After consulting with the heads of the Chechen executive and legislative authorities, Mr Putin determined to set the Chechen presidential election for October 5, 2003. He stressed that he was counting on the Chechen Administration, Government and State Council to do their utmost to make the elections as transparent, impartial and democratic as possible. Only a man enjoying extensive public support would have sufficient influence to normalise the situation, he said.
He said that he had instructed the Emergencies Ministry to help refugees who wanted to return to Chechnya, and told the republic’s leaders that it was necessary to tackle social problems—pay welfare to families with young children and compensation for lost accommodation.
The meeting was attended by Akhmat Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Administration, Chechen Prime Minister Anatoly Popov and State Council Chairman Husein Isayev.