Russia moves to end Chechen conflict

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, SEPT. 29. Russia is stepping up efforts to end the conflict in Chechnya to avoid fighting on two fronts, as its military involvement in Central Asia and Afghanistan has greatly increased.

Moscow and Chechen rebels have both reported establishing contacts that may lead to peace talks.

General Viktor Kazantsev, Kremlin envoy in the region, said he was in contact with a representative of the separatist Chechen President, Mr. Aslan Maskhadov.

The Chechen leader confirmed the report saying he had deputed Mr. Akhmed Zakayev to try and identify ``common ground on such issues as ending the fighting and opening serious talks at a higher level''.

Earlier this week Russia's President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, made a surprise offer of peace to the rebels, urging them ``immediately and unconditionally to cut all contact with international terrorist groups'', lay down arms and ``return to civilian life'', which is tantamount to a promise of immunity from prosecution.

Even though Mr. Putin gave the rebels 72 hours to respond to his appeal, Kremlin officials said contacts will continue beyond the deadline, which expired on Thursday.

Russian officials insist that the agenda of talks will be limited to discussing the terms of Chechens' surrender, and for the first time separatist leaders appear ready to drop political demands.

In an interview to the Kommersant daily on Saturday Mr. Maskhadov suggested the rebels could lay down arms in exchange for ``solid security guarantees''.

Moscow is anxious to wind up the conflict in Chechnya as it has opened a second anti-terrorist front in Central Asia. Russia has stepped up supplies of weapons and military equipment to the anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan and is boosting its military presence in Central Asia.

The Russian military fear the prospect of having to fight on two fronts, as Russia's most combat-ready units are pinned down in Chechnya.

``If the U.S. begins bombing raids in Afghanistan, Russia should brace itself for retaliatory strikes not only from the Taliban,'' said General Konstantin Totsky, commander of the Russian border guards. ``There will be Chechen attacks across the border from Georgia and Azerbaijan and activisation of rebels in Chechnya itself.''

Moscow has already secured a revision of the West's stance on Chechnya, with the U.S. demanding that Chechen separatists sever links with international terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda headed by Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the U.S. attacks.

The U.S. envoy in Moscow, Mr. Alexander Vershbow, on Friday pledged American support to Russia in cutting off foreign aid to Chechen fighters. Washington has already brought pressure on Georgia and Turkey to crack down on Chechen separatists operating on their territory.

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Section  : International
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