Russia stages an election in Chechnya on Sunday in a fresh bid to end a bloody conflict that dates from the tsars. The vote for Chechen president is central to Kremlin plans to keep hold of the rebel region while undermining a separatist armed resistance that makes almost daily claims on Russian soldiers' lives. In the three years until last December alone, 4,572 Russian forces have been killed and more than 15,000 wounded, according to the defence ministry. Akhmad Kadyrov is Moscow's appointed leader in Chechnya. He is poised for victory after all of his major rivals were encouraged to pull out or be disqualified. A former clergyman, he fought for the Chechen fighters during the first war in the 1990's. Now his opponents and the press accuse him of maintain a large militia more powerful than the Russian forces. Many international observers are staying away because of the high level of violence. But for some Chechens, the poll lacks credibility because of the Kremlin's candidate and the lack of other choices. Results from March's referendum show 80 percent in favor of Russian rule. But many foreign commentators think it matters little whether the election is seen as legitimate or not since the rebels do not recognize it and pledge to fight on regardless. Sooner or later, Moscow will have to talk to them if it wants to establish a lasting peace. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with the Kremlin-backed acting President of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov aboard Putin's plane while flying back to Russia from the United States, early Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003. (AP Photo/ ITAR-TASS/ Presidential Press Service)