DATE=6/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECHYNA MASSACRE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263101
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
INTRO: A leading human rights organization is
accusing Russian troops of massacring civilians in
Chechnya earlier this year. The Washington Post and a
Russian human rights group (Memorial) are also
reporting these killings. V-O-A's David Swan has
details.
TEXT: The organization Human Rights Watch says Moscow
has failed to investigate or punish what is believed
to be the worst mass killing of the war. The group
says it happened February fifth in Aldi, a suburb of
Chechnya's devastated capital of Grozny. Rachel
Denber is a spokeswoman for Human Rights Watch in New
York.
// Denber act //
We have confirmed 60 people executed, 60 people
shot at close range. These aren't people who
were putting up resistance, this is not the
result of a firefight, it's just murder.
// end act //
The Human Rights Watch report says killing, rape and
arson were widespread that day. Ms Denber says that
like other such incidents, this one began with the
troops checking people's documents, but then turning
violent.
// Denber act //
Sometimes these executions were - seemed to have
been prompted by unmet demands for money or
jewelry. Sometimes they were prompted by (the
troops) having come across someone who had no
identity documents and sometimes neither of
these factors were present. It was just wanton,
indiscriminate, horrible violence.
// end act //
It is not fully clear which forces may have done the
killing. Human Rights Watch estimates about 150
Russian troops were in the area - mostly the Interior
Ministry's riot police (OMON) but also contract
soldiers, former servicemen who rejoin the military
for short periods. Ms Denber says there are also
reports that regular army soldiers were there, though
the Russian defense ministry denies it.
The report is based on what the organization calls
exhaustive interviews with residents of Aldi who fled
to Ingushetia. Russia has refused to allow outside
investigators into the Chechen region, including the
U-N high commissioner for human rights (Mary
Robinson). The government insists it will carry out
its own probe of any atrocities.
Human Rights Watch is urging President Clinton to put
the matter at the top of his agenda when he meets with
Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next few days.
U-S officials say Mr. Clinton will raise concerns, but
the summit is widely expected to focus on other issues
like arms control. (Signed)
NEB/DS/PT
02-Jun-2000 17:09 PM LOC (02-Jun-2000 2109 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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