Envoy urges West to push Putin into peace talks with Chechnya

CHECHEN envoy Akhmed Zakayev said yesterday he fears there will be further massacres in his homeland if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not hold peace talks with the region’s political parties.

Speaking in the wake of the Beslan school massacre, he called on western governments to urge Mr Putin to begin negotiations.

"Putin's policy has not only not stabilised Chechnya but has brought about a worsening of the situation.