MR BORIS Yeltsin told an interviewer that Russia's problem with Chechnya was "similar" to the Northern Ireland situation, although he did not elaborate, writes Seamus Martin.
He said on television that he was prepared to offer Chechnya more independence than was enjoyed by any other republic in the Russian Federation. Mr Yeltsin also claimed that the Chechen rebel leader, Gen Dudayev, had indicated he was prepared to enter peace talks.
The main points of his address to the Russian people were:
Russian troops would cease military activities in Chechnya and would be withdrawn from "calm areas" of the region. "Federal forces have begun a phased withdrawal from calm areas of Chechnya to its administrative frontier."
Terrorist acts would meet an adequate response from Russian forces, but this response would not "replace the political decisions involved in the plan for resolving the crisis".
"Free and democratic elections" would be held to "represent the whole population of Chechnya" and these would be preceded by a "peaceful political forum of representatives" from all Chechnya's districts as well as representatives of the Russian Federation.
Talks would take place on Chechnya's status within the Russian Federation over the coming months provided there was peace and stability in the region.
. Chechen rebels poured scorn on the peace plan and the deadline Mr Yeltsin gave them for an end to their offensive passed with continued fighting reported. As Mr Yeltsin spoke Russian helicopter guns hips and planes bombed the village of Goiskoye.