In Chechnya, the army began another sweep around Argun. The army is getting criticism because many of the young men picked up in these sweeps are apparently being murdered by the army or police. The government is reluctant to put many restrictions on the troops in Chechnya as long as the rebels are still active. This is nothing new, it was this bloody minded attitude that enabled the Russians to conquer and subdue the place in the first place. Many Russians would prefer that Russia simply leave the Chechens to their own devices. But as long as radical Moslems and kidnapping gangs continue to operate in Chechnya, the government will continue fighting, at least as long as public support stays high.