A political solution of the conflict

Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Ivanov said on Wednesday after a meeting with French defense officials that Russia "is definitely working on a political solution of the conflict in Chechnya," RIA Novosti news agency reported. However, Ivanov added that, in order to assure the resumption of viable social and economic conditions in the republic, Chechen guerrilla groups need to be annihilated. "Russia is definitely on the path leading to a political regulation of the situation in Chechnya," Ivanov was quoted as saying. He added that Russia "will advance further in this direction, making sure that security requirements and the protection of Chechnya's citizens and Russia's servicemen in the republic are maintained. " Ivanov did not rule out the possibility that special security operations could be conducted against the guerrilla groups. However, he said they should not be confused with full-scale military operations.