25 March 2009

Putin held a "tense" meeting with Kadyrov on Friday, trading thinly veiled barbs about whose responsibility it is for the impoverished Chechnya, The Moscow Times writes.

While the government of Putin aims to cut the budget for regional subsidies this year, Kadyrov has been pressing for more federal support.

Medvedev said in February that regional leaders who were not meeting expectations on handling the crisis would be "called to Moscow for meetings".

According to the newspaper, which refers to the Russian sources, Putin opened the meeting by asking whether Kadyrov's "discussion with the Finance Ministry was finished," without elaborating.

"Everything is great with the Finance Ministry now," Kadyrov replied.

"Friends?" Putin asked.

"Friends, thanks to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich!" Kadyrov replied, according to a transcript of the meeting on the Russian government's web site.

In the choppy exchange, which stood out from the usually fawning gubernatorial reports, Putin asked Kadyrov about problems in his region, including wage arrears and unemployment.

Answering a query about aid to Chechens who suffered in an earthquake last year, Kadyrov said his "government" had given families construction materials and used the "national way -- when people help one another."

"But it's important to give state help, as well," Putin said in reply. "What about the hospital that was destroyed?"

"We did everything that was in our power," Kadyrov reported, adding that a new hospital project was being reviewed at the "federal level" in Moscow -- in the Health and Social Development Ministry.

Putin responded that it needed to be a modern hospital, to which Kadyrov replied: "Of course. Euro-standard."

"The main thing for us is your word that you settle this issue," Kadyrov said, responding to another jab from Putin about the quality of the facility.

Putin then abruptly turned his attention to a giant mosque finished in Grozny (Jokhar - KC) in October last year.

The mosque can hold 10,000 people and is finished with rare marble and 36 Swarovski crystal chandeliers.

Interestingly, the mosque is located on "Vladimir Putin's Avenue" (who killed 250 thousand Muslims of Chechnya - KC).

"And how is your mosque functioning? I saw that you've held some big events," Putin asked, referring to the festivities on the prophet Mohammed's (pbuh) birthday earlier this month.

The newspaper writes that while the sparring suggested a worsening of mutual frustration over who dictates Chechnya's spending priorities, Kadyrov, hastened to declare he was satisfied with the results of the meeting.

A statement on the "Chechen government's" web site said Putin gave "special attention" to the mosque and was "impressed" by the scope of the celebrations, The Moscow Times newspaper writes. -- Kavkaz Center