CHECHEN TALKS RECESS

. The peace talks in Grozny recessedon July 3 to allow time for both sides to consult their governments.On July 2, Russian negotiator Arkady Volsky met with Chechenpresident Dzhokhar Dudayev to press him to resign or to leavethe CIS, but Dudayev said he would leave only if Moscow recognizedthe independence of Chechnya. Chechen negotiator Usman Imayevechoed this position and said that he would oppose any referenceto the Russian constitution in a peace treaty. Meanwhile, Yeltsinissued a decree authorizing the permanent stationing of Russiantroops in Chechnya, a step that infuriated both Chechen negotiators,who said this was a breach of faith, and Chechen fighters wholaunched attacks on Russian positions in Grozny and near Bamut.Russian media suggested that the talks were unlikely to be ascordial when they resume July 6. One thing which did not happenduring this period was the release of any information on thefate of Fred Cuny, the American aid specialist who has been missingin the region since April 9.

Chechen Positions Hardening as Russians Want End to War