TALK OF NEGOTIATIONS EMPHATICALLY DENIED.

TALK OF NEGOTIATIONS EMPHATICALLY DENIED.

On July 26, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Anatoly Kvashnin, vigorously refuted rumors circulating within Russia concerning the existence of “negotiations with the Chechen separatists.” Kvashnin noted that he had met with Vladimir Putin just two days previously and had mentioned to the president the existence of such rumors. According to Kvashnin, Putin instructed him: “Tell everyone: There are no behind-the-scenes negotiations going on” (Lenta.ru, July 26).