MOSCOW, November 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's military losses in Chechnya have been steadily on the decline, foreign ministry spokesman said Monday.

"In 2000, the losses were 1,397 men, in 2002 - 485 men, and in 2004 - only 161," Mikhail Kamynin told Deutschland Radio. "We hope there will be even fewer losses this year."

The Chechen Interior Ministry has about 17,000 personnel in addition to the 42nd rifle brigade, which numbers about 15,000 and is deployed at the Khankala military base near the Chechen capital of Grozny.

"There will be no reduction of the federal military contingent before parliamentary elections in the republic," the diplomat said. "Although, the number of temporary duty personnel could be reduced after the election."

He also said the situation in the republic had been returning to normal over the last 3-4 years and the number of federal troops had been halved.

"Those who claim the opposite either are not familiar with the situation in the republic or simply refuse to see positive changes," Kamynin concluded.