President Putin says he will give Chechnya lots of autonomy. What he doesn't say is how much he can expect the Chechens to use their autonomy to put down the Islamic and nationalist rebels there. If the pro-Russian Chechens cannot handle their rebellious brethren, the Russian army will bear down again.

In Chechnya, two medical doctors were found dead in a car, both shot in the head. Rebels were suspected as being responsible. The rebels feel that by shutting down services like hospitals, more people will join the fight against the Russians. This is not happening, and the majority want peace at just about any price. In another attack, four soldiers were killed.