Speaking in the name of the National Antiterrorism Center, Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Nikolai Patrushev called upon Chechen resistance fighters on July 15 to lay down their arms and begin talks with the federal or pro-Moscow Chechen authorities. He pledged that those who do surrender will be guaranteed \"a fair and objective appraisal\" of their activities as members of \"illegal armed formations.\" Patrushev claimed that the majority of resistance fighters have already capitulated, and that some have joined the Chechen police force while others have been elected to the pro-Moscow Chechen parliament. He said nothing and no one can prevent the ongoing strengthening of stability and security in Chechnya and the North Caucasus as a whole. Ingushetian President Murat Zyazikov hailed Patrushev\'s initiative later on July 15, saying it will expedite the \"consolidation of society.\" Also on July 15, pro-Moscow Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov told journalists in Gudermes that he would have extended the deadline for militants to surrender until September 1. Kadyrov said that the resistance leaders have been \"practically destroyed\" and that only \"young men who have been duped by international terrorists\" remain. (RFE/RL)