11.   But Moscow insists the breakaway republic remains part of Russia, and has shown no intention of backing down.

12.   But Moscow insists the republic remains part of Russia, and has shown no intention of backing down.

13.   But Moscow insists the republic remains part of Russia.

14.   But Russian leaders and legislators have since criticized the provision as too vague and dangerous and insisted that the separatist republic remain part of Russia.

15.   But the Kremlin insists the republic remains part of Russia.

16.   Chechnya considers itself an independent country, but Moscow insists the republic remains part of Russia.

17.   Chechnya says it already is independent, but Moscow insists the breakaway republic remains a part of Russia.

18.   Despite a peace agreement signed by the government and the main Islamic opposition groups last summer to end a long civil war, the former Soviet republic remains restive.

19.   Despite a peace agreement with Russia, the mountainous republic has remained restive.

20.   Despite the end of the two-year war between Russia and Chechnya, the southern Muslim republic has remained awash in kidnappings and other crime.