16:07, 7 June 2004

Last refugee camp in Ingushetia closed

The last camp for Chechen refugees in Ingushetia has been closed, Ingushetia's Deputy Prime Minister Magomet Markhiyev reported on Monday, June 7.

"The Satsita camp has ceased to exist. There are no tents there anymore," Mr Markhiyev said.

Most former Satsita residents have already left for Chechnya, he said. He added that "some of them have stayed in Ingushetia, where they have been provided with accommodation and can enjoy living standards better than in the tent camp."

Describing the closure of the tent camps as a sign that stability is being restored in the North Caucasus, the official said that "what counts most is that Chechnya is beginning to live a peaceful life and the refugees are returning home. The North Caucasus is well on the road to stabilization."

Tens of thousands of Chechen refugees are still in Ingushetia. Of them, more than 18,000 live in private houses and another 19,000 in small Chechen-dominated settlements.

Editors note: See also the article "Refugees in Satsita camp receive ultimatum".

Source: Interfax News Agency