DATE=11/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-256633
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces have suffered a series of
setbacks in Chechnya, amid mounting international
criticism of Moscow's military offensive in the
breakaway region. From the Russian capital, V-O-A's
Peter Heinlein reports Kremlin officials are again
rejecting calls for outside mediation of the Chechen
conflict.
TEXT: Russian warplanes, helicopters and artillery
unleashed a fresh barrage of firepower Monday at the
Chechen capital, Grozny, and the town of Urus-Martan,
20 kilometers to the south. But the onslaught failed
to dislodge thousands of fighters defending the two
rebel stongholds.
// OPT // Information from the front is sketchy.
Journalists in the war zone say satellite phone
communications are apparently being jammed, leaving
them with no reliable way of transmitting their
reports. Russia earlier cut off all regular and
cellular phone lines to the region, as part of an
attempt to disrupt communications between Chechen
field commanders. // END OPT //
The French news agency reports rebel forces have gone
on a counter-attack, after weeks of only passive
resistance in the face of superior Russian weaponry.
The report says Chechen fighters recaptured two
settlements 50 kilometers east of Grozny that had
fallen earlier to federal troops.
Russia's deputy chief of staff, General Valery
Manilov, announced (Monday) that a reconnaissance
patrol was ambushed and nearly wiped out in the
southeastern Vedeno region, home of Chechen field
commander Shamil Basayev.
/// MANILOV ACT IN RUSSIAN-ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER ///
He says "Our guys had to fight to the end. Twelve
were killed, [and] two others captured." He says
Russian paratroopers later killed 50 or 60 rebel
fighters.
// OPT // Russian officials also said the pilot of an
M-I-eight attack helicopter was killed during a battle
in the southeastern region. // END OPT //
In Moscow, meanwhile, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov
again ruled out an attempt by the European Security
organization, the O-S-C-E, to help bring an end to the
Chechen conflict. After a meeting with visiting
O-S-C-E head Knut Vollebaek, Mr. Ivanov told reporters
Moscow's position remains firm: the war is Russia's
internal matter, and not a subject for outside
mediation.
/// IVANOV ACT IN RUSSIAN-ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER ///
He says, "I hope your listeners know Russia is not
going to make decisions under pressure. We know a
solution is necessary, and don't need anybody to
convince us or lecture us about it."
But Mr. Vollebaek, who is also Norway's foreign
minister, said he would continue to press Russia for
permission to make an on-site assessment of conditions
in Chechnya.
/// VOLLEBAEK ACT ///
I would say I would not be honest if I say I
am satisfied or I feel I have achieved what I
came for. I do think it is important that I, as
chairman of the office of the O-S-C-E, am
allowed to visit the region.
/// END ACT ///
Russia reluctantly agreed during the Istanbul summit
this month to allow the O-S-C-E chief to visit
Chechnya. But officials at the Kremlin avoided giving
any firm dates, and have signaled they are in no
hurry to approve the mission. Norway's presidency of
the O-S-C-E is due to end December 31st. Mr. Vollebaek
is pushing for a visit before then. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/WTW
29-Nov-1999 15:21 PM EDT (29-Nov-1999 2021 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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