CHECHEN FIELD COMMANDERS CONTINUE TO BLAME RUSSIAN SECURITY SERVICES FOR ATTEMPT ON MASKHADOV.

Chechen vice president and well-known field commander Vakha Arsanov inspected his armed formations on Saturday. His motive for doing this was the recent attempt on the life of President Aslan Maskhadov. According to Arsanov, because of this situation, he needed to meet with his brothers-in-arms (during the war with Russia, Arsanov commanded the Northwestern Front). Arsanov denies that civil war is possible in Chechnya, and thinks that the attempt on Maskhadov’s life was inspired by the Russian security services. Ex-premier Zelimkhan Yandarbiev also thinks that it was Moscow who organized the assassination attempt. (NTV, July 25)

In response to Chechen field commanders’ constant accusations that the Kremlin was involved in the political crisis within Chechnya, top Russian leaders just as constantly reaffirm their support for Maskhadov (who is undoubtedly the Chechen leader most acceptable to the Kremlin today). On Saturday, Russian President Boris Yeltsin also declared his unconditional support of Maskhadov. (NTV, July 25)

LARGE INDONESIAN ARMS DEAL LOST; CONFUSION REGARDING INDIAN SALE.