Moscow denounces US contacts with Chechen leader

MOSCOW, (AFP) - The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday denounced contacts between Washington officials and "terrorists" from the breakaway Chechnya province as an "unfriendly" step.

In an angry statement, the ministry claimed that undisclosed Washington officials were planning to host a man it identified as I. Akhmadov, whom it referred to as the unofficial foreign minister of Chechnya.

"We are frankly surprised by how stubbornly ... the American side insists on having meetings with representatives of the Chechen terrorists," the ministry said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear when Akhmadov intended to visit the United States, or where he currently resides.

Russia has been waging an 18-month campaign against the people in Chechnya, which has since degenerated into a bloody guerrilla war.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial troops withdrawal from the republic earlier this month, although the pace of that withdrawal has been incremental so far.