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Before the meeting, the Chechen public and religious leaders sent a letter to Mr Putin concerning the prospects of stabilising the situation in the republic and restoring its social and economic infrastructure. The President commented on their proposals and expressed his opinion on the issue.

Mr Putin said an Internal Affairs Ministry would be set up in the republic soon and would receive the key power for providing law and order. If the Chechens take the burden of fighting crime, there will be no need for the interference of other forces, he said.

Noting the need for political settlement in Chechnya, President Putin ruled out any negotiations with the insurgent leader Aslan Maskhadov and his representatives. During the late 1990s, the Russian Government repeatedly showed its goodwill and expressed its readiness to solve the Chechen problem by peaceful means. Maskhadov, verbally supporting the political process, in fact provided help to terrorists and organised militant operations. He was behind the October 23 terrorist attack in Moscow which involved hundreds of hostages, and that put further negotiations out of the question. Those who try to negotiate with Maskhadov will be considered accomplices of the terrorists, Mr Putin said.

The President called upon the Chechen public and religious leaders to show their civic stance to solve the republic’s problems, improve its economy and provide an opportunity for forced migrants to return home. To tackle these challenges, one should search for agreement, attract new supporters of bringing peace to Chechnya and speed up the constitutional process, the President said.

In March-April 2003, the Central Election Commission planned to hold a referendum on the republic’s constitution followed by presidential elections in the republic.