DATE=5/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262972
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces say they have encircled at
least four hundred Chechen rebels in the region's
southern mountains. Officials say Chechen rebels
killed five Russian soldiers and wounded seven in
clashes on Monday. Moscow correspondent Eve Conant
reports.
TEXT: Russia's military says it has hundreds of
rebels trapped in Chechnya's southern mountains
bordering Dagestan. Federal officials say the
operation is part of a renewed drive to oust the
fighters from their mountain bases.
Russian news agencies quoted officials as saying
dozens of rebels had been killed in the operation,
which is focusing air and artillery attacks in
southeastern and eastern Chechnya.
Russian commander Gennady Troshev said the new
offensive resulted in more than 50 rebel casualties on
Monday.
///Act Troshev in Russian in full and fade under///
He says, "We have destroyed 54 fighters. We have seen
that many dead bodies so that does not include the
wounded or dead that the rebels have taken with them."
The rebels are also hitting back in federally-
controlled territory, staging one attack on troops in
southwestern Chechnya Monday that Russian officials
said killed several soldiers. Russia's military denied
there had been an "ambush" but said heavy fighting had
taken place and that more than 15 rebels had been
killed.
Chechen rebels say they killed more than 40 Russian
soldiers in fighting on Sunday. However, both sides
tend to exaggerate enemy casualties and the figures
could not be verified.
In a separate development Tuesday, Russia's top envoy
to Chechnya, Nikolai Koshman announced he had fired
Bislan Gantemirov who for months had been leading a
pro-Moscow Chechen militia. The envoy said Mr.
Gantemirov was fired for not fulfilling his duties and
failing to appear for work. (Signed)
NEB/EC/GE/ENE/KBK
30-May-2000 12:44 PM EDT (30-May-2000 1644 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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