61.  Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov has declared the breakaway Russian region an Islamic state, the Anatolia news agency said Wednesday.

62.  Chechen rebels continued their stinging raids on Russian troops on Wednesday, as President Boris Yeltsin was gearing for a trip to the breakaway region.

63.  Chechen anti-aircraft guns fall silent Wednesday for lack of ammunition, allowing Russian jets to bomb the capital of the breakaway region with impunity.

64.  Chechen authorities found the remains of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village in the breakaway region in southern Russia.

65.  Chechen authorities found the decapitated remains of four kidnapped foreigners today near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia.

66.  Chechen authorities found the decapitated heads of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia.

67.  Chechen authorities found the decapitated remains of four kidnapped foreigners Tuesday near a remote village after a two-month search in the breakaway region in southern Russia.

68.  Chechen authorities were searching Sunday for two British aid workers who were kidnapped, the latest in a series of abductions in the breakaway region.

69.  Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov is personally heading a campaign to destroy gangs blamed for a wave of kidnappings in the breakaway region, officials said Tuesday.

70.  Chechen rebels battled Russian forces in fierce fighting Wednesday in the capital of the breakaway region.