Military

DATE=10/24/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA-HOSTAGES SCENE (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-295628

BYLINE=LISA MCADAMS

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The hostage drama unfolding at a theatre in southeastern Moscow has dragged into a second day, with reports that Russian officials are now negotiating with the armed Chechen gunmen. VOA's Lisa McAdams spent the night at the scene and filed this report.

TEXT: (NAT SOUND OF POLICE)

About three hours into the stand-off, in the dead of night, Russian federal forces and police joined shoulder to shoulder to push back the growing crowd of onlookers.

Neither cold, nor rain could dampen the curiosity of the crowd, many of whom were family members struggling to get word about their loved ones.

Many expressed frustration that so far there was no official word on their family members' fate. They said were it not for the occasional mobile phone call allowed from inside the theatre,they would know nothing at all.

This woman was standing vigil for her sister.

/// FAMILY MEMBER ACTUALITY IN RUSSIAN ///

The woman says she spoke to her sister by mobile phone several times since the hostage-takers stormed the building, firing into the air. She told her sister she overheard the gunmen say they would not be firing any more shots, unless they themselves were fired upon by the hundreds of police on alert outside.

During nearly six hours on the scene, reporters heard only one brief burst of gunfire. But there are still no official reports of any casualties as day two of the stand-off approaches.

Just before dawn, police stepped up their efforts to tighten the perimeter around the building. It is a tough task, with numerous alleys and entry points to the places police are trying to block off.

Meanwhile, scores of buses were seen transporting the elderly from a nearby hospital to points unknown. It is not clear whether the people were being moved out of harm's way, or in order to make room for any potential casualties at the theater. (Signed)

NEB/LAM/FC