Video RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GRACHEV AND DUDAYEV HOLD TALKS

Russian/Nat


The Russian Defence Minister Pavel Grachev has held talks with the leader of the separatist Chechen republic, Dzhokhar Dudayev.


The meeting, in the neighbouring region of Ingushetia, comes after Russia admitted backing rebels who want to overthrow Dudayev and the capture of 70 Russian soldiers in Chechnya.


The Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev flew into the Caucus Mountain region as General Grachev arrived by helicopter from Moscow.


Dudayev, a former Soviet air force pilot, was surrounded by dozens of security guards as he arrived for talks to resolve the crisis.


Moscow has accused Dudayev of allowing his republic to become a haven for criminals and fomenting unrest in the region.


Dudayev has said for months that Moscow is arming and leading rebels, trying to topple him.


Moscow sealed its borders with the breakaway republic on Monday, after bombing its airfields.


The agenda for today's talks was not clear, but Dudayev has said Chechen independence was not negotiable.


Chechnya declared independence from Russia in 1991, but Moscow never recognised the move.


Grachev came out of the meeting saying nothing.


Dudayev was greeted by a cheering crowd.


SOUNDBITE:

(There won't be war will there?) Of course there won't be war. A political solution expect a political solution. ( Do you want to meet Yeltsin?) You know, even though I have no desire to meet him , necessity will force me to do so.

SUPER CAPTION: Dzhokar Dudayev, Chechen President


Dudayev has now returned to the Chechen capital of Grozny, where a delegation of Russian politicians says he's agreed to let them swap places with Russian soldiers.


Gregor Yavlinsky who's leading the delegation says the aim is to stop possible Russian intervention.


But Chechen authorities said no immediate decision about the swap had been made.




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