MASKHADOV ORDERS UNIDENTIFIED FIELD COMMANDER TO RELEASE RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS.

Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov created a sensation yesterday when he ordered an unidentified field commander to release the Russian TV crew which has been held hostage in Chechnya since March. Maskhadov’s surprise order indicated that he knows the identity of the kidnappers. Unconfirmed reports say that the Army of General Dudaev, led by Salman Raduev, is responsible. (ORT, June 10) Maskhadov said he would give the kidnappers three days to free the hostages; after that, he will order the Chechen security forces to effect their release by force.

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