31.   During peace negotiations that took place in August, Chechen separatists demanded a total withdrawal of Russian troops from the breakaway republic before elections could take place.

32.   The Russians will stay in the area, no complete and unconditional withdrawal has been agreed -- as the separatists were demanding -- and a referendum has been refused.

33.   Separatists are demanding independence for Chechnya while Yeltsin has offered a greater degree of autonomy within the Russian Federation.

34.   The decree did not mention a deadline for the pull-out, but the separatists have demanded that it be completed by the January elections.