Chechen separatist leader reported to order ceasefire

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

MOSCOW (AFP) — Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has ordered all rebel fighters to observe a ceasefire in their fight against Russian forces, on the breakaway republic's territory as well as beyond its borders, a separatist web site reports.

The ceasefire is valid for the month of February and was ordered as a sign of good will, the kavakazcenter.com web site said, quoting an aide to radical Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev.

Basayev, Russia's most wanted man who last year claimed responsibility for the deadly Beslan school hostage taking, has said he will obey Maskhadov and has ordered units under his command to stop all offensive operations, the web site reported.

"I order all Modzhahedins on the whole territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (the...