Chechnya's president to meet separatists

President Alu Alkhanov of the Chechen Republic intends soon to meet leaders and representatives of the former Maskhadov regime living abroad, RIA Novosti reports. "I am going to visit Brussels soon where I will meet so-called leaders of Ichkeria," Mr Alkhanov said at a press conference in Grozny when answering a question of Interfax.

"Without peace, there is no creation, development is impossible, and democratic processes are impossible. To boost these phenomena, one has to handle return to peaceful life not only of rebels who are in Chechnya, but also those who for some reasons and false considerations have come to live in the West," Mr Alkhanov remarked.

"The reconciliation policy will continue, and we welcome those who want peace and creation in this land," the Chechen president said.

According to him, the issue of jobs for those members of illegal military units who have laid down arms and have been amnestied is being successfully settled in Chechnya. "Those who have come back to peaceful life have been able to find jobs, many of them work with various structures," the republican head said.

A total of about 7,000 former members of illegal armed groups have been amnestied in Chechnya, reminded President Alkhanov. The president had formerly said that late Ichkeria president Aslan Maskhadov's associate Ahmed Zakayev could return to Chechnya in the event of amnesty.