DATE=12/11/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CHECHNYA/CHECKPOINT
NUMBER=5-44968
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=OVERLOOKING GROZNY, CHECHNYA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Russian military in Chechnya has opened a
corridor to allow safe passage for civilians trying to
get out of the capital, Grozny, before the army
unleashes its full fury on the city. There is still
no firm word on when that intensified bombing
campaign may begin. V-O-A's Peter Heinlein went to
the checkpoint just outside Grozny where frightened,
sometimes sick and wounded refugees are arriving after
weeks of hiding from Russian air and artillery
attacks.
TEXT: /// ACT OF PEOPLE SHOUTING, MAN TALKING ///
The tension is high at this hastily erected checkpoint
in the barren hills overlooking Grozny. Small groups
of Chechen refugees slowly trudge up the winding dirt
road out of the capital carrying white flags of
surrender, to be met by soldiers representing the
force that has been bombing their city.
The checkpoint, five kilometers outside the capital,
has been open only since Thursday, so these are some
of the first refugees to take advantage of the army's
safe passage offer.
They are in bad shape. Most of them had hoped to wait
out the war hiding in basements and shelters. But
now, with their reserve supplies of food and other
essentials gone, and with bombs falling and shooting
in the streets, they have reached the point of
desperation. They say despite their wish to stay in
their homes, they have little choice but to accept the
safe passage offer.
Many, waiting to have their papers checked by the
Russian troops at the checkpoint, hesitate to talk at
first. They are not sure who is questioning them, and
they are very much aware the soldiers are listening to
everything they say.
But soon, their seething anger finds its voice.
/// CROWD ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO.
///
"They are bombing us all the time", says 35-year old
Sveta Kazakova. "There is no food supply. No water.
We are drinking salty water. It is impossible to get
fresh water because of the bombardments."
But at that point, a Russian soldier cuts her off.
/// SOLDIER ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE
TO.///
He says "They are not bombing." The refugees angrily
reply "They are. They are firing from those
mountains."
Within seconds, an argument breaks out, and as the
crowd jeers, the checkpoint commander, Major Sergei
Maslov, steps in to break it up and hustle visiting
journalists away.
He maintains Russian planes have completely halted
attacks on Grozny to allow time for a civilian exodus.
///MASLOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO.///
He says "We haven't been bombing. You can see for
yourself. For four days, no bombs."
But as he speaks, a roar erupts from a nearby hill,
sending angry shouts from the refugees, and prompting
a hasty explanation from Major Maslov that the blasts
are caused by dynamite charges used by troops digging
new fortifications around the city.
The checkpoint commander says opening the humanitarian
corridor is clear evidence Russia is trying to avoid
heavy civilian casualties, though he admits some
casualties are inevitable.
/// MASLOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE
TO.///
He says "Our aim is to move civilians out of Grozny.
But," he adds, "war is war and we cannot do it without
casualties. It happens in every war, just as in
Serbia."
The newly arrived refugees say there are many
thousands of people still in the city. Official
estimates go as high as 50-thousand. Only a few
hundred people have passed through the checkpoint
since it opened.
Thirty-three-year-old Aglan Magomadov says he left
behind many people in his Grozny neighborhood who have
no way of getting out.
/// MAGMADOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO.
///
He says "There are no cars. A lot of people simply
cannot leave. Some are old, some sick, others
wounded."
From this hilltop vantage point five kilometers away,
the sprawling capital seems asleep, a pall of black
smoke hangs over it from the massive oil well fires
burning since the early days of the current military
offensive. Only the frequent crackle of explosions
breaks the silence.
Russian commanders say they are determined to crush
the rebel fighters believed hiding inside, even if it
means completely destroying the city. For a number of
reasons, both military and political, the generals are
under growing pressure to get the job done quickly.
The Saturday deadline for civilians to get out of the
city passed quietly, with more refugees passing
through the corridor. But Russian generals promise,
and those in Grozny fear, that the massive bombing
campaign will soon begin. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/ALW/JP
11-Dec-1999 10:58 AM EDT (11-Dec-1999 1558 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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