DATE=12/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256856
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces continue air and artillery
attacks against the Chechen towns of Argun and Urus-
Martan as they press forward toward the capital
Grozny. But Russian officials say Chechen fighters
are offering fierce resistance, employing guerrilla
tactics Russia has been anxious to avoid. Moscow
Correspondent Eve Conant reports.
TEXT: Russian military officials say Chechen fighters
are increasingly turning to guerrilla tactics to stop
the advance of Russian troops.
A Russian military spokesman says Chechen fighters had
turned Urus-Martan and Grozny into what he called --
fortresses, where federal forces would suffer
significant losses if they entered.
Russian forces say they have fully encircled Grozny,
but Chechen commanders say their fighters still have
free passage to and from the capital.
Chechnya's president Aslan Maskhadov said on Chechen
television that fighters are retreating from towns and
villages, but will try to lure Russian troops into the
mountains.
A Russian regional commander has said federal troops
will open a route out of Grozny for civilians to leave
the city and resettle in parts of Russian-controlled
Chechnya. Many civilians have been hiding in
basements, afraid to flee because of heavy air and
artillery attacks on the capital.
A main border-crossing point between Chechnya and the
neighboring republic of Ingushetia remained open
(Sunday), allowing refugees to leave the breakaway
republic.
After weeks of delay, Russia's Foreign Minister said
the head of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, Knut Vollebaek, may visit the
North Caucasus mid-December. It is not clear if the
O-S-C-E group would be allowed to enter Chechnya.
(SIGNED)
NEB/EC/DW/RAE
05-Dec-1999 08:19 AM EDT (05-Dec-1999 1319 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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