CHINA REJECTS CHECHNYA’S OVERTURES.

Beijing has refused Grozny’s proposal to exchange official envoys. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman revealed last week that an approach was made to the Chinese government by Chechnya’s mission in Almaty through the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan. The Chinese government refused the invitation, informing the Russian Embassy in Beijing that "China always saw and sees Chechnya as an inalienable part and subject of the Russian Federation." (Itar-Tass, September 18) China is sensitive about possible secessionist aspirations in its own Uighur community.

Chubais Complains About Russia’s Exclusion.