DATE=10/10/1999
TYPE=Q&A
TITLE=CHECHNYA FIGHTING
NUMBER=2-254855
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=SHALI, CHECHNYA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops are pressing ahead with their
campaign against the breakaway Chechen republic,
targetting what they say are Islamic militants. But
Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov says most of the
victims have been civilians. VOA's Peter Heinlein in
Shali, Chechnya did a Q&A with VOA NEWS NOW at approx.
6:00 AM, EDT, on October 10, 1999. Peter had just
finished touring some of the battle scarred areas of
Chechnya. The following is a section of narrative by
Peter from that Q&A.
Text: President Maskhadov told reporters today
(Sunday) Russian troops have circled Chechnya and are
now involved in a massive missile and artillery
assault. He says they have already destroyed parts of
40 villages with artillery bombardments and
airstrikes.
Mr. Maskhadov said all oil storage facilities in the
region have been destroyed, including some chemical
plants, which were destroyed releasing noxious
substances. He said in one case even some radioactive
material was damaged.
The President said there has been damage to 60 to 70
percent of the bridges in Chechnya and we (reporters)
have seen evidence of several damaged, destroyed
bridges.
And President Maskhadov said so far about 520 people
have been killed, almost all of them civilians. And
he said thousands of people have been wounded.
Suggested outro: That is VOA Corresondent Peter
Heinlein reporting from Shali, Chechnya.
NEB/PH/EA/PLM
10-Oct-1999 09:10 AM EDT (10-Oct-1999 1310 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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