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DATE=12/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (S&L)
NUMBER=2-257061
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian officials say civilians have time to 
leave the besieged Chechen capital Grozny despite an 
ultimatum issued by the military earlier this week 
telling residents to get out by December 11th or die in 
escalated attacks. Moscow correspondent Eve Conant 
reports Russia is dismissing Western fears of an all-
out assault on Grozny.
TEXT: Russia has backtracked over what was initially 
presented as a Saturday deadline telling residents of 
Grozny to leave or face certain death. Officials 
denied there was any deadline for residents but said 
they had set up corridors and checkpoints to assist in 
their evacuation. A Russian general says there are no 
plans for an immediate full-scale attack on the city.
An estimated 20 to 30-thousand civilians remain inside 
Grozny and few of those residents had moved through 
the checkpoints by early Saturday.
Moscow officials say they are in contact with Chechen 
officials and would hold talks with Chechnya's 
leadership to facilitate the evacuation of Grozny. But 
despite Western pressure to halt the campaign, 
Russia's Prime Minister on Saturday said, in his 
words, Russia's "aim to destroy terrorism will be 
achieved."
//Editors - SHORT ENDS HERE//
//REST FOR LONG//
Civilians in Grozny have said they are afraid to leave 
because they do not trust Russian soldiers and because 
of constant artillery and air attacks.
Those who have left the capital say more pamphlets 
were dropped on the city Friday, urging residents to 
leave in order to avoid civilian casualties. They said 
many people were unaware of the warnings because they 
are afraid to leave their basement hideouts.
Meanwhile, Russian troops claimed to be making 
territorial gains in other parts of Chechnya. Military 
sources say troops have encircled the town of Shali 
and are slowly forcing militants out. Shali is one of 
the last separatist-held towns left to take in 
Chechnya's lowlands aside from Grozny. (Signed)
NEB/EC/PLM
11-Dec-1999 05:42 AM EDT (11-Dec-1999 1042 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.