Chechen leaders called for peace talks, but Russia rejected the offer, saying that Islamic militants would use a cease-fire to rebuild their forces.
There were many western observers who felt that Russia's cited reasons were a ruse.
mnli hypothesis: There were many western observers who felt that Russia's cited reasons were a ruse. premise: Chechen leaders called for peace talks, but Russia rejected the offer, saying that Islamic militants would use a cease-fire to rebuild their forces.