DATE=11/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECHEN FIGHTING (L)
NUMBER=2-256141
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is due
to brief President Boris Yeltsin on the military
campaign against the breakaway Chechen republic; This
comes as Russian troops continue to advance into other
parts of the southern region. Bill Gasperini has more
from Moscow.
TEXT: Prime Minister Putin says he's confident the
Chechnya offensive IS succeeding despite growing
international concern about civilian casualties.
Late Saturday Mr. Putin met top Cabinet ministers in
Russia's powerful Security Council to discuss the
situation.
He said Russia's capture of the second-largest city in
Chechnya marks a turning point in the war; troops
moved into the city of Guder-mes beginning on Friday.
Other Russian units are now steadily advancing into
different parts of the breakaway republic, while jets
and artillery continue to pound villages and the
capital city of Grozny.
Witnesses say the bombardment is the heaviest yet in
the seven-week-old war, which HAS taken a heavy toll
on civilians.
Many people have been killed or wounded as refugees
continue trying to flee the fighting. Close to 200-
thousand have already fled into the neighboring region
of Ingushetia.
Civilian casualties and the refugee exodus have led to
extensive criticism from the international community,
including comments from President Bill
Clinton and other world leaders.
But the Russian government has brushed aside such
criticism, saying the war is necessary in the fight
against Islamic militants whom Moscow considers
terrorists.
The situation in Chechnya is likely to be raised in a
summit meeting of world leaders which will take place
in Istanbul, Turkey in a few days.
President Clinton and others are sure to express their
views to Prime Minister Putin and possibly President
Yeltsin, who may also attend the
gathering. (Signed)
NEB/BG/PLM
TEXT:
NEB/ /
14-Nov-1999 07:00 AM EDT (14-Nov-1999 1200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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