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DATE=11/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256409
BYLINE=WILLIAM GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russian forces have moved closer to Chechnya's 
capital city, amid signs they will soon try to capture 
it.  There are also signs that Russia's strategy 
involves much more than bombing, as Bill Gasperini 
reports from Moscow.
TEXT:  Russian troops are moving ever closer to 
Chechnya's capital city of Grozny as they continue to 
move steadily through the breakaway republic.
Russian units have also taken control of several more 
villages in the southwestern region, a former 
stronghold of Chechen fighters.  Many areas continue 
coming under heavy bombing and artillery strikes.
The Russian strategy demonstrates that lessons have 
been learned since the last war against Chechnya, 
several-years ago.  Then, thousands of young soldiers 
died in frontal attacks against Chechen fighters who 
showed they were adept at urban street fighting.
This time, the Russian advance has been much slower, 
with almost constant bomb and artillery strikes to 
push fighters back before troops move in.
In some areas, Russian officers have negotiated with 
village elders who were more interested in saving 
their towns from destruction than putting up 
resistance.
In other towns, refugees have even returned home after 
receiving assurances there would be no more bombing.
This "heart and mind" strategy also includes Russian 
civilian officials who deal with vital services such 
as gas and electricity.
Government ministers in charge of fuel, energy, and 
electricity visited Chechnya and announced Sunday that 
electric power will soon be restored in towns that 
have been taken by Russian forces.
The head of Russia's main energy system, Anatoly 
Chubais, said this process will begin in Gudermes, 
Chechnya's second-largest city, seized more than a 
week ago.  
In some northern parts of Chechnya, teachers and 
medical workers will soon receive their wages, and 
elderly people their pensions.  But it remains to be 
seen how effective this strategy will be in the long 
run.
Russia also occupied much of Chechnya during the last 
war, when it proved much harder to hold onto territory 
than to seize control of it.
Military officials estimate more than five-thousand 
Chechen fighters are preparing to resist any advance 
into Grozny -- an indication that the war is far from 
over.   (SIGNED)
NEB/WG/ALW/RAE
21-Nov-1999 10:29 AM EDT (21-Nov-1999 1529 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.