Chechenpress

The fireworks show for the PACE delegates was not intended by the Chechens

As reports Interfax, according to the head of the PACE delegation visiting Chechnya, "it is evident that positive changes are taking place in the republic". "According to our data, the military actions are gradually reduced", - added the European deputy.

The quotation is so brief and diplomatic that it is not quite clear whose activity is meant: Does he mean the military actions of the Chechen fighters or that of the Russian troops.

Another quotation cited from the same issue of Interfax characterizes the military activity of the Russians in Chechnya: "The echelon of a landing party is bound for Chechnya. The second special train with the members of the 104th airborne regiment of the 76th airborne division was sent to the Chechen Republic from the railway station of Pskov last Sunday. This regiment was the first one sent to the Chechen Republic within the framework of rotation of the units of operative grouping. Two battalions of tactic groups consisting of 1000 commandos were sent to the Northern Caucasus to take part in the military actions carried out in Chechnya. Total number of the commandos make up 2,5 thousand people".

As to the military activity of the Chechen subunits, Interfax reports: "For the period from 9 to 15 June the Chechen fighters blasted 19 armoured carriers. The sappers rendered harmless more than 100 explosive devices, including 14 land mines on the roads of republican significance. The sappers of federal forces cleared of mines 3 bridges and two suspension bridges in the mountains".

So, we have to ask the European deputy: Who stands to gain from the falsehood about the "gradual normalization" of situation in Chechnya? Russia, Chechnya or Europe?

T. Nemirovich, Chechenpress, June 17, 2003

http://www.chechenpress.info/english/news/06_2003/5_18_06.shtml