Russia Completes Extra Troop Withdrawal From Chechnya: General Staff

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 11, 2002

Russia Completes Extra Troop Withdrawal From Chechnya: General Staff

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Russia has carried out its plan to withdraw extra federal troops from Chechnya and no large bandit formations now stay in the republic, Chief of the Russian Army General Staff Anatoly Kvashnin told reporters Thursday.

The planned withdrawal of excessive federal forces from Chechnya has been completed. Now, the 42nd Guard Motor-Rifle Division, units of the North Caucasus Military District, a group of Airborne Troops and military commandant's offices are constantly deployed in Chechnya, said the general.

"Targeted special operations are now mainly carried out by the forces from the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service ( FSB) and the military commandants' offices," Kvashnin said. "We have been and will continue to track down the leaders of bandit formations in Chechnya," he said.

According to the general, only scattered small groups of militants continue acting in Chechnya now. Moreover, the bandit detachments led by rebel heads Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev have practically suspended their terrorist activities.

The Jordan-born rebel leader Khattab's foreign mercenaries who are financed from abroad remain in Chechnya, he said, ruling out " the possibility of holding talks with Maskhadov, Basayev and Khattab."

Meanwhile, representatives of the federal forces are carrying out talks with some field commanders, urging them to capitulate. They are also conducting negotiations with rank-and-file members of extremist groups who are seen as "misled people who were deceived and have since assisted militant chieftains." Kvashnin said.

US Criticizes Russia's Operations in Chechnya