Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya. Compiled by Prague Watchdog.
Monday, June 3
President of Ingushetia Murat Zyazikov stated there would be no forced repatriation of Chechen and North Osetian refugees from Ingushetia.
Over 500 charges concerning fraudulend use of funds earmarked from the federal budget for the restoration of Chechnya's social and economic sphere are underway in the republic now, said Vladimir Yelagin, federal minister in charge of Chechnya. The misuse of the funds stems especially from the non-functioning banking system in the republic, which leads to operations in cash and, consequently, corruption, Yelagin said.
The military court in Rostov-on-Don turned down a proposal for a second psychological and psychiatrical examination of Russian Colonel Yuri Budanov, who had been charged with rape and murder of Chechen girl Elza Kungayeva in late March 2000. According to the first examination, whose results were announced on May 14, 2002, Budanov was not in control of his actions during his deed.
Tuesday, June 4
Chechnya's Prosecutor Nikolai Kostyuchenko said that no violations of citizens' rights have been reported during a special operation by federal forces in Mesker-Yurt, which has been taking place in the cordoned-off village for more than two weeks. On the other hand, Chechen news server Chechenpress.com reported that the bodies of some two dozen people, including two women, who had been shot dead, were found in a mass grave between the villages of Tsotin-Yurt and Mesker-Yurt.
Wednesday, June 5
Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Russia Muhammad Hasan Abdelvali categorically denied that his country was or is providing aid to Chechen fighters. He said that the war in Chechnya is Russia's internal affair but that it is desirable to differentiate between terrorist activities and fight with occupation forces. -- Interfax
Thursday, June 6
Russia's State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, passed a government-sponsored anti-extremism bill in the first reading. Liberal critics say that its vague provisions could lead to abuses by the authorities.
U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Stephan M. Minikes told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna that the United States considers the work of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya (Russian Federation) under the leadership of Ambassador Jorma Inki to be "one of the most valuable resources on, and efforts in, Chechnya,", that the USA supports implementation of the group's full mandate, the further transfer of powers to, and development of the local administration in Chechnya, and the drafting of a constitution for Chechnya. -- US Department of State
The leadership and students of the Chechen State University decided to appoint Akhmad Kadyrov, head of Chechnya's pro-Moscow administration, professor honoris causa of the university on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the university. -- Strana.ru
Friday, June 7
Chechen news server Chechenpress.com published an appeal of June 5 by President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov in which the Chechen leader expressed his profound concern and outrage at the sufferings inflicted by Russian troops on the civilian population and called on Chechens to be patient.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer described the treatment of Chechen civilians by Russian forces as
unacceptable and said that the September 11 cannot justify Russia's actions in Chechnya. -- German news agency DPA.
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