DATE=7/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-264098
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia is bracing for what it fears will be a
new round of attacks by Chechen rebels as the country
begins burying victims of Sunday's suicide truck bombs
that killed at least 50 people. V-O-A's Peter
Heinlein reports security is being tightened in Moscow
and other cities.
TEXT: Police in the Russian capital are on heightened
alert, amid warnings that Chechen suicide bombers are
planning strikes outside the breakaway region.
Officers are working 12-hour shifts, all leave has
been cancelled, and additional officers are stationed
at highway checkpoints, train stations, and airports.
Federal forces say they have rounded up hundreds of
suspects in connection with the truck bombings. A
nighttime curfew remains in effect across Chechnya.
Officers are instructed to shoot violators on sight.
The security measures took effect as funeral services
were held for the first 10 victims of Sunday's suicide
bomb attacks.
President Vladimir Putin's envoy to southern Russia,
former army general Viktor Kazantsev, called the
bombings an act of desperation.
/// KAZANTSEV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE
UNDER ///
He says "These kamikaze attacks and other signs are
last-ditch attempts by the rebels to prove that they
still exist." He added, "they are trying to frighten
us."
A Kremlin spokesman says Russian warplanes and
helicopter gunships stepped up activity over Chechnya
to their highest levels in several weeks.
Nevertheless, federal troops appear a long way from
establishing control over the breakaway region.
Officials in Moscow confirm there have been gun
battles and attacks against Russian positions, and a
rebel internet website is reporting an ambush in which
several soldiers were killed.
The report, like most news from Chechnya, could not
be confirmed. Journalists operating in the region say
the latest curfew has severely limited their
movements.
But a rebel spokesman was quoted Wednesday as
threatening more suicide bombings unless Moscow agrees
within 72-hours to hand over an army colonel accused
of raping and murdering a Chechen woman. The
spokesman said Chechen civilians are being warned to
stay at least five kilometers away from Russian
installations.
Officials in Moscow are blaming lax security for
Sunday's suicide bombings. The head of Russia's
Federal Security Service says local commanders failed
to heed warnings from intelligence agencies that
attacks were being planned. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/JP
05-Jul-2000 10:47 AM EDT (05-Jul-2000 1447 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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