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DATE=10/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-255607
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  U-S Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott 
is urging Russia to refrain from using military force 
in Chechnya and to search for a political solution to 
the conflict.  But as V-O-A Correspondent Eve Conant 
reports from Moscow, Russia is pressing ahead with its 
campaign, bombing targets throughout the breakaway 
republic on Friday.
TEXT:  U-S Deputy Secretary of State Talbott urged 
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to begin 
political negotiations with Chechnya's leadership as 
soon as possible.  Mr. Talbott said he expressed 
President Clinton's concern about the situation in 
Chechnya and said he hoped Moscow would find a way to 
minimize civilian casualties.
Foreign Minister Ivanov said Russia will seek a 
political solution, but only after Russian forces 
destroy terrorist bases in Chechnya.
            /// IVANOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER 
///
He says, "The final settlement in Chechnya will be 
political.  But certain conditions must first be 
created."  The Russian foreign minister said one of 
the conditions is the liquidation of what he calls 
"terrorist bandit formations" that in past years have 
blocked political agreements 
In separate comments, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir 
Putin told reporters he believed President Clinton was  
not  concerned over the military campaign.
            /// PUTIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER 
///
He says his impression is that the U-S President is 
not worried about the tough measures taken against 
terrorists in Chechnya.  Mr. Putin says, "In fact, the 
world community supports the struggle against 
terrorism."
Meanwhile, Russian jets continue to pound Chechnya's 
capital, Grozny, as well as the republic's second 
largest city, Gudermes.  Russian forces are also 
carrying out air and artillery strikes against several 
villages in the region.
The United Nations says it plans to send a 
humanitarian mission to neighboring republics to help 
with the growing refugee crisis.
More than 190-thousand refugees have already fled the 
fighting.  On Friday, several thousand gathered at the 
border between Chechnya and Ingushetia, which has been 
sealed off by Russian troops for almost a week.  
Military officials had promised to re-open checkpoints 
to allow refugees inside Chechnya to escape, but now 
say the border will remain closed for several more 
days. (Signed)
NEB/EC/JP
29-Oct-1999 08:54 AM EDT (29-Oct-1999 1254 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.