Putin orders Chechen referendum

Russian President Vladimir Putin today ordered a constitutional referendum to be held in Chechnya, hoping it will help bring peace and stability to the war-ravaged region.

Critics argue that it is meaningless without a resolution to the war, now in its fourth year.

Putin signed a decree giving the Moscow-backed Chechen administration a month to work out the steps necessary to finance and organise the referendum, and promises them all the necessary help from Russia’s Central Election Commission.

The referendum would ask Chechens to approve a draft constitution and bills on electing the republic’s president and parliament.