DATE=7/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (S)
NUMBER=2-264244
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's security services are on heightened
alert around the breakaway Chechnya region following
an outbreak of bombings that killed at least eight
people and wounded scores of others. Correspondent
Peter Heinlein in Moscow reports the latest blasts are
being linked to Chechen rebels.
TEXT: Russia's interior ministry says the two most
recent explosions - one in the North Ossetia region
bordering Chechnya, the other in the southern city of
Rostov - may be connected to attempts by rebel groups
trying to boost morale among their fighters. Both
blasts occurred Sunday.
The twin bombings came just as a Chechen-rebel
commander promised a fresh round of surprise raids.
The Jordanian-born commander known as Khattab was
quoted on the rebel Internet site as saying the second
stage of a large-scale Chechen operation against
Russia is about to begin.
Tensions in the northern Caucuses region have risen
following a coordinated series of suicide bombings
this month that killed at least 50-people. Russia
responded with a sharp increase in air raids against
suspected Chechen rebel targets. Military sources
report more than 100-missions were flown over Chechnya
in the past two days. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
10-Jul-2000 07:30 AM EDT (10-Jul-2000 1130 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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