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DATE=1/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-258283
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russia's Acting President Vladimir Putin says 
the threat of terrorism in Russia will grow stronger 
until what he calls the "rebels" in Chechnya are 
destroyed.  V-O-A Moscow Correspondent Eve Conant 
reports that Mr. Putin is meeting today (Friday) with 
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.  The Russian 
leader is expected to defend the military campaign in 
Chechnya in the face of continued western criticism.
TEXT:  Acting President Putin told a meeting of 
security officials there could be more bomb attacks on 
Russian territory in retaliation for the advance of 
federal troops deeper into Chechnya.
  /// PUTIN ACT ONE IN RUSSIAN-IN AND FADE UNDER ///
Using blunt language, he explains, "Let's remember 
what happened in Moscow, Buinaksk and other cities.  
It started after we punched the bandits in the face in 
Dagestan."  He says, "Right after that they carried 
out terrorist acts -- when they felt powerless against 
us."
Moscow accuses Chechen rebels of setting off four 
night-time explosions in Russian apartment buildings 
that killed nearly 300 people and served as one of the 
main reasons to begin the Chechnya offensive.  Chechen 
rebels have denied any involvement in the blasts, and 
Russian officials have provided little concrete 
evidence to support their claim.
Mr. Putin says security organs have information that 
more bomb attacks are planned.
   /// PUTIN ACT TWO IN RUSSIAN-IN AND FADE UNDER ///
He says, "I want to warn you, the situation is looking 
the same now.  We are destroying the bandits in 
Chechnya and so the danger of terrorist acts is 
growing." 
Meanwhile, heavy fighting between federal troops and 
rebels continues in the Chechen capital, Grozny.  
Russia's military estimates up to two-thousand rebels 
are defending the battered capital. 
Russia's Defense Ministry tells V-O-A it will  not  
disclose how many federal troops are surrounding 
Grozny.  Russian news agencies quote military sources 
as saying rebels tried to break federal lines near the 
village of Duba-Yurt in order to c