PUTIN MEETS WITH SELEZNEV
Independent Television, Segodnya, November 6, 1999, 22:00
On November 6 Prime Minster Vladimir Putin met with Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev. They discussed the budget, the prospects of ratification of the Russian-Belorussian treaty, and some other issues. After the meeting Gennady Seleznev stated that the Duma supports the policy of the government in the Caucasus.
CHECHNYA TO REMAIN A PART OF RUSSIA
Independent Television, Segodnya, November 6, 1999, 19:00
Prime Minster Vladimir Putin met on November 6 with journalists and made several important statements. Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian White House is restoring its influence and is turning into a center of power in Russia; dismissals of the government are now in the past.
The first important issue on the agenda of the government is the operation of the Federal Forces in Chechnya. It has turned out that the government does not think that an assault on Grozny is out of the question, if it is necessary.
Vladimir Putin: We will do our best to avoid an assault. I think we do not need it. We will try to solve the tasks using other means. But the aim of the operation is the same – to exterminate Chechen terrorists and their bases.
Question: Does this mean that the Federal Forces may attack Grozny?
VP: I do not think it is out of the question, but we do not want it and do not plan it.
Vladimir Putin adheres to a resolute position regarding Chechnya. He stated: “Chechnya has always been a subject of the Russian Federation.”
Moscow is looking for representatives of Chechnya with whom it may start a dialogue regarding mutual coexistence. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Russian government decided to release from jail former Mayor of Grozny Beslan Gantamirov.
Vladimir Putin stated that he does not know anything about a possible proposal to Gantamirov to head the government of Chechnya, but the prime minister thinks that it is possible. He confirmed the decision of the government to establish visa requirements for Georgia and Azerbaijan. He said that it is a temporary measure, taken in order to prevent Chechen guerrillas from penetrating Russia. After the end of the Chechen campaign the borders will be open again.
VLADIMIR PUTIN MEETS WITH MINISTERS
Independent Television, Segodnya, November 6, 1999, 19:00
Prime Minster Vladimir Putin held a meeting on November 6 with Emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu, Minister for the Affairs of the Press and Media Mikhail Lesin, and Director of the Federal Migration Service Vladimir Kalamanov. The latter three have returned from their trip to the North Caucasus. The issue concerned the problem of forced immigrants. The ministers discussed with Vladimir Putin the possibility of returning refugees to Chechen regions controlled by the Federal Forces.
