Russian President Vladimir Putin has marked Constitution Day with a promise of a referendum for Chechnya. Under a new draft constitution the breakaway republic will be defined as part of Russia. At a speech in Moscow, Putin unveiled the plans. It is not yet clear if the mainly Muslim region will be given any autonomy. Parliamentary and Presidential elections are to be held sometime in the New Year. On a daily basis scores of Russian soldiers and Chechen rebels and civilians are killed in the war between both sides. Putin has been widely criticised for refusing to negotiate with Chechen leaders, described by the Kremlin as "bandits" and "terrorists."

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