RUSSIA: RUSSIAN MILITARY CONTINUES ITS WITHDRAWAL AS PEACE EFFORTS IN CHECHNYA CREEP FORWARD

Record ID: 350371

  • Title: RUSSIA: RUSSIAN MILITARY CONTINUES ITS WITHDRAWAL AS PEACE EFFORTS IN CHECHNYA CREEP FORWARD
  • Date: 28th August 1996
  • Summary: GROZNY, CHECHNYA, RUSSIA (AUGUST 28, 1996) (RTV (A) - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/MV: RUSSIAN TROOPS ON TANKS DRIVING FROM ARMY BASE (7 SHOTS) 0.45 2. GV/MCU: TWIGS BEHIND TANKS TO WIPE AWAY TRACKS (2 SHOTS) 0.53 3. GV: RUSSIAN TROOPS AT CHECK POINT (2 SHOTS) 1.02 4. MV: RUSSIAN AND CHECHEN FIGHTERS LOOKING AT MAPS (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 12th September 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GROZNY, CHECHNYA, RUSSIA
  • Reuters ID: LVABB6HV46M7RU8AP1C4HQK7AKV1
  • Story Text: INTRO: Truckloads of Russian soldiers have started pulling out of Chechnya's capital Grozny past cheering rebel fighters as peace efforts creep forward in the breakaway republic.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Russian commander in Chechnya, Lieutenant General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, said on Wednesday (August 28) the military withdrawal would be completed by August 31.

    The withdrawal comes despite claims of overnight truce violations by separatist rebels.

    Russians heading for the neighbouring Republic of Dagestan had attached bouqets of leaves and branches to the rear of their trucks to sweep away their tracks - a symbolic gesture showing they do not intend to return.

    The Chechen rebels headed for their base at the village of Shatoi.

    As Russian troops prepared to leave, Chechen and Russian commanders met to discuss the final pull-out plans.

    The sight of hundreds of Russian tanks and military vehicles pulling out of Grozny would have been unthinkable this time last week when thousands of the city's inhabitants were fleeing their homes fearing a storming of the city by Russian forces.

    Russian Chechen commander, Letchi Mauchaev, however, expressed doubts that Russia would uphold their end of the peace deal.

    "I can't say the war has ended, but there won't be provocation from our side," he said.


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