DATE=11/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNHCR / CHECHNYA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255848
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-
C-R, says the situation at the Ingush-Chechen
border has improved somewhat since the Russians
relaxed border controls on Wednesday. Lisa
Schlein in Geneva reports that thousands of
people have taken advantage of the eased controls
to flee the fighting in Chechnya.
TEXT: The U-N Refugee Agency reports about 10-
thousand Chechens have crossed the border into
Ingushetia over the past two days. Prior to
that, the Russians allowed, at most, only a few
hundred people to pass through.
The re-opening of the border coincides with
mounting international criticism of what many are
calling indiscriminate Russian attacks against
civilians in Chechnya.
The U-N Refugee Agency says there is still a huge
number of people wanting to leave Chechnya. U-N-
H-C-R spokesman Kris Janowski says there is a
line of cars stretching seven kilometers on the
Chechen side of the border. He says that the
easing of border controls is good news for
Chechens, but is creating problems for
Ingushetia.
/// JANOWSKI ACT ///
This (eased controls) has helped at the border.
But, at the same time, the influx is putting a
new burden on the Ingush authorities who are now
hosting some 200-thousand people from Chechnya.
As many as 10-thousand accommodated in tents and
very, very provisional accommodation.
///END ACT///
Mr. Janowski says members of a United Nations
humanitarian mission to the Caucuses report the
Chechens who are fleeing into Ingushetia
generally are in good physical condition. But,
they say the refugees are traumatized by their
experiences. The United Nations team also says
it is deeply concerned about the lack of shelter
in Ingushetia. And is worried about how these
thousands of people will fare during the winter.
Mr. Janowski says the Refugee Agency is planning
to send more relief convoys to Ingushetia. They
will include winterized tents, as well as hygiene
kits and baby food. He says 400 babies have been
born among the Chechen refugees since the crisis
started. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
05-Nov-1999 08:36 AM EDT (05-Nov-1999 1336 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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