducting criminal investigations.
But, according to human rights organizations, there are no lawyers, no evidence is presented and no one seems to go to trial. When the allegations of torture at the Chernokozovo camp attracted international attention, the Russian government cleaned up the facility. By the time international monitors and journalists visited the camp in late February 2000, conditions had improved and most of the evidence of abuse had been removed. Chernokozovo sported a fresh coat of paint, and inmates, speaking within earshot of guards, said they have been treated well. Firstly, because it has gotten away with it before.