MASKHADOV RETURNS TO CHECHNYA…

Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov returned to Grozny yesterday, ending a month-long absence that included visits to Turkey, the U.S. and, over the past few days, to Azerbaijan. He expressed satisfaction with his trip, saying he had succeeded in persuading foreign interlocutors that there will be peace in the Caucasus "only when the interests of the Chechen people are taken into account." Back at home, however, Maskhadov faces a renewed confrontation with parliament, which refused three times prior to his departure to grant him additional powers to appoint the government and rule by decree. (ORT, November 24)

…Following Talks with Aliev in Baku.