15.01.2004
Chechenpress News Agency reports that President Aslan Maskhadov convened a meeting in Shatoi District on 11 January 2004 of mid level field commanders and officers responsible for operations behind enemy lines. The meeting is also participated by the chiefs of intelligence structures of the Chechen Armed Forces. Each commander participating in the meeting directly reported to the President and Commander-in-Chief on condition of the reserve military bases, about the stock of ammunitions, military equipment and foodstuff, about functioning of the special educational center on preparation of personnel. Special attention is given to the necessity of strengthening of the counterintelligence activity.
(Agency Caucasus)

President Maskhadov awards Chechen fighters

15.01.2004
Ichkeria.dk Internet edition reported that a ceremony of decorating Chechen fighters with Medals of Valor was held at one of the Chechen bases in Vedeno District of Chechnya. Commander-In-Chief of Chechen Armed Forces Aslan Maskhadov awarded the fighters of the Presidential Guard with Medals and Decorations for the valor in the recent battles near the village of Shuany, Nozhai-Yurt District of Chechnya. In this connection the edition reminded that President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov took active part in the battle near the mountain village of Shuany. The Order of Commander-In-Chief of Chechen Armed Forces Aslan Maskhadov was announced during the decoration ceremony on posthumously awarding the Chechen Commanders Yahya Tasuyev, native of Geldygen and Shirvani Eskerkhanov, native of Gekhi, who were brutally killed by the Russian military criminals.
(Agency Caucasus)

15.01.2004
Chechenpress News Agency reports that a group of Chechen fighters from Munayev's unit carried out a successful operation on 10 January to eliminate four FSB, the Russian Secret Service agents in Grozny, the capital city of Chechnya. The killed FSB officers, Capt Fedorchuk, Lt Kovalev, Lt Shutin and Lt Nesterenko, had been sent to Chechnya from Rostov Region. Documents of interest to the Chechen military command are discovered on the Russian military criminals.
(Agency Caucasus)

15.01.2004
Russian servant intends to ask Saudi Arabia's leaders not to give any support to Chechen Resistance Forces and prevent financial and other aid. Russian propaganda tool will also tell Saudis that the Russian military criminal activity is not intended to the People of Chechnya. The Russian propaganda tool will tell the audience that not a war against Moslems is being waged in Chechnya. For this purpose, the delegation includes religious figures of Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan. Russian servant will also tell them that there are more than 400 mosques in Chechnya now, that there are two Islamic institutes, and the Arabic language is studied at schools, i.e. not a war against Moslems and Chechens in particular. Kadyrov team is in Saudi Arabia from January 14 to 18.
(Agency Caucasus)

15.01.2004
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Georgia, Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini said today that the Abkhaz side expressed willingness to renew talks with the Georgian side. "Abkhaz side is ready to hold talks with the Georgian side without any conditions," Heidi Tagliavini said after the meeting with Interim President Nino Burjanadze on January 15. Ambassador Tagliavini visited Abkhazia's capital Sukhum on January 13, where she held meetings with the representatives of the Abkhaz side over resumption of talks between the conflicting sides. Earlier on January 8 Vice President of Abkhazia Valeri Arshba said peace agreement with Georgia, which would prevent resumption of hostilities in the region, would be a favorable foundation for beginning of talks with Georgia's new leadership. He also said that disbanding of "the gangs and armed groups that are committing terrorist acts and sabotage in Abkhazia" would have a positive impact on the peace process and "build mutual trust."
(Agency Caucasus)

15.01.2004
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, said at a news briefing today after the meeting with Georgian Interim President Nino Burjanadze that EU is willing to send its peacekeepers to Georgia to help in resolving Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts. "In order to have peacekeeping operation by the European Union we need a mandate by the United Nations. So it will be necessary the resolution of the Security Council. We are willing to do that if these conditions are met," Javier Solana said. Political analysts in Georgia cast doubts over the European peacekeepers involvement in the Georgian conflict zones, as Russia, which has its peacekeepers deployed in Abkhazia since 1994, will veto the proposal at the UN Security Council.
(Agency Caucasus)