11.   The Chechens are among the best traders in the Caucasus region, born of necessity from the Russian economic blockade imposed on the republic before the conflict began.

12.   The rebels insist their retreat from Grozny strengthened their position by freeing them from the Russian blockade and allowing them more mobility to wage a guerrilla war.

13.   Chechnya is caught in an ever-tightening Russian blockade.

14.   The Russian blockade has also taught Chechens a painful lesson about economic interdependence.

15.   Previously, he said, opposition fighters raided merchants bringing goods into Chechnya, which is under a Russian economic blockade.