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DATE=11/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256086
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says 
federal forces have captured one of Chechnya's largest 
cities.  Mr. Putin's announcement comes as 
international leaders are calling on Moscow to scale 
down the military campaign in the breakaway republic.  
But V-O-A Moscow Correspondent Eve Conant reports that 
Russian officials are showing no signs of reducing 
their operations in Chechnya.
TEXT:  Prime Minister Putin says the Russian flag has 
been raised over Chechnya's second largest city, 
Gudermes.  Communication with Chechen military sources 
has effectively been cut off, but the loss of Gudermes 
would signal a significant defeat for Chechen forces.
       ///  PUTIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
The prime minister says Russian armed forces have 
closed in on the two biggest cities in Chechnya, 
Gudermes, and the capital Grozny.  Mr. Putin says, 
"The Russian flag has already been hoisted over 
Gudermes and a temporary administration has been 
elected."
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of Russia's top 
military officials, Prime Minister Putin says the 
government will take steps to make Russia's military, 
in his words, "more powerful and effective." 
At the meeting, Russia's defense minister, Igor 
Sergeev, lashed out at the West, calling the military 
policy of the United States and NATO a "challenge to 
Russia."
///  SERGEEV ACT ONE - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "The West wants to weaken Russia and force it 
out of strategic positions such as the Caspian region, 
the Caucasus, and Central Asia."
The defense minister said what he called the West's 
aggressive and destabilizing military policy violates 
international law.  Mr. Sergeev added that the United 
States would benefit from Russia's conflict in 
Chechnya.
///  SERGEEV ACT TWO - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "A smouldering, armed conflict in the 
Caucasus is in the national interests of the United 
States."
Western leaders have become increasingly vocal about 
their opposition to what Moscow calls its "anti-
terrorist" campaign in Chechnya, which has resulted in 
civilian casualties and an exodus of nearly 200-
thousand refugees.
///  REST OPT  ///   
A Kremlin aide says Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will 
attend a summit of the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe next week in Turkey.  The 
Interfax News Agency quotes Kremlin sources as saying 
President Boris Yeltsin will lead the Russian 
delegation at the summit. 
OSCE officials and other Western leaders are urging 
Moscow to seek a political solution to the Chechen 
conflict.  But Russia rejects international criticism 
and says force is necessary to wipe out Islamic 
terrorists operating inside the breakaway republic. 
(Signed)
NEB/EC/KL
12-Nov-1999 10:27 AM EDT (12-Nov-1999 1527 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.