1.   But it is unclear whether the Chechen leadership can control its ragged forces spread across the foothills of the tiny mountain republic.

2.   But it was unclear whether the Chechen leadership could control its ragged forces ranged across the foothills of the southern republic.

3.   It was unclear whether the Chechen leadership could control its ragged forces ranged across the foothills of the southern republic.

4.   It was unclear, however, whether the Chechen leadership could control its ragged forces ranged across the foothills of the southern republic.