BEHIND THE SHOWMANSHIP, RUSSIA'S LEBED HAS A BOLD PLAN

摘要

Russia's national security chief, Alexander I. Lebed, sprang from his helicopter in the Chechen village of Noviye Atagi on Aug. 24 primed to resume peace talks with rebel leaders. When told that Chechen negotiator Asian Maskhadov had not yet arrived, Lebed proposed a chess match to pass the time. Soon, he was setting up a chessboard, placing the white pieces on his side. But at the last second, in full view of journalists, he gallantly turned the board around to give his Chechen opponent the first move.