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Chechen PM upbeat about future of region on vote anniversary

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GROZNY, March 20 (RIA Novosti) - Chechnya's new prime minister said Monday that the referendum on a Constitution for the region had laid the foundation for the region's future prosperity, just ahead of the third anniversary of the day the region voted to remain part of Russia.

"Three years have passed since the referendum and the adoption of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic," Ramzan Kadyrov said. "Frankly, it was a difficult period, but we lived successfully through these years of trials and laid a solid legal foundation for future happiness and prosperity in the republic."

"This day [March 23, 2003] could be called historic without exaggeration because we were asked for the first time how we wanted to live," Kadyrov said. "And the Chechen people made its choice - to live as part of the Russian Federation."

Kadyrov expressed hope that the legal provisions established in the Constitution would help the republic resolve pressing social and economic issues that had built up during decades of war and instability.

He also said a free trade zone should be established in the republic.

"Having control over our resources and feeling that we are true masters of our domain would help us take full responsibility for future progress in the republic," Kadyrov said.

Chechnya held a public referendum on a new constitution on March 23, 2003. An overwhelming majority voted to give the republic significant powers of self-determination while remaining under the sovereign authority of the Russian Federation.

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