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DATE=11/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256275
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russia, bowing to international pressure, has 
agreed to allow a top United Nations official to visit 
the northern Caucasus, including parts of breakaway 
Chechnya.  But at the same time, a senior Russian 
general has issued a stern warning to the West to stay 
out of Russia's internal affairs.  V-O-A Correspondent 
Peter Heinlein reports from Moscow.
TEXT:  U-N High Commissioner for refugees Sadako Ogata 
arrived in Moscow Wednesday saying she came to convey 
Secretary General Kofi Annan's concerns, both about 
battling terrorism and caring for civilians.
After meeting with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Ms. 
Ogata said she had received permission for a trip to 
the Northern Caucasus.  She will inspect the condition 
of camps in Ingushetia, where many of the 210-thousand 
refugees from Chechnya are sheltering.  She also said 
she expects to visit parts of the breakaway region 
recently returned to Russian control.
            ///  OGATA ACT  ///
      We will be travelling in the field tomorrow 
      (Thursday), hopefully to Ingushetia and to 
      Chechnya itself, in order to get a more exact 
      understanding of the developments there.
            ///  END ACT  ///
Standing alongside Ms. Ogata, Foreign Minister Ivanov 
said Moscow attaches great importance to the High 
Commissioner's visit.  He told reporters "We have 
nothing to hide."
In another development, Air Force Chief of Staff 
Anatoly Kornukov angrily reminded the west Wednesday 
Russia is a nuclear armed country, and would not 
tolerate outside interference in its campaign to 
restore control over Chechnya.
  ///  KORNUKOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "Russia is not Iraq.  It is not Yugoslavia. 
And any attempt to interfere will be resolutely 
blocked".
General Kornukov's warning came on the eve of the 
European security summit, where Chechnya is dominating 
discussions.  But in what may be a concession to world 
opinion, reports from the western sector of the war 
zone indicate there may be a letup in the fierce 
Russian military offensive.
Journalists along the border report the heavy 
artillery and rocket fire that could be heard in the 
distance for the past several weeks has fallen silent. 
The French news agency, however, suggests another 
possible reason for the quiet.  The agency quoted 
Russian military officials as saying they have 
captured the Chechen stronghold of Bamut along the 
western border.  Bamut had symbolized Chechnya's 
battle for independence during the earlier war in the 
region, from 1994 to 1996.  (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/LTD/gm
17-Nov-1999 13:20 PM EDT (17-Nov-1999 1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.