RUSSIA/CHECHNYA: MOVES TO CONSOLIDATE ROLE OF ISLAM STEPPED UP

(26 Oct 1996) Russian/Nat Separatist leaders in the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya have stepped up moves to consolidate the role of Islam in the country following their de facto victory over Russian forces. Following the departure of Russian troops, Chechnya has continued to experience a powerful Islamic revival, including the rise of traditional Sharia law and punishments. And in a public display of ideological fervour Chechen soldiers took to the streets Thursday smashing bottles of vodka in accordance with a nationwide prohibition of alcohol. The fighting might be over but the battle to rebuild Chechen society has only just begun. After two years of war and the departure of Russian troops from Chechen soil the separatist rebels are now in a position to implement one of their most basic principles -- Islam. In the village of Orekhovo the head of the Chechen separatists Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev leads the elders in prayer. Orekhovo was among