September 4, 2006 -- The pro-Russian president of Chechnya has proposed changing the name of Russia's southern republic.
Alu Alkhanov said the current name has a negative connotation.
He said he has instructed the region's information and press minister to begin meeting with experts and representatives of public organizations to search for a new name.
Alkhanov said one possibility is to rename Chechnya the Republic of Nokhchiin.
(Interfax, AP)