Russia says Chechen war nears end as new assault begins

February 18, 2000
Web posted at: 4:32 a.m. EST (0932 GMT)

In this story: Rebels say they're holding defensive positions Grozny civilians scarce West calls for international monitors Putin promises annihilation RELATED STORIES, SITES

From wire reports

GROZNY, Russia -- Russian military leaders are expressing confidence that their combat operation in the province of Chechnya is nearly over, while their forces target Chechen rebels holed up in a gorge near the region's southern mountains.

As Russian soldiers paraded before him in a ceremony Monday in Grozny, Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev said his troops were trying to prevent an ambush by surrounding thousands of rebels said to be in the Argun gorge.

"The final phase of the operation to destroy the armed groups and terrorist groups who tried to destroy Russia is coming to an end," Sergeyev told troops.

Sergeyev called the ceremony to promote his top commander in Chechnya, Gen. Viktor Kazantsev.

Waves of Russian bombers on Monday slammed the entrance to the gorge.

Russia sent troops into Chechnya last September, after Chechnya-based Islamic militants invaded Dagestan. The Chechens also are blamed for four apartment bombings in Russia in September that killed some 300 people.

Rebels say defensive positions holding

The rebel Web site Kavkaz.org reiterated that fighters had pulled back from a key village, Duba-Yurt, at one end of the gorge.

"Despite the two-month-long siege of Duba-Yurt, the Russian aggressors have not managed to break through Chechen defensive positions," the Web site said. It also reported fighting near Kharsenoi east of the gorge.

Russian authorities are clearly concerned about a rebel resurgence. Rebel bands continue to mount sporadic raids on Russian-held towns and officials have repeatedly said the rebels are believed to be preparing wide attacks for Wednesday.

That day is both the Russian Defender of the Fatherland holiday and the day that Chechens commemorate the bitter memories of the 1944 mass deportation of Chechens to Central Asia under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

Grozny civilians scarce

In Grozny, Emergency Situations Ministry workers were burying bodies retrieved from basements where most civilians hid during the Russian bombardment. Almost no civilians have been visible on the streets since the military sealed the city and prohibited all civilian traffic until at least March 1.

The Kremlin's main Chechnya spokesman, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, said the city's civilian population had plunged to just 9,883 people. Since the blockade was imposed last week, 11,127 people have fled the Chechen capital, he said.

West calls for international monitors

Meanwhile Western leaders continued to criticize Moscow's military campaign in Chechnya, accusing Russian troops of using excessive force against civilians, sometimes resulting in deaths.

In Brussels, European Union External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten called for international monitors to be based in the region.

His call was echoed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson who also said Russia should come up with a "credible response" to mounting allegations of abuses.

Moscow has strongly rejected allegations that women have been raped and suspected rebels tortured. Russia's Acting President Vladimir Putin appointed a human rights representative for Chechnya last week, who was due to give a news conference Tuesday.

Putin promises annihilation

At the Kremlin Monday, Putin said the offensive would continue until the rebels are annihilated.

The war "will be brought to its logical end," when there are no militants left in Chechnya and the small republic is brought back under Moscow's control.

Putin made the comments at an awards ceremony, where he promoted the heads of Russia's air force and navy.

Copyright The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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