GROZNY. Oct 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Rumors that Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov plans to surrender to the Russian authorities cannot be confirmed or denied, Alexander Potapov, deputy head of the Russian Federal Security Service's (FSB) Chechen branch, told Interfax on Friday.
Chechen First Deputy Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov said earlier on Friday that Maskhadov may be seeking contacts with the Russian authorities to negotiate conditions for his surrender.
"Even more dramatic rumors of Maskhadov's readiness to fight Basayev (separatist field commander Shamil Basayev - Interfax) are being spread, but we do not have transcripts of telephone conversations or any other evidence that would confirm or refute them," Potapov said.
Asked about Maskhadov's whereabouts, he said that intelligence reports suggest that Maskhadov is in Chechnya. He said, however, that separatists are planning to hold a meeting of their parliament in Strasbourg and Maskhadov could possibly go there.
"This possibility cannot be ruled out even though he has been placed on the international wanted list," Potapov said.