DATE=1/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - GROZNY - BATTLE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258556
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Fighting continues to rage near the center of
Grozny, capital of Russia's breakaway Chechen
republic, as Russian troops try to move forward. The
conflict continues amid calls from the international
community for a negotiated solution.
TEXT: Fighting in Grozny has reached a kind of deadly
stalemate as Chechen fighters have all but blocked the
movement of Russian forces.
Russian troops are trying to creep forward block-by-
block... but the Chechens find perfect cover in the
rubble of buildings, allowing them to hit back at the
much larger Russian force.
Russian officials now acknowledge that this is causing
the casualty rate to rise; there're some estimates
that 20 men are being killed each day.
Last week the Defense Ministry said well over one-
thousand had been killed since the war began last
September, more than double the previous estimate.
Despite this, Russian leaders say the campaign will
continue.
On Friday Acting President Vladimir Putin said Russia
had to fight against what he called "diabolic forces"
which are "trying to tear Russia apart."
Mr. Putin's current popularity is largely due to his
hard-line stand against the Chechen fighters, whom he
calls "terrorists".
Several days ago Russian officials declared a security
alert after a leading Chechen warlord threatened to
launch attacks in Russia itself in retaliation for the
war.
Police checkpoints have been set up around the
country, especially on the outskirts of major cities
including Moscow.
Meanwhile United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
has called for an end to the war in Chechnya.
Mr. Annan is wrapping up a three-day visit to Russia.
(Signed)
NEB/BG/PLM
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
29-Jan-2000 05:47 AM EDT (29-Jan-2000 1047 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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