The head of the United Nations refugee agency, Sadako Ogata, has appealed to Russia to improve security for aid workers who are helping the thousands of refugees who have fled the fighting in Chechnya.
Speaking in Moscow after visiting the North Caucasus, Mrs Ogata said that while the UNHCR was anxious to send more staff to the region, kidnapping by armed gangs was still keeping many aid workers away.
In another development, an official of the Chechen government now in exile in Ingushetia, said the rebels were withdrawing in face of the Russian offensive.
But he warned that the rebels would fight a guerrilla war until the last of the Russians had left.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
Country profiles
Violence greets Clinton visit
Russian forces pound Grozny
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Next steps for peace
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Vodafone takeover battle heats up
(From Business)
Trans-Turkish pipeline deal signed
French party seeks new leader
Jube tube debut
Athens riots for Clinton visit
UN envoy discusses Chechnya in Moscow
Solana new Western European Union chief
Moldova's PM-designate withdraws
Chechen government welcomes summit
In pictures: Clinton's violent welcome
Georgia protests over Russian 'attack'
UN chief: No Chechen 'catastrophe'
New arms control treaty for Europe
Mannesmann fights back
(From Business)
EU fraud -- a billion-dollar bill
New moves in Spain's terror scandal
EU allows labelling of British beef
UN seeks more security in Chechnya
Athens riots for Clinton visit
Russia's media war over Chechnya
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Analysis: East-West relations must shift