DATE=8/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / DAGESTAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253111
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops say they have regained control
of all mountain villages seized by Islamic separatists
early this month in the southern Dagestan region. V-
O-A Moscow Correspondent Peter Heinlein reports two
villages bombed by Russian jets were destroyed.
TEXT: The fighting appears to be over. After two-
and-one-half weeks of steady air and artillery
strikes, Russian military officials say all Muslim
rebels have been cleared from the mountains of
Dagestan, along the border with breakaway Chechnya.
A Defense Ministry spokesman said two of six villages
occupied by the insurgents were reduced to rubble by
the air strikes.
Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo says the next step
is to sweep the combat zone for mines and booby traps
before the estimated 11-thousand residents are allowed
to return home.
/// RUSHAILO ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says, "Mine clearing operations are being
conducted, using special dogs." He added that some
villagers are already moving back into the sparsely
populated mountains.
But while the fighting has stopped, the information
war continues. The Defense Ministry issued a
triumphant statement saying the separatists had been
routed and were fleeing in small groups back to
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