MOSCOW, Feb 3: Chechnya's Russian-backed government on Thursday dismissed a rebel cease fire declaration, saying it was a publicity stunt that could not be trusted.

But analysts said the offer from rebel leaders Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev suggested they were responding to an increasingly strong desire in faraway Moscow to end a war that has started to infect much of the North Caucasus.

"The Chechen government is open to any attempt to bring peace to our people," a spokesman quoted pro-Moscow Chechen President Alu Alkhanov as saying. "But as regards Maskhadov and Basayev, they have never fulfilled the responsibilities they have adopted. This is just another attempt to draw attention to themselves."

Kremlin officials did not comment, and the General Prosecutor rapidly announced new criminal charges against the two men. Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently rejected the idea of talks with people he calls terrorists.

But analysts said he might be more open to peace overtures after fierce battles in three regions outside Chechnya in the last month. "There are people around Putin who are suggesting it is time to end the Chechen war," said Alexei Malashenko, a security analyst from the Carnegie Centre. "Maskhadov and Basayev could see this is a favourable time for such an approach." -Reuters