DATE=3/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / PUTIN (L)
NUMBER=2-260381
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin has
flown to Chechnya in a fighter jet to show support for
federal troops just days before presidential
elections. Moscow Correspondent Peter Heinlein
reports Mr. Putin offered to open talks with Chechen
rebels, but only on Moscow's terms.
TEXT: The acting Russian leader boarded a sleek two-
seater Sukhoi-27 jet and flew directly to an airport
on the outskirts of the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Mr. Putin, whose popularity is closely linked to his
tough handling of the war in Chechnya, said on arrival
there will be a reduction in troop strength to comply
with the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
Russia admitted violating the C-F-E treaty when it
poured nearly 100-thousand soldiers and countless tank
and artillery units into the breakaway region last
year. But even as he spoke of cutbacks, Mr. Putin
acknowledged that the war is far from over.
/// PUTIN ACT ONE - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says - it is clear we still have a lot of problems,
so we will keep enough troops here to do the job
required.
Mr. Putin also indicated he would be willing to open
talks on ending the nearly seven-month conflict. But
he told reporters that rebels hiding in Chechnya's
southern mountains must choose whether to surrender or
fight.
/// PUTIN ACT TWO - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says - Russia is ready to start talks, even with
these people, and solve the issues of this territory
where we are staying. But then, borrowing a phrase
from the Russian "hide and seek" game, he added - of
course, some of them want to hide in caves in the
mountains, so do not blame me if we find them.
Such street talk is bound to boost Mr. Putin's image
as a tough and decisive leader in advance of Sunday's
election. He earlier announced he would not campaign.
But nationally televised pictures of him standing on
the Grozny airport tarmac wearing a leather bomber
jacket are worth hundreds of paid political
advertisements.
Mr. Putin is favored to win a four-year term in
office, although recent polls indicate he may fall
short of the 50-percent needed to win in the first
round. His support is especially strong among
soldiers, who credit him with solidly backing their
all-out drive to crush the Chechen rebels. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
20-Mar-2000 10:42 AM EDT (20-Mar-2000 1542 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
