BTW, the military just declared "final victory" in Chechnya.
Chris Doss The Russia Journal ---------------------------
The Times (UK) JANUARY 10 2002 Turkey changes line on Chechen rebels FROM CLEM CECIL IN MOSCOW
TURKEY may extradite the Chechen propagandist and Islamic fundamentalist Movladi Udugov to Russia, which accuses him of armed rebellion. In a shift of policy, Turkey, formerly sympathetic to the separatists in Chechnya, yesterday requested the dossier against Mr Udugov, the former Chechen Prime Minister, that Moscow prepared almost two years ago. In recent months he has been seen in Pakistan and Afghanistan where, according to Russian television, he may have met Osama bin Laden.
A Russian presidental aide, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, said that Turkey’s decision could shortly lead to Mr Udugov’s arrest, although he admitted that Mr Udugov might not be there. The Russian Interpol department had sent extradition notices to all the countries where he might be hiding; in recent days he had been seen in a Gulf state, he said.
Mr Udugov ran for Chechnya’s presidency in 1996. It is believed that his campaign was financed with Saudi money.
In the 1994-1996 RussianChechen war he told the world of Chechnya’s plight: it was said that Moscow had lost the information war to him. He told the West that fundamentalism would increase if the world did not back Chechnya.
Yesterday Turkey refused to comment on the decision to consider his extradition. However, since September 11 it has made clear that it supports the international war against terrorism, being the first country to offer to send Muslim peacekeepers to Afghanistan. Chechnya is increasingly connected to international terrorism.
Mr Yastrzhembsky said yesterday that “a new wind is blowing, and Turkey is beginning to understand the reasons for the conflict in Chechnya. Members of international terrorist organisations, including Chechen terrorists, are welcome in fewer countries.”
The present Russian-Chechen war is in its third year. Yesterday one of the biggest engagements for months was completed by Russian Special Forces. Acting on intelligence that terrorist attacks were planned for New Year’s Eve, federal forces conducted operations in four areas of the republic culminating in the blockade of Argun. Russia says that rebel losses total 92, including two leaders, with five Russian soldiers lost. The rebels say that they have lost no fighters but that more than 50 Russian troops were killed.