Putin pays morale-boosting visit to troops

MOSCOW, JAN 1; Russia's acting President Vladimir Putin flew unexpectedly to a Russian-held town in rebel Chechnya early on New Year's day...

MOSCOW, JAN 1; Russia8217;s acting President Vladimir Putin flew unexpectedly to a Russian-held town in rebel Chechnya early on New Year8217;s day to award hunting knives to troops and tell them their main aim was to keep the Russian federation intact.

8220;I want you to know that Russia highly appreciates what you are doing,8221; Putin said in remarks to officers and soldiers broadcast live on television at around 6 am 08.30 hours IST on Saturday from Gudermes, east of the regional capital Grozny. 8220;This is not just about restoring the honour and dignity of Russia,8221; he said, his wife at his side.

8220;It is rather more important than that. It is about putting an end to the break-up of the Russian federation. That is the main task. Russia is grateful to you.8221; Moscow says Chechnya is one of the 89 regions in the Russian federation. Chechnya says it is independent. Itar-tass news agency said Putin handed servicemen hunting knives inscribed with the words 8220;From the chairman of the Government of the Russianfederation8221;, indicating the visit was planned before Boris Yeltsin resigned on Friday and handed power to his Prime Minister.

Asked whether the trip was the start of his election campaign, Putin said the visit had been planned a month ago. The Presidential election is expected to be held on March 26. Putin is by far Russia8217;s most popular politician, largely on the strength of his military campaign against Muslim rebels in Chechnya, a province in the turbulent north Caucasus.

The campaign began three months ago and 100,000 Russian troops now control much of the territory, but not the whole of Grozny or the southern mountains where rebels have strongholds.

8220;I wish you a happy new year,8221; said Putin, flanked by troops and dressed in a thick parka coat. 8220;I wish you happiness, all the very best. May you be healthy and your families well.8221; 8220;We flew for quite a long time. We had to turn back and then complete the journeyy car,8221; he said. 8220;So I8217;m sorry it took so long, but better late than never.8221;