Pro-Moscow Chechens plan future

Officials fear terrorist acts in the capital Grozny

A congress of pro-Moscow Chechens to discuss the future of the war-torn republic has opened in its second city, Gudermes, after being moved from the capital Grozny for security reasons.

Kadyrov says he will run for president

The deputy mayor of Grozny, Supian Makhchayev, was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying that the venue was changed because of fears of terrorist acts by separatist rebels.

Almost 400 delegates - who include elders and government officials - have been discussing a draft constitution as well as bills for future elections.

The constitution is to be voted on at a referendum next March, and will be followed by presidential and parliamentary elections.

The head of Chechnya's pro-Russian administration, Akhmad Kadyrov, said he would run for the presidency.

He added that the republic was ready for "democratic procedures".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of support to the conference, saying that the forum will help to normalise the situation in Chechnya.

Putin: The forum will help to normalise the situation

But critics such as Russia's Union of Right Forces leader Boris Nemtsov say the conference would only become a starting point for change if it were to consider peace talks with the rebels, an idea rejected by Mr Kadyrov.

The delegates adopted an appeal stating that Chechnya is "inalienable part of Russia".

They were handed 1,000 copies of the draft constitution to circulate in their communities.