Acting Chechen President Calls For New Economic Strategy

Chechnya's newly appointed acting president, Ramzan Kadyrov, has called for a new economic strategy to reduce the republic's financial dependence on Moscow, RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service reports.

Kadyrov made the announcement today at the start of a three-day forum in Grozny devoted to improving living standards in the war-ravaged republic.

Kadyrov said Chechnya needs to develop its own economy, in particular its oil sector. He vowed to complete Grozny's reconstruction by 2008.

The forum also explored ways to clear Chechnya of mines.

Dozens of economists, political analysts, and reporters have flown from Moscow to attend the forum.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org