DATE=8/31/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KYRGYZSTAN / HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253291
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan
celebrates its independence on Tuesday despite a
continuing hostage crisis in its remote southern
mountains. More than a dozen hostages are being
held by up to 750 guerillas, and attempts to free
the hostages have resulted in civilian deaths.
V-O-A Moscow correspondent Eve Conant reports
that Kyrgyzstan is calling on Russia for military
assistance to fight the gunmen.
TEXT: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev ignored
calls to cancel independence day celebrations in
his country despite a hostage crisis that has
already resulted in civilian deaths.
Up to 750 guerilla fighters believed linked to
Islamic fundamentalist movements in Central Asia
are holding more than a dozen hostages, including
four Japanese geologists and a senior Kyrgyz
official.
Government troops fought again with the militants
Tuesday, continuing efforts to dislodge the
gunmen from several villages they have occupied.
Kyrgyz first deputy Prime Minister, Boris
Silayev, visited Moscow Tuesday to appeal for
military aid from Russia. He says Kyrgyzstan
does not have enough weapons to fight the
militants, and is also struggling to support the
several thousand refugees who have fled the
region.
///Act Silayev in Russian in full and fade
under///
"Kyrgyzstan cannot handle this problem on its
own," he says. "We need collective support and
that's why we have come to Moscow."
Mr. Silayev and Russian defense officials say
Russia may agree to send weapons to region, but
will not commit any troops.
Some reports state that the gunmen are members of
the hardline Muslim opposition in neighboring
Uzbekistan. The reports add that they are being
led by a rebel leader accused of trying to
assassinate the Uzbek president. The militants
are believed to include fighters from Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
A representative from the Kyrgyz presidential
administration, said an Uzbek jet fighter on
Sunday flew into Kyrgyz territory to try and
flush out the rebels from their hiding places.
Instead of routing the rebels, however, he says
that the Uzbek jet fighter accidentally bombed a
nearby village, killing several civilians. All
bombing raids by the Uzbek air force have since
been halted.
The guerrillas have yet to make any demands, and
there has been no contact with them since the
hostages were seized more than a week ago.
(Signed)
NEB/EC/GE
31-Aug-1999 09:29 AM EDT (31-Aug-1999 1329 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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