Russia: May 7, 2004

Archives

In Chechnya, Russia continues to dismantle the enormous security infrastructure it has erected over the last few years. This month, the number of checkpoints in the main city, Grozny, will be reduced from 19 to seven. The violence in Chechnya continues, with several Russian soldiers being killed, and many more wounded, each week. Casualties are heavier among rebels and civilians. More and more control is being turned over to a Chechen government that has shown it is willing to fight the rebels. Unfortunately, the Chechen government is pretty corrupt. But the Russians don't care as long as the pro-Russian Chechen government keeps Islamic radicals and kidnapping gangs out of Russia.