DATE=11/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-255814
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian officials say they want to
require entry visas from citizens from Azerbaijan
and Georgia in order to prevent Islamic militants
from travelling in and out of Chechnya. But V-O-
A Moscow correspondent Eve Conant reports
military forces are allowing thousands of
refugees trapped inside the Chechen-Ingush border
to flee.
TEXT: Russian forces are allowing busloads of
refugees to cross into Ingushetia after more than
a week of waiting. But Russia's emergency
situations minister, Sergey Shoigu, says Russian
authorities will take action to alleviate refugee
overcrowding in Ingushetia.
///ACT SHOIGU IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE
UNDER///
He says, "In order to relieve Ingushetia of
refugees we are trying to set up similar refugee
camps inside Chechnya."
Russian forces continue to pound targets near the
Chechen capital and along the eastern border with
Dagestan. News agencies report troops have nearly
surrounded Chechnya's second largest city,
Gudermes.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told a cabinet
meeting Thursday he wanted Russia to demand entry
visas for citizens from Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Georgian forces have not cooperated with
Russian proposals for joint border controls and
Russian officials say militants have used the
poorly guarded mountainous frontier to travel in
and out of the breakaway republic.
///ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE UNDER///
"The border between Chechnya and Georgia is not
tight enough," says Mr. Putin. "Criminal elements
can penetrate the border to other parts of the
Russian federation."
Prime Minister Putin also suggested requiring
visa for citizens from Azerbaijan, which borders
the Russian republic of Dagestan. Russian forces
battled Islamic militants in Dagestan before
launching their military campaign in Chechnya.
(Signed)
NEB/EC/GE/KL
04-Nov-1999 09:52 AM EDT (04-Nov-1999 1452 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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