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 'The BBC's Andrew Harding"The Russian army is in no mood to listen"  real 28k  Chechen representative Salih Brandt''The only people who wil be affected by the bombardment will be innocent civilians''  real 28kThe BBC's Richard Lister in Washington"Some of President Clinton's toughest comments yet" real 28k |
'Russia will pay for Chechnya'
Russia is threatening a massive assault on Grozny |
There has been strong international condemnation of Russia's threat to launch an all-out assault on the Chechen capital, Grozny.
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On Monday, Russia gave civilians until Saturday to get out of Grozny or risk being killed in an all-out air and artillery bombardment.
US President Bill Clinton said Russia would "pay a heavy price" for its war in Chechnya, which he said would fuel anti-Russian feeling in the region and harm Moscow's standing abroad.
 Russia's fight against terrorism is right, but the methods being used in Chechnya are wrong and I am convinced they are counter-productive  |
| Bill Clinton |
"Russia will pay a heavy price for those actions, with each passing day sinking more deeply into a morass that will intensify extremism and diminish its own standing in the world.''
But Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rebuffed the criticism saying there would be no talks with Grozny unless the militants released their hostages. Reports did not make clear which ''hostages'' he was referring to.
Elderly and wounded
Human rights groups said many of the remaining population in Grozny were elderly or wounded and in no condition to escape.
There will be no more talks. All those who do not leave the city will be destroyed. The countdown has started |
| Russian leaflet |
He said there were fears the Russians might use vacuum bombs which suck out the air from people's lungs, even if they are hiding in bunkers.
'Chilling threat'
Chechen government representative Salih Brandt said most of those left behind in Grozny were ''too old, too weak or too injured from previous bombardments'' to leave.
Refugees are still fleeing |
The EU also urged Russia to end what they called disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force in Chechnya.
It said Brussels was considering not signing accords with Moscow in order to pressure Russia to end the bloodshed.
British foreign minister Robin Cook described Moscow's warnings as "chilling". He said the planned attack would endanger many innocent civilians and do nothing to solve Russia's long term security problems.
Security corridor
Leaflets dropped over Grozny by Russian warplanes on Monday warned that anyone remaining in the city after the deadline would be considered an enemy target and destroyed.
A wounded Russian gives a victory sign |
"The united troop command gives you a last chance. Until 11 December, there will be a safety corridor through the village of Pervomaiskoye.
"Those who remain will be viewed as terrorists and bandits. They will be destroyed by artillery and aviation.''
The leaflet said those who left Grozny would be offered housing, food and ''most importantly, life''.
Moscow says it wants to wipe out separatist rebels in predominantly Muslim Chechnya.
A delegation from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which groups 50 Muslim countries, has left for the region in an attempt to avert the assualt.
Muslims are particularly worried that the promised offensive will coincide with the start of the Ramadan holy festival.
Blockade
Chechen officials say nearly 50,000 people are still in Grozny.
However, Russian military commanders say the city is almost entirely occupied by separatist fighters.
One senior military figure said there were no more than 1,000 civilians in Grozny - and they were being held as human shields.
Russian forces say they are now completing their blockade of Urus-Martan, to the south of the capital.
Moscow blames separatist rebels in the breakaway republic for incursions into Dagestan and for bomb attacks on Russian apartment blocks.
About 220,000 Chechens have fled their homes since the start of the Russian military operation, now in its 10th week
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See also: |
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07 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Putin rebuffs Chechnya warnings |
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25 Nov 99 | Europe |
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Analysis: Russia's fighting tactics |
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06 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Ultimatum sparks Grozny exodus |
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06 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Leave or die, Chechens told |
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05 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Russia denies killings during Grozny assault |
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04 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Russia 'seals off' Grozny |
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04 Dec 99 | Europe |
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'Russians fired on refugees' |
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01 Dec 99 | Europe |
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Chechens 'using human shields' |
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Internet links: |
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Kavkaz Centre (Chechen war reports in Russian) |
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Russian Government |
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Chechen Republic Online |
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Human Rights Watch |
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