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DATE=11/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA ECON (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256508
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has 
marked his 100th day in office with a speech citing 
what he called recent successes on the economic and 
military fronts.  V-O-A Correspondent Peter Heinlein 
in Moscow reports Mr. Putin pledged solid financial 
support for the war in Chechnya.
TEXT:  Four months ago, Vladimir Putin was a political 
unknown.  Today he is arguably Russia's most popular 
politician, the leading contender for next year's 
presidential election.  The military offensive in 
Chechnya, which began shortly after he took office in 
August, enjoys solid public support.
But in a speech to parliament on his 100th day in 
office, the 47-year-old prime minister spoke of 
financial progress as well.  He predicted Russia's 
economy, spurred on by higher oil prices and a 
devalued ruble, would return to growth this year after 
last year's meltdown.
            /// PUTIN ACT ONE - IN RUSSIAN - FADE 
UNDER ///
He says, "We know there are positive developments on 
the economic front that started to appear shortly 
after the crisis of August last year.  For the first 
time since the beginning of market reforms, these 
trends have continued for 14 months."
Mr. Putin says inflation was held to just over 30-
percent this year, far less than the forecast of 50 to 
60-percent.  He said spending had been held down 
despite massive additional outlays for the military 
offensive in Chechnya. 
            /// PUTIN ACT TWO - IN RUSSIAN - FADE 
UNDER ///
He says, "additional expenditures for anti-terrorist 
operations in the northern Caucasus will amount to the 
equivalent of 115-million dollars.  But that will be 
more than offset by additional income - mostly from 
oil sales - of more than two-billion dollars."
It was not immediately clear what the 115-million 
dollar expenditure figure referred to.  Former Russian 
Finance Minister Mikhail Zadornov was quoted recently 
as saying the Chechen offensive was costing from 115-
million to 150-million dollars a month.
The International Monetary Fund earlier warned Russia 
it would cut financial assistance if the government 
uses I-M-F money to help finance the military 
campaign.
            /// REST OPT ///
Recent reports from the war front indicate Russia's 
ground offensive is beginning to pick up.  The early 
days of the campaign saw mostly air strikes and 
artillery barrages.  But lately, federal troops have 
captured several Chechen towns and cities and are 
poised on the outskirts of the capital, Grozny.
In his speech to parliament, Prime Minister Putin was 
vague about military strategy.  But he said the 
campaign's objective remains the same - the 
destruction of Chechnya's Islamic militants. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/JP
24-Nov-1999 11:57 AM EDT (24-Nov-1999 1657 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.