SOCHI, March 26, 2004 (RIA Novosti correspondent) - There are about 2,000 hot spots in Russia, which may erupt into conflicts, Russian President Vladimir Putin said closing the conference of the Public Forum of the Caucasus and southern Russian people.
According to him, the situation in the North Caucasus has been improving lately, including in the Ossetian-Ingush conflict (caused by the territorial claims of the Ingush side for the outskirts of the North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz).
Mr. Putin said he had talked to Ingush President Murat Zyazikov who briefed him on the nearly solved problem of Chechen refugees in his republic.
According to the Russian leader, about 3,000 out of 80,000 Chechen refugees are remaining in the republic. "This makes a huge difference, but it is still a lot. These are specific people with the problems that we should help them address," Mr. Putin said, adding, "we can see a positive trend which should be consolidated."
