AUSHEV BLAMES DZASOKHOV FOR CRISIS IN OSSETIAN-INGUSH RELATIONS.

Thekidnapping of six Ingush by Ossetians (see the Monitor, June 11) hasprovoked a crisis between the North Ossetian and Ingush presidents. For thefirst time, Ingush President Ruslan Aushev has made direct accusationsagainst North Ossetian President Aleksandr Dzasokhov: “All this[hostage-taking] was set in motion by certain forces in North Ossetia.Dzasokhov says that he wants to improve relations. Why, then, doesn’t hehold those who created this outrage accountable? Why hasn’t he fired asingle chief of administration in Prigorodny District? Either he has nocontrol over the situation, or he has fallen into the trap set for him bythe national-patriots.” (Kommersant-daily, June 11) Aushev’s accusations arean alarming symptom. After Dzasokhov’s election as president of NorthOssetia several months ago, most analysts predicted that relations betweenVladikavkaz and Nazran would improve, since Dzasokhov, unlike hispredecessor Akhsarbek Galazov, was not involved in the 1992 Ingush-Ossetianconflict. Until now, that prediction has held true. Right after hiselection, Dzasokhov proclaimed Ingush-Ossetian friendship and acceleratedthe repatriation of Ingush refugees to North Ossetia’s Prigorodny District.Dzasokhov has still not lost his optimism. In his opinion, the presentconflict has been stirred up by “shadowy forces” who are dissatisfied with”the rapid rate at which the conflict is being settled.” Dzasokhov says heremains hopeful that his previously good relations with Aushev will helpfind a solution to the conflict. (Kommersant-daily, June 11)

RUSSIAN-ESTONIAN BORDER AGREEMENT ON ICE.