DATE=7/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-264045
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces are intensifying security
precautions in Chechnya, following a series of suicide
bomb attacks that killed at least 50-people and
wounded hundreds. Correspondent Peter Heinlein in
Moscow reports a strict curfew is in effect throughout
the breakaway republic.
TEXT: Four of Chechnya's largest towns - including
the capital, Grozny - remain sealed off as
investigators search the wreckage left by Sunday's
five suicide bombs. The Itar-Tass news agency reports
18-people were arrested in connection with the
attacks, but it gives no details.
Television broadcasts are warning Chechens that anyone
seen on the streets after a sunset curfew will be shot
on sight. Security checkpoints are being reinforced
with extra troops and weapons, and barricades are
being constructed around other potential bomb targets.
Senior Russian officials suggest that bungling by
interior ministry forces made the suicide attacks
possible. Kremlin spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky says
that in at least one case, troops failed to comply
with security precautions ordered by military
commanders.
It remains unclear how many people died in the blasts,
but official sources say in addition to the military
casualties, at least 11-civilians were killed, along
with an unknown number of suicide bombers. Military
sources report the number of soldiers killed was less
than 50, but rebel spokesman Movladi Udugov claims
that more than 500 died.
In comments to news agencies, Mr. Udugov calls the
attacks the first phase of a campaign to regain
control over the region. He says hundreds more
volunteer suicide bombers are standing by, awaiting
orders to carry out further operations.
Russian officials are describing the suicide attacks
as terrorist acts. But a pro-Moscow Chechen leader,
Malik Saidulayev, describes the bombings as part of
the war against Russian rule in the breakaway
republic.
In comments broadcast on the privately-owned N-T-V
television channel, Mr. Saidulayev said - these are
not terrorists, they are people giving their lives to
show there is no peace in Chechnya".
/// REST OPT ///
Moscow's newspapers suggest the bombings are yet
another sign that Russian forces face a no-win
situation in Chechnya. The Segodnya daily, in an
article headlined - the machine of death starts up in
Chechnya - said - the tragedy shows that Moscow-
appointed administrators have no influence over the
fighters and are unable to control the region.
The Vremya M-N paper said - the (rebels) have clearly
shown who controls the situation in Chechnya - and the
Nezavizimaya Gazeta concluded that - federal forces
have neither the ability nor the will to lead the
military operation to a successful conclusion.
(SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
04-Jul-2000 08:56 AM EDT (04-Jul-2000 1256 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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