DATE=12/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / CHECHNYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257026
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations officials are voicing concern
about civilians trapped in the Chechen capital,
Grozny, as a Russian deadline nears for them to leave
the city. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The United Nations refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R,
says it is increasingly concerned about the civilians
remaining in Grozny.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron Redmond says there are
reportedly between 35-thousand and 40-thousand
civilians still in the Chechen capital. And, he says
many people risk losing their lives if the Russians
follow through on their ultimatum to bombard Grozny
with heavy artillery fire on Saturday.
/// REDMOND ACT ///
We are particularly worried about handicapped,
old and frail persons in Grozny who are
reportedly unable to move out of Grozny and
whose fate and condition is unknown. Confusion
reigns over the Russian ultimatum which was
issued on Monday telling people to leave the
city by tomorrow.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Redmond notes Russia's emergencies minister is
quoted as saying civilians can leave after the
deadline. The minister also reportedly has called for
direct talks with the Chechen president to get
thousands of civilians out of Grozny.
Mr. Redmond also says the Russians reportedly have
opened a so-called safe corridor by which people can
leave Grozny. But, he adds, few people are using the
route.
The U-N's top human rights official, Mary Robinson,
joined the protests against Russia's threatened
action. In a statement, she expresses what she calls,
her profound concern at the situation of civilians in
Grozny.
Ms. Robinson says Russia's ultimatum gives civilians
no choice but to leave the city or risk injury or
death as a result of indiscriminate bombardment. She
suggests this could be a violation of international
human rights and humanitarian law. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
10-Dec-1999 09:01 AM EDT (10-Dec-1999 1401 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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