51.   Chechens consider their southern republic to be independent, but Moscow insists it is still part of Russia.

52.   Chechens consider their southern republic to be independent, but Moscow insists it remains part of Russia.

53.   Chechen anti-aircraft guns fell silent Wednesday after ammunition ran low, allowing Russian jets to bomb the capital of the breakaway southern republic in early morning raids.

54.   Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev vowed Tuesday never to surrender and warned of civil war in the southern republic should he relinquish command of the rebellion against Russia.

55.   Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov gave sole jurisdiction to Islamic courts in June, saying only they were capable of ending lawlessness in the southern republic.

56.   Chechnya, a southern republic which last fall defeated Russian troops in a two-year war for independence, has been plagued by crime.

57.   Despite the end of the war, the southern Muslim republic has been awash in kidnappings and other crime.

58.   Despite the end of war in Chechnya, the breakaway southern republic and the surrounding territories are plagued by criminal gangs blamed for kidnappings and other crimes.

59.   Despite an uneasy truce declared weeks ago, nightly skirmishes continue to rock the southern republic.

60.   Despite peace talks and the military accord, nightly clashes have continued in the southern republic.