RUSSIAN-CHECHEN NEGOTIATIONS RESUME; TITLE OF PEACE AGREEMENT STILL A STUMBLING BLOCK.

Russian and Chechen delegations led by Security Council secretary Ivan Rybkin and Chechen acting first vice-premier Movladi Udugov began negotiations in Nazran, capital of Ingushetia, on March 29. The draft peace agreement between Russia and Chechnya and an intergovernmental agreement on economic questions are on the agenda; the two sides may also discuss the fate of the four Russian journalists still being held captive in Chechnya. (Interfax, March 29)

Negotiations between Moscow and Djohar-gala have reached a dead end. The stumbling block is not the content of the document, but its title. In the opinion of the Russian representatives, Moscow simply cannot sign a peace treaty with a Federation subject. A formula acceptable to both sides has not yet been found. In any case, Igor Ignatiev, the Russian Security Council’s press secretary, has told the Monitor that Moscow intends to sign documents with the Chechen side only after the Security Council session planned for this week, at which there will be a detailed discussion of the draft agreement with Djohar-gala.

Chechnya Concerned Over Military Exercises.