The Russia Journal Daily::Chechen president unaware of Chechens' involvement in events in Uzbekistan

## Chechen president unaware of Chechens' involvement in events in Uzbekistan June 03, 2005 Posted: 16:10 Moscow time (12:10 GMT) PUSHKIN — Chechen President Alu Alkhanov is unaware of Chechens' involvement in the events in Uzbekistan. "I do not know of any facts of Chechens' presence or involvement in this conflict," he said. On May 13, insurgents seized a prison and a number of administrative buildings in Uzbekistan's fourth largest city Andizhan. The Uzbek law-enforcers liberated the buildings later. According to official information, 173 people were killed during the riots. "There is no 'Chechen trail' in Uzbekistan. I do not deny that there may be Chechens in the country but I know that they have nothing to do with the Chechen Republic and the Chechen people," Alkhanov said. Yesterday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia had information about Chechen terrorists' involvement in the events in Uzbekistan. "We have information that a number of Islamic extremists, units of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the remains of the Taliban and some Chechen terrorists were involved in the events in Uzbekistan", Lavrov said. "We are checking this information and want to establish dialog with those who have something to say on these issues," he added. RIA Novosti Source URL: http://www.russiajournal.com/news/cnews-article.shtml?nd=48281