GROZNY. March 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Chechen guerrillas have serious financial problems, the Regional Operational Headquarters in charge of the anti-guerrilla operation in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
Due to financial constraints Chechen rebels are now trying to find additional sources of financial support as well as to improve control over funds they possess now.
Serious frictions have been registered in rebel gangs. A conflict between field commander Barayev and an Abu Bakar, warlord Khattab's representative in the so-called commission operating in Azerbaijan, is still underway, its subject matter being accounts for funds provided to Barayev by Abu Bakar. Financial support for Barayev's gang has been reduced by three times due to absence of such accounts.
Mokhmad Aldamov, a supporter of Chechen guerillas, is now based in Georgia trying to restore channels of financial support provided by the Chechen Diaspora in the United States. With this end in view Aldamov contacted a Khamid, permanent resident of the United States, and suggested the latter should transfer a certain sum to the account of a Tbilisi bank. Yet representatives of the Chechen Diaspora in the U.S. expressed their dissatisfaction with the disappearance of the previous financial and material transfers sent to Georgia for subsequent dispatch to Chechen guerillas; they demanded guarantees that the funds would be used to support Chechen guerillas.