DATE=5/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262379
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian warplanes bombed suspected rebel
targets in Chechnya as a federal amnesty offer
expired. V-O-A's Peter Heinlein in Moscow also
reports a helicopter heading for the war zone crashed,
accidentally firing rockets into an apartment
building.
TEXT: Russian television reports an M-I-eight
helicopter went down shortly after takeoff near the
town of Nalchik, about 100-kilometers west of
Chechnya. The craft was on a combat mission, but the
crash was said to have been due to mechanical failure.
Reports from the scene say the chopper hit power lines
as it fell, triggering two missiles, which shot into a
nearby five-story apartment building. Several
crewmembers suffered severe injuries, and one woman in
the apartment building was wounded by falling debris.
Despite the mishap, Russian warplanes kept up a steady
pounding of suspected rebel targets. Gun-battles were
reported at several places, even as a deadline passed
for an offer of amnesty to fighters who surrendered to
federal authorities.
Most rebels scorned the offer, but government
spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky says 150-fighters gave
up and turned in their weapons. Mr. Yastrzhembsky
also denied widespread media reports of behind-the-
scenes negotiations aimed at a political settlement of
the nearly nine-month war.
/// YAZTRZHEMBSKY ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says - there is no connection between expiration of
the amnesty and any kind of talks. He stated
categorically that there are currently no discussions
with the rebel leadership.
Meanwhile, Chechnya's president Aslan Maskhadov says
he sees no end in sight to the war. In an interview
with a German radio station, the rebel leader welcomed
western efforts to end the fighting, but said - in
this situation, the only thing left for both sides is
to keep the war going. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
15-May-2000 12:00 PM EDT (15-May-2000 1600 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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