Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya.
Monday, Nov 19
US Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow welcomed the first official meeting between Russian and Chechen representatives, which took place at Moscow Sheremetyevo-2 airport on Nov 18. Vershbow added that in turn the US is trying to cut routes providing assistance to terrorists in Chechnya, especially Khattab and the like.
Large-scale "mopping-up operations" started in Grozny and later also in other parts of Chechnya.
Tuesday, Nov 20
An exhibition entitled "Enough!" demanding an end to the war in Chechnya opened at the Sakharov museum and community centre in Moscow. Human right groups simultaneously published their plan to achieve peace in Chechnya.
The Supreme Court of Dagestan finished their initial cross-questioning of Chechen field commander Raduyev and his accomplices who stand accused of a range of crimes mainly connected to the bloody attacks on the Dagestani settlements of Kizlyar and Pervomaiskoye in 1996. All four accused pleaded innocent.
Wednesday, Nov 21
British television station BBC 2 broadcast a documentary according to which Usama bin Laden paid 21 million pounds to Chechen field commander Arbi Barayev for the killing of three Britons and one New Zealander in Chechnya in 1998. Russian authorities reported about Barayev’s involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the foreigners long time ago, without mentioning bin Laden.
Thursday, Nov 22
A correspondent for the Independent in Afghanistan informed that field commander Khattab is fighting in Afghanistan in charge of Osama bin Laden's unit in Kunduz. The information, which was then taken over by Russian media, was later refuted by Russian officials.
Friday, Nov 23
No major events.
Saturday, Nov 24
No major events.
Sunday, Nov 25
The military and political leadership of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, which met at an undiclosed place in southern Chechnya, gave support to the efforts of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov aimed at termination of fighting in Chechnya -- unnamed source close to Maskhadov.
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