DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-258217
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Fighting is still raging between Russian
troops and Chechen militants in Grozny, the capital of
Russia's breakaway republic of Chechnya. Bill
Gasperini in Moscow reports Russian officials continue
to say federal troops will eventually seize control of
the city.
TEXT: Russian troops are trying to push further into
the city center, block by block. But they are still
encountering strong resistance from the well-
entrenched Chechens.
Russian field commanders claim their forces now
control a large public square and a strategic bridge
over the Sunzha River near the center.
The report has not been confirmed by independent
sources. But a Russian seizure of the bridge would be
a setback for the Chechens.
Reports of the advance have boosted the confidence of
top Russian officers.
The military spokesman, Colonel Konstantin Kukharenko,
even says the war should be over soon, although
similar predictions in the past have proved unfounded.
The Chechens vow to continue resisting the Russians
even if Grozny finally falls, saying the conflict will
become a long, drawn-out partisan war.
Meanwhile in Moscow, several Chechen commanders held
talks with Russian officials, mediated by a pro-
Russian Chechen group called the State Council.
The Chechen leader of the council, Malik Saidullayev,
said the discussions were aimed at preventing more
bloodshed in Chechnya.
But a government spokesman said the talks involved
conditions facing civilians in the region and did not
represent a new peace initiative. (Signed)
NEB/BG/JWH/JP
19-Jan-2000 13:35 PM EDT (19-Jan-2000 1835 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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