111.   The general, who served in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, has been particularly critical of the disastrous campaign to crush independence fighters in Chechnya.

112.   The guerrillas were demanding a withdrawal of Russian troops from neighbouring Chechnya, where independence fighters have been battling Russian forces for more than a year.

113.   The independence fighters showed they are still a serious force to be reckoned with by attacking Russian positions throughout the Chechen capital Grozny last week.