DATE=2/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECHNYA / BABITSKY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258977
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A reporter for Radio Liberty who has been
missing in Chechnya has been heard from for the first
time in three-weeks. In a videotape statement Andrei
Babitsky says he is all right, but wants to go home.
As Bill Gasperini reports from Moscow, there are still
many doubts about his fate.
TEXT: Andrei Babitsky looked tired, but calm, as he
spoke on the videotape, which aired on Russian
television early Wednesday.
/// ACT BABITSKY, POOR AUDIO, FADE UNDER ///
He said -I am relatively O-K - the only problem is
that under the current circumstances I can not get
home immediately. He says - it is normal here, at
least as much as it can be in a time of war."
The tape was reportedly filmed several-days ago and
then brought to Moscow from Chechnya by unidentified
persons.
It is the first time there has been any word from the
missing reporter since he was allegedly handed over to
Chechen fighters in exchange for some Russian
soldiers. Arranged by the Russians, the exchange was
highly controversial, with many experts calling it a
clear violation of international law.
The Russians originally arrested Mr. Babitsky last
month in Chechnya. They later charged him with
helping the Chechens.
The Russians were clearly angered by his reporting
from the Chechen side during the conflict. He was one
of the few sources of independent information while an
intense battle raged for control of Grozny, the
Chechen capital.
Many feared the Russians had staged the prisoner
exchange, and Mr. Babitsky had actually been killed.
The new videotape has done little to convince the
Radio Liberty staff in Moscow that their colleague is
safe. Radio Liberty Moscow bureau chief, Mario Korti,
says the missing reporter was seen earlier this week
in the hands of a pro-Russian Chechen militia.
/// ACT KORTI ///
Mr. Babitsky was seen by eyewitnesses with his
face all blacked as the result of mistreatment,
beatings, and his clothes all full of blood. We
got that report a few hours before we got that
video.
/// END ACT ///
Like the prisoner exchange last week, the new tape
raises more questions about the fate of Andrei
Babitsky. (SIGNED)
NEB/BG/GE/RAE
09-Feb-2000 09:26 AM EDT (09-Feb-2000 1426 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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