DATE=8/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265170
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian military officials say Chechen rebels
are preparing for wide scale attacks against federal
positions ahead of the four-year anniversary of the
Chechen victory over Russian troops in 1996. As
Moscow correspondent Eve Conant reports, the coming
days are honored by separatists as marking Chechnya's
independence from Russia.
TEXT: The press service of Russia's military command
says rebels have been issuing leaflets in Chechnya's
Nozhai-Yurt region, warning civilians to leave their
homes ahead of large scale attacks against Russian
administrative facilities and military units.
There was no confirmation, however, from Chechen
sources.
Russian military officials said the leaflets warned
civilians to leave their homes between August 5th and
7th. The Interfax news agency quoted the leaflets as
saying "armed actions will be carried out" during
those days, which commemorate the defeat of Russian
troops by Chechen separatists four years ago.
Russian troops withdrew from Chechnya in 1996 after
rebels successfully recaptured the capital Grozny.
The rebel victory marked the end of a two-year civil
war that left Chechnya with de-facto independence.
Moscow's current military campaign to re-occupy
Chechnya has been under way for one year, with Chechen
guerrillas once again staging ambushes against poorly
trained Russian troops.
Independent reports said that when Russia's military
was preparing to re-take Grozny this year, troops
dropped leaflets over the city warning Chechens to
leave the city immediately or face certain death.
(Signed)
NEB/EC/DW/JP
05-Aug-2000 08:08 AM LOC (05-Aug-2000 1208 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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