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DATE=3/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-259850
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russian troops are battling Chechen fighters 
near villages south of Grozny, the capital of the war-
torn Chechen republic.  Fierce clashes erupted when 
about 70 Chechens moved out of the Caucasus Mountains 
into the lowland areas.  Bill Gasperini reports from 
Moscow.
TEXT:  Russian military commanders say the Chechens 
have been trying to slip through Russian lines out 
onto the low-lying plains.  Groups of rebels were 
spotted as they moved toward several villages the 
Russians say they control.
Most of those villages have come under heavy aerial 
bombardment.
Russian aircraft and artillery have also been pounding 
suspected rebel positions in the mountains, where 
heavy fighting has been under way for weeks.  More 
rebel raids were reported in various other places, 
including attacks on two police stations in Grozny. 
The new clashes are another sign the Chechen conflict 
is far from over, as the rebels make good on promises 
to mount a guerrilla war against the Russians.
Last week, Russian field commanders announced that the 
war was all but over after troops seized the last 
major rebel stronghold in the mountains. 
Meanwhile, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo 
has been investigating an ambush that killed 20-troops 
late last week.
Mr. Rushailo says local commanders failed to take 
adequate security measures to protect a convoy of 
trucks attacked by Chechen rebels.  The trucks were 
carrying special police troops on their way to patrol 
parts of Grozny.
The Russians have rounded up dozens of Chechens 
suspected of taking part in the raid.  Officials say 
some local civilians may also have helped the rebels. 
The ambush demonstrated the vulnerability of Russian 
forces, even inside Grozny, which has reportedly been 
under Russian control for a month.   (SIGNED)
NEB/WEG/ALW/RAE 
05-Mar-2000 09:39 AM EDT (05-Mar-2000 1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.