DATE=12/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=GROZNY FIGHTING
NUMBER=2-257506
BYLINE=BILL GASPARINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian troops continue to advance slowly into
Grozny, the besieged capital of the breakaway Chechen
republic. As Bill Gasparini reports Chechen fighters
are putting up stiff resistance to the long-awaited
attack.
TEXT: Heavy fighting is reported as columns of Russian
tanks and heavy armor try to push into Grozny from
several different directions.
Thousands of soldiers and members of a pro-Russian
Chechen militia are in the vanguard of the thrust into
the embattled capital.
Grozny is also subject to heavy aerial bombing and
artillery strikes in support of the infantry assault.
Progress is said to be slow as Russian commanders want
to avoid the heavy casualty toll inflicted by Chechen
fighters the last time Russia took Grozny, during the
first Chechen war almost five years ago.
In many areas troops pulled back when the going got
too rough so that Chechen positions could be hit
repeatedly from the air.
As many as five-thousand Chechen fighters are believed
to be in Grozny, and they have vowed to defend the
city whatever it takes. At least one Chechen
commander reportedly says the Russian advance has been
halted.
Despite this, some Russian field commanders claim the
Russian flag will be flying over Grozny within days.
Meanwhile a senior Russian Cabinet minister met with a
Chechen official in nearby Ingushetia to discuss the
fate of about 40-thousand civilians said to be trapped
inside the city.
But there was no agreement about providing safe
passage for them to leave, something which would
appear impossible as the offensive continues.
/// REST OPT ///
Fighting is also underway in the rugged Caucasus
Mountains to the south of Grozny, where Russia is
trying to dislodge rebels from several areas.(signed)
NEB/WG/JO
26-Dec-1999 07:16 AM EDT (26-Dec-1999 1216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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