CHECHEN PARLIAMENT REFUSES TO GRANT PRESIDENT SPECIAL POWERS.

Pleading lack of a quorum, the Chechen parliament has for the second time refused President Aslan Maskhadov’s request to be granted special powers for two years. Maskhadov wants to be able to appoint ministers, override laws and decisions passed by parliament, declare a state of economic emergency, and rule by presidential decree. Maskhadov, who is presently on holiday in Turkey, says he needs the powers to pull Chechnya out of its post-war social and economic crisis. (Itar-Tass, October 29)

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