December 26, 2000

Amidst rumors and new stories of secret Chechen negotiations, the government has announced that it desires such negotiations. Even the Russian army commander in Chechnya admits that negotiations would be desirable. In Chechnya, Russia claims to have killed senior rebel leader Aslanbek Didiyev. Russia has also activated a third regiment of ten Topol-M ICBMs. The 47 ton Topol-M has had six successful tests and is to be the backbone of Russias future ICBM force.