DATE=12/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-257136
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A Russian news agency is reporting clashes
between federal troops and Chechen fighters inside
Grozny. But Russia's defense ministry is denying
Chechen reports that the full-scale storming of the
capital has begun. Moscow Correspondent Eve Conant
reports Russian forces are shelling Grozny, despite
calls by the European security organization, O-S-C-E,
for a 24-hour cease-fire.
TEXT: Fighting on the outskirts of Grozny continues
as Russian forces try to break through rebel lines to
the city center.
Military officials say troops have seized the
capital's airport and the city's Khankala suburb. The
semi-official Interfax news agency reported clashes
between Russian troops and soldiers in several
neighborhoods, but no large-scale fighting.
A Chechen Internet web site said the full scale
storming of Grozny had begun and that fighters were
resisting the Russian advance. But a Russian defense
ministry official denied the report, saying no
fighting was taking place inside Grozny.
Interfax quotes military sources as saying fighting is
concentrated in the eastern outskirts of Grozny, but
reconnaissance teams had entered the capital to
identify rebel strongholds.
News reports say the sound of shelling could be heard
throughout Grozny, despite a call from O-S-C-E
chairman Knut Vollebaek for a 24-hour cease-fire to
allow residents to flee.
Moscow has paid little attention to western criticism
of the Chechnya campaign. Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin condemned the west for meddling in
Russia's internal affairs. He said the west was
increasingly using what he called the "language of
force" with Russia. He said Moscow would use all
means, including political and military ones, to
counter Western pressure.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Alexander Avdeyev says western
calls for a cease-fire are not realistic.
/// AVDEYEV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says the west underestimates the danger of
terrorists. He says -- a cease-fire would just give
terrorists more time to regroup and postpone their
defeat.
Between 10-thousand and 40-thousand civilians are
believed trapped inside Grozny. Russian officials
said several-thousand residents have already left.
Russia's military has set up corridors to allow them
to escape, but residents say they are afraid to leave
their basement hideouts because of constant shelling.
/// REST OPT ///
Russian news agencies quote military officials as
saying troops are preparing to "cleanse" remaining
Chechen fighters from Shali, 20-kilometers southeast
of Grozny. Military press representative Gennady
Alyokhin says troops are setting up posts outside the
town.
/// ALYOKHIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says Russian officials understand that most Chechen
fighters have left Shali. But he said snipers and
small groups of gunmen might still be in the town.
And, in his words -- if such militants are there they
will be destroyed.
Shali was one of the last separatist-held towns in
Chechnya aside from the capital Grozny. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH/RAE
14-Dec-1999 11:00 AM EDT (14-Dec-1999 1600 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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