text: U.S. lauds Russian-Chechen deal . WASHINGTON 1996-08-27 The United States on Tuesday welcomed a deal aimed at resuming a troop withdrawal from the embattled Chechen capital , Grozny . " That is a welcome development . We urge both sides to continue their dialogue aimed at reaching a political settlement " of the 20-month conflict between Russian troops and Chechen rebels , State Department spokesman Glyn Davies said . The commander of Russian troops in Chechnya , Vyacheslav Tikhomirov , and Chechen rebel chief-of-staff Aslan Mashadov signed the deal under which the troop withdrawal is to resume on Wednesday .