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President Putin: In Chechnya We Have Done what Chechen People Wanted

MOSCOW, December 24. 'In Chechnya we have done what the people wanted.
Preparations are under way for a referendum and a Chechen Ministry of
Internal Affairs is being created,' Vladimir Putin has announced.
According to the president's press office, this announcement was made on
Monday, December 23, at a meeting with Presidential Envoy on Human
Rights in Chechnya Abdul-Hakim Sultygov. The main topic of discussion
was preparation for the referendum.
As Mr Sultygov said, Chechens will have the first opportunity in 150
years to choose their own government. 'The Chechen people are excited
about using their legal right to vote and choose the form of government
in the republic,' said Mr Sultygov. The president was interested to know
what else could be done to prepare the republic for the referendum.


KamAZ Truck Producer Fast Entering Iraqi Market, yet Prepared for Losses


NIZHNY NOVGOROD, December 25. The administration of the KamAZ automobile
plant is prepared for complications that may result from the possible
war in Iraq early next year. This is according to Ildar Khalikov, KamAZ'
Deputy General Director responsible for finances. Mr. Khalikov said that
'Having been fast entering the Iraqi market, KamAZ' sales department
sold 2,500 vehicles in 2002. Sales plans for 2003 are conservative,
taking into account the possible interruption of the shipping of
trucks'. However, the administration of the plant hopes that there may
be no military action against Iraq.
According to the plant's press service, KamAZ hopes to offset its
possible losses in case of a war in Iraq by extending its sales
elsewhere, including to new clients. Vietnam and Kazakhstan will remain
the leading buyers of KamAZ vehicles. China's economy developing
steadily, that country also may become a market for the sale of the
trucks. However, there KamAZ will encounter competition on the part of
Western producers. Mr. Khalikov concluded by saying that 'Despite
exceptionally complicated market conditions, KamAZ concludes this year
with a positive balance'. The net profit of the company, in 2002, may
amount to USD 2.4 million.

Interior Minister: 145 Petroleum Thieves Indicted in Chechnya in 2002

MOSCOW, December 25. In 2002, in Chechnya, 145 were indicted for
stealing crude oil and petroleum products. This is according to the
statement made today at a press conference by Alexander Chekalin, the
Minister of Interior of the Russian Federation. Mr. Chekalin said that,
during special operations, 42 mini oil refineries had been found and
destroyed, 64 vehicles illegally transporting petroleum products
detained, and 240 taps into pipelines stopped. He noted that a total of
156 tonnes of crude oil, engine fuel and lubricants had been
confiscated.