DATE=10/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA-CHECHNYA UPDATE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255114
BYLINE=WILLIAM GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops have made more advances in
their ongoing offensive against the breakaway
Chechen republic and, and there are more
conflicting reports about civilians being killed.
William Gasperini reports.
Text: Russian forces have now taken control of a
strategic ridge which is within artillery range
of the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Russian military officers say the troops advanced
after mounting an intense tank and artillery
barrage against Chechen fighters.
The ridge was the scene of similar fighting
during Russia's previous offensive against
Chechnya in December of 1994. Soon after, Russian
forces suffered heavy losses when they stormed
Grozny in a massive attack.
Russian generals say this time they do NOT plan a
repeat of that earlier assault,but they also
haven't ruled out trying to take the capital by
force.
The Russians say the main goal is to destroy
Islamic militants who they blame for a recent
series of terrorist bomb blasts in Russian
cities, a charge which militant leaders deny.
They in turn accuse Russia of starting a new war
mostly for domestic political reasons.
Meanwhile Chechen fighters reportedly conducted a
nighttime raid on Russian forces, employing a
strategy similar to that which they used in the
previous war to great effect.
The Chechens also say that 39 refugees were
killed last Friday when Russian warplanes bombed
a bus as they tried to escape the fighting.
About ten other people were killed early Saturday
when Russian jets attacked the town of Sernovodsk
in western Chechnya where a refugee camp is
located.
Russian officials say they were trying to hit a
base used by the militants.
Over 150-thousand refugees are now concentrated
not far away in the neighboring region of
Ingushetia, living in often squalid conditions.
(Signed)
NEB/WG/PT
TEXT:
NEB/ /
16-Oct-1999 17:20 PM EDT (16-Oct-1999 2120 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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