RUSSIAN-INHABITED DISTRICTS WANT TO LEAVE CHECHNYA.

Inhabitants of the northern regions of Chechnya, where the majority of Chechnya’s ethnic Russians live, are collecting signatures calling for their districts to leave Chechnya and join Russia proper. Chechnya’s Naursky and Nadterechny districts, which were part of Stavropol krai until 1957, launched the petition, and inhabitants of Urus-Martan, Shatoi, Achkhoi-Martan and Shelkovsky districts are also said to be interested. There are reports of defense units being formed in these districts. (RIA news agency, October 1)

RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER TELEVISION.