(2 Mar 2000) Russian/Nat
Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed any chance of a negotiated end to Russia's war in Chechnya.
Answering questions during a visit to a Russian space centre on Thursday, Putin accused Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov of being responsible for hostage taking and crime in the Caucasian republic.
Putin called for his interrogation by Russian prosecutors.
His comments were in response to statement made by Maskhadov when he contacted a Moscow radio station by phone and urged Russia to sit down at the negotiating table.
Maskhadov claims Russian military leaders are deceiving Putin about the true state of the campaign in Chechnya, saying rebel fighters still dominate control of the southern mountains.
The Russian army claims it's on the verge of completing its five month campaign in Chechnya, having raised the Russian flag over the town of Shatoi, the Chechen fighters' last urban stronghold.
However Putin brushed aside Maskhadov's plea for peace talks, saying there was direct evidence linking the Chechen leader to hostage taking.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Mr Maskhadov declared he was ready to hand over foreign hostages. He was talking about two Polish women and a French citizen, and this conversation (with "a European leader") took place several times, in any case not just once. This means Mr Maskhadov controls the hostages criminally seized for ransom."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Putin, Acting Russian President
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Before starting negotiations on political issues, criminal issues need to be resolved. In general we are prepared to cooperate and negotiate with any people who have an interest in a political solution in Chechnya."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Putin, Acting Russian President
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