A Chechen Separatist Intends To Say Farewell To Arms

Akhmed Zakaev, one of the field commanders of Chechen separatists, has asked for a meeting in Moscow to discuss a procedure for disarming militants in Chechnya and start of a new life for them. He passed the message to Victor Kazantsev, Russian presidential envoy in the southern federal district, Kazantsev reports on Wednesday. He said that on Wednesday Zakaev called him on telephone and asked for a meeting. Zakaev did so "after drawn-out hesitation and coordinations", said Kazantsev. To him, a meeting with Zakaev is due in the next few days. The envoy's staff will immediately inform the media of its results. Kazantsev said he welcomes and approves of this step.