DATE=12/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-257520
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces are cautiously advancing deep
into the Chechen capital, Grozny in what is believed
to be the long-awaited final assault on the rebel
stronghold. Moscow Correspondent Peter Heinlein
reports street battles are raging in several sectors
of the war-ravaged capital.
TEXT: Day-two of the march on Grozny was marked by a
slow, but steady, advance. Instead of rolling into
the city on tanks as they did in the disastrous
invasion almost exactly five-years ago, this time
Russian infantry units are inching forward on foot,
then quickly retreating when they meet resistance and
calling in air and artillery strikes.
Russian military strategists say the plan is to wear
down rebel resistance block by block, forcing the
estimated five-thousand Chechen fighters to withdraw
toward the city center.
Clashes were reported in the northern, western, and
eastern sectors of Grozny. State-run Russian
television reported federal troops had moved into the
strategic Minutka Square, a few minutes drive from the
heart of the capital. But it was not clear whether
they had established control of the square.
The Minutka Square neighborhood was the scene of
several decisive battles in the previous war, and is
the place where western journalists reported a clash
last week in which more than 100 Russian soldiers were
killed.
Russian generals vehemently denied the incident
occurred, calling western reports - disinformation.
The semi-official Interfax news agency quotes Bislan
Gantamirov, the leader of a pro-Moscow Chechen
paramilitary group, as saying his forces have reached
close to the city center. He says they are conducting
house-to-house searches for rebels hiding in basements
and shelters.
Russian commanders tried to play down the scale of the
fighting. General Viktor Kazantzev, in remarks quoted
by the ITAR-Tass news agency, said - nothing terrible
is going on in Grozny, all that is happening is a
continuation of the operation to free the city of
bandits.
Independent information about conditions in the city
is scarce. The Russian assault has reached such an
intensity that civilians are being advised to stay in
bunkers and shelters, and not try to leave.
In a brief statement reported by the French news
agency Saturday, Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov
said Russian forces are suffering heavy casualties.
There were no other details. Casualty reports are
impossible to confirm.
Another Chechen commander, Shamil Basayev, was quoted
Sunday as ruling out a negotiated settlement to the
fighting. In remarks reported by the Associated
Press, the rebel commander said he would not hold
talks with Russia without a third party, or guarantees
from the international community.
Mr. Basayev, the man Moscow accuses of starting the
chain of events that led to the current war, said -
with Russians, it is impossible to make a deal, only
fighting works. He was speaking from what was
described as a basement hideout in Grozny. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/RAE
26-Dec-1999 15:11 PM EDT (26-Dec-1999 2011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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