Russia Confirms Talks With Chechens
MAGAS, Russia — Russian officials on Friday confirmed that long-rumored talks were being held with Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov and a top rebel commander.
The talks, confirmed by Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s spokesman for Chechnya, Sergei V. Yastrzhembsky, come amid a bloody stalemate.
Russian troops occupy most of the republic but have been unable to wipe out insurgents in Chechnya’s southern mountains. The rebels plant mines and launch hit-and-run attacks on Russian-held cities.
The Kremlin said the talks were not settlement negotiations, but a proposal that the rebels capitulate, the Interfax news agency reported.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
