Russian Duma Approves Amnesty to Chechen Fighters.

Russia_s lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved an amnesty Monday for separatist fighters who give up their fight in the breakaway region of Chechnya, and gave them until Feb. 1 to do so. "It is a very important document that you have adopted," Prime Minister Putin told the State Duma after it passed two resolutions introducing the amnesty. The resolutions said rebel fighters should surrender their arms to the Russian military or other authorized officials to become subject to amnesty. The amnesty does not cover fighters who had committed more serious crimes, including murder. In more than two months of military campaign in Chechnya Russia has seized most of the populated lowlands in central and northern Chechnya, except for the regional capital Grozny and an eastern town of Shali. The Russian military say they are focusing now on rooting out rebels from mountainous areas in the south where rebels have a network of bases and enjoy strong support from population. Russia_s military campaign is strongly criticized in the West for disproportionate use of force against civilians. Western nations are pressing Russia to end the fighting in Chechnya and start talks with the Chechens.