RADIATION SOURCE ON OUTSKIRTS OF GROZNY.

Russian specialists have located a powerful source of radiation on the outskirts of Grozny. The strength of the radiation at its epicenter is over 200 roentgens per hour. The dangerous cargo has now been taken away to be buried. It may originally have come from a war-damaged cancer clinic in Grozny. (Segodnya, February 4)

A "radioactive accent" is sounding with increasing frequency in the Russian-Chechen dialogue. Earlier, it took the form of threats, such as Shamil Basaev’s claim during the war to have sent a radioactive container to Moscow. Now Grozny is raising the issue of radioactive material left behind in Chechnya by the Russian army. The Chechen authorities may try to use the issue to wring new subsidies from Moscow.

Latvia’s Inadequate Defense Budget Becoming a Sore Issue.