DATE=11/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA / L-O
NUMBER=2-256123
BYLINE=BILL GASPARINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops continue to advance into the
breakaway Chechen Republic amid a massive aerial
bombardment. The heavy fighting comes as
international criticism mounts over Russia's hard line
against Chechnya. Bill Gasperini reports from Moscow
TEXT:
Russian jets continue to bomb and strafe different
parts of Chechnya to assist the slow, methodical
advance of Russian troops.
Reports have emerged of civilians cowering in their
basements to escape the heavy aerial bombardment.
The troops appear to be moving ever closer to the
capital, Grozny.
Friday Russian officials claimed to have moved into
Chechnya's second-largest city - Gudermes -- although
it is still unclear if troops are in complete control
there.
The gradual advance is in sharp contrast to the
tactics employed by Russia during the last war with
Chechnya several years ago.
During that offensive, thousands of Russian soldiers
died when armored columns moved rapidly into Grozny --
a mistake military officers have said they will not
repeat this time.
But the intensive bombing has again taken a heavy toll
on the civilian population.
Many civilians have been killed or wounded as refugees
continue trying to flee the fighting. Close to 200
thousand others have already fled into the neighboring
region of Ingushetia.
Meanwhile the intense fighting is increasing the
diplomatic pressure on Russia to find a political
solution to the crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said
Friday that Russia has gone "far beyond" its stated
objective of destroying Islamic militants in Chechnya.
And U-S State Department Spokesman James Rubin decried
allegations by Russia's defense minister that the
United States wants to "weaken" Russia and foster
instability in the region.
Other Russian leaders have also dismissed criticism of
the military action, saying Chechnya is entirely an
internal matter.
However the situation in Chechnya is likely to
dominate a summit of world leaders at a meeting in
Istanbul, Turkey next week. (signed)
NEB / BG / WD
13-Nov-1999 04:33 AM EDT (13-Nov-1999 0933 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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