CHECHNYA ARMISTICE TALKS BEGIN.

Russian-Chechen talks on implementing the May 27 ceasefire agreement opened yesterday in Ingushetia’s capital Nazran. Overnight and this morning, both sides reported they discussed only procedural issues. A working group co-chaired by the Russian commander, Lt. General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov and Chechen chief of staff Aslan Maskhadov will handle military issues, and another group co-chaired by Russian Maj. General and Duma deputy Nikolay Bezborodov and Chechen resistance interior minister Kazbek Makhashev will handle the exchange of prisoners. The OSCE’s Chechnya mission chief Tim Guldimann moderates the talks by mutual consent. (Russian and Western agencies, June 4 and 5)

Clean-Money Bill.