Chechen State Council's 1st session to take place on June 10th

The 1st session of Chechnya's State Council will take place on June 10th, 2003, Akhmar Zavgayev, representing the Chechen Republic in the Federation Council, said in Moscow on Monday.

According to the official, "the State Council will naturally turn into the upper chamber of the Chechen parliament". The republic's State Council will comprise the heads of Chechen districts' administrations, Zavgayev pointed out.

Speaking about the foundation that had been set up within the framework of anti-terrorist and anti-criminal programmes, Zavgayev stressed that "anonymity will be fully guaranteed to those who will inform law enforcement bodies about a masterminded crime or persons who have committed an illegal action." Rewards for providing information will be granted only after the crime is solved, the senator added.

Confidentiality will be kept in respect of those making contributions to the foundation too, the official said. According to him, funds are being donated to the foundation, however their amount is a "commercial secret".

Since the foundation was established, businessmen, representatives of social movements and natural persons have been proposed to make donations to the organisation to support the fight against terrorism and banditry, the senator reminded those present.