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DATE=3/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA POLITICS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260288
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Russian troops in Chechnya have begun casting 
early ballots in the March 26th presidential election. 
V-O-A Moscow correspondent Peter Heinlein reports 
Acting President Vladimir Putin is expected to sweep 
the military vote.
TEXT:  Acting President Putin got a thinly-veiled 
endorsement Friday from Russia's top commander in 
Chechnya, Major General Gennady Troshev.
///  TROSHEV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "Today we are among the first to vote for our 
future president, for the person who can restore 
order. The soldiers have made their choice."  He 
added, "we know who today is fulfilling this mission, 
who supports us".
The general's remarks were broadcast on nationwide 
television.
Mr. Putin has taken a commanding lead in opinion 
polls, based largely on his prosecution of the highly 
popular Chechen war.  With little more than a week to 
go, surveys show the acting president could get more 
votes than all 11 of his opponents combined, 
eliminating the need for a runoff.
On a campaign trip Friday to a commuter train factory 
outside Moscow, Mr. Putin expressed confidence in his 
victory.  He shrugged off suggestions that a failure 
to win in the first round would be a political 
setback.
///  PUTIN ACT ONE - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "Of course I expect success, so it's  not  
important whether it is in the first round or the 
second."  He added, "The most important thing is the 
final outcome."
The acting president also took a mild swipe at his 11 
opponents, questioning their reasons for staying in 
what looks like a hopeless race.
///  PUTIN ACT TWO - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
He says, "It would be senseless to join the pre-
election campaign if you don't believe you will win".
The latest opinion polls indicate Mr. Putin's support 
has slipped slightly over the past week, but is still 
over the 50 percent mark needed to win in the first 
round.  In second place, trailing far behind, is 
Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov.  
If a runoff is needed, it would be held in mid-April. 
(Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/JO
17-Mar-2000 12:43 PM EDT (17-Mar-2000 1743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.