DATE=8/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=DAGESTAN SITREP (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253033
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Muslim insurgents say they have withdrawn from
some positions in Russia's Dagestan Republic, but
government air and ground forces continue to pound
several villages in the region. Correspondent Peter
Heinlein reports from Moscow.
TEXT: Russian military officials said jets were
carrying out scores of air strikes on suspected rebel
positions in the mountains of western Dagestan, along
the border with breakaway Chechnya. The officials say
the insurgents are suffering heavy losses, and are
completely encircled by government troops who have
sealed off all escape routes.
In Moscow, President Boris Yeltsin met Dagestan's
leader, Magomedali Magomedov. Russian television
showed Mr. Yeltsin promising swift action to crush the
insurgency.
/// YELTSIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER
///
He says -- Dagestan is our number one priority. Be
aware of that.
But despite the furious government assault, and the
tough rhetoric from Moscow, the Muslim insurgents
remain firmly entrenched in several strategic mountain
villages. A rebel website on the Internet said
(Monday) its fighters had suffered only a few
casualties.
And the Dagestani leader, Mr. Magomedov, admitted to
reporters after meeting President Yeltsin that
government troops are struggling to get on an even
footing with the rebels after initial setbacks.
/// MAGOMEDOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE
UNDER ///
He says -- the bandits attacked unexpectedly, and our
forces failed to stop them in time. But he said he
expects government troops to reach the turning point
soon.
Each side in the fighting admits losing about 40 men
since the conflict began a little more than two-weeks
ago. And both sides claim to have killed hundreds of
enemy fighters. But those reports could not be
independently confirmed. In the past, such claims
have proven to be greatly exaggerated.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pledged to crush
the rebels within two-weeks, shortly after he was
appointed this month. But that two-week deadline
expires Tuesday, and experts say there is little hope
for a quick end to the fighting. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
23-Aug-1999 11:09 AM LOC (23-Aug-1999 1509 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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