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DATE=10/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255108
BYLINE=WILLIAM E. GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops are regrouping in the breakaway 
region of Chechnya for what officials say is the 
beginning of the second phase of military operations. 
Russia has so far seized about one-third of Chechnya 
in a bid to crush Islamic rebels Moscow says are based 
there.  Bill Gasperini has more from Moscow.
TEXT: Russian troops are busy fortifying positions in 
the northern part of Chechnya, which they now control.  
Some units have also taken control of a key highway 
linking Chechnya to neighboring regions (in Russia).
Military officials say the next phase of the operation 
is to consolidate what has been taken so far.
It still is not clear if the Russians will launch an 
attack on the Chechen capital city, Grozny, something 
which did occur in the last war Russia fought against 
Chechnya several years ago.
Russian political leaders have promised not to repeat 
the disastrous mistakes made last time, when tens of 
thousands of people were killed before Moscow was 
forced to withdraw its troops.
Critics say the current offensive is already likely to 
lead to another quagmire for Moscow.  Battle-hardened 
Chechen fighters are could inflict heavy losses on the 
Russians if a large-scale assault is launched.
But Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is standing 
tough on his promise to "destroy" Chechen militants, 
whom he blames for several recent bomb attacks in 
Russian cities.
//OPT// On Friday, President Boris Yeltsin appointed a 
new Russian envoy to Chechnya (Nikolai Koshman).//END 
OPT//
At the moment, more than 150,000 refugees are crowded 
into makeshift camps in the neighboring region of 
Ingushetia, having fled from Russian bombing and 
shelling of Chechnya.
Most are now sleeping out in the open where conditions 
are growing increasingly desperate, with a lack of 
food, water and medicines.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch has sharply 
criticized Moscow for its response to the refugees, 
whom are not allowed to move into other parts of 
Russia where many have relatives who could help.
The group also says Moscow is forcibly concentrating 
the refugees in order to then relocate them into parts 
of Chechnya under Russian control. (Signed)
NEB/WEG/ALW/JO
16-Oct-1999 09:00 AM EDT (16-Oct-1999 1300 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.