DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / CHECHNYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258671
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says more than two-thousand
refugees each day are fleeing the war in Chechnya by
crossing the border to neighboring Ingushetia. Lisa
Schlein reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The U-N refugee agency says among the 21-
hundred Chechens who crossed Monday into Ingushetia,
about 300 were from the capital, Grozny, and the
surrounding Shatoi district where fighting also is
taking place.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron Redmond says the new arrivals
report people in Grozny, particularly the elderly and
infirm who cannot leave, spend nearly all of their
time in dark, dank cellars. He says these hiding
places have no heat and no electricity, and he says
people staying there have little or no food or
medicine. He says about 20-thousand civilians are
believed to be in Grozny.
/// REDMOND ACT ONE ///
Our monitors noted that the average age of those
who arrived in Ingushetia from Grozny and Shatoi
yesterday (Monday) appeared to be in the 30's
and 40's. This is generally younger than what
we have been seeing in recent weeks when mostly
elderly and children came out. When asked about
their plans, these new arrivals reported that
they had come to buy food and medicine, and
would then return with those supplies to
Chechnya.
/// END ACT ///
The Chechens also told U-N workers that ethnic
Russians in Chechnya, especially in Grozny, are living
together in small groups to share whatever meager food
supplies they have.
Mr. Redmond says aid workers are upset that they are
not able to assist the people in Grozny. But, he says
it is much too dangerous for them to go to Chechnya.
/// REDMOND ACT TWO ///
We are still having an extremely difficult time
just operating in the surrounding republics
because of the security threats there. We are
very, very heavily guarded by Russians in
everything we do there. So, going into Chechnya
right now would be extremely difficult.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Redmond says the United Nations and private aid
agencies continue to bring food, medicine and other
relief supplies to the Chechens in Ingushetia. He
says the nearly 200- thousand people who have sought
refuge there are living in cramped, difficult
conditions. He says the refugees need more
assistance, but there are limits to what the aid
agencies can do. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/RAE
01-Feb-2000 08:11 AM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1311 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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