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DATE=9/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/EXPLOSION (L - UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-253697
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Rescue workers have finished their search for 
bodies as security officials investigate the cause of 
an apartment block explosion that killed 90 people.  
Moscow correspondent Eve Conant reports officials are 
trying to determine if the blast was an act of 
terrorism or an accidental detonation of explosives. 
TEXT:  Rescue workers have completed their search for 
bodies beneath the rubble of a nine story apartment 
building that collapsed early Thursday morning.  But 
investigators are still searching for clues to the 
blast, which was equal in force to several hundred 
kilograms of T-N-T (a type of explosive).
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a 
televised address that security officials are 
investigating whether the blast was caused by a bomb 
or criminal negligence.
///ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE UNDER///
He says, "If the blast was a terrorist act, then we 
are facing a sly, treacherous and bloodthirsty enemy." 
He adds, " But no one will succeed in putting Russia 
on its knees."
Initial reports linked the explosion to a gas leak. 
But Federal Security Services Chief Nikolai Patrushev 
says investigators discovered traces of two explosive 
substances at the site.
///ACT PATRUSHEV IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE UNDER///
"We discovered traces of hexogen and T-N-T, which 
means the explosion did not take place by chance," he 
says. "However, we will continue to investigate all 
possible causes."
Prime Minister Putin says Russia will declare a day of 
mourning Monday for the victims of this blast as well 
as two other recent explosions. One person was killed 
in an explosion in a Moscow shopping center. More than 
60 people were killed in a blast in a military housing 
block in Dagestan. That incident was linked to Islamic 
militants. (Signed)
NEB/EC/ENE/JO
10-Sep-1999 12:46 PM EDT (10-Sep-1999 1646 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.