CHECHEN BORDER: RUSSIAN FLAG FLYING OVER GUDERMES

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(12 Nov 1999) Voice and effects VOICED BY: Richard Vaughan Russian troops have tightened their hold on the breakaway region of Chechnya. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says the Russian flag is flying over the breakaway region's second-largest city, Gudermes, after infantry units moved in on Friday. But while Western criticism grows at the increasing number of civilian victims, Russia's defence minister has blasted the United States in one of the harshest public anti-American statements since the Soviet collapse. VOICE-OVER: 0.00 Russia says its army was welcomed warmly as infantry moved into Gudermes. 0.06 There was resistance, however -- albeit futile. 0.09 Capturing Chechnya's second largest city is a big prize for Russia, which some say is looking to regain complete control over the breakaway region. And while the United States has made its position clear on how brutally that's being achieved, 0.22 the voice of Russia's Defence Minister, Igor Sergeyev, has been just as emphatic. In a stinging attack reminiscent of a Cold War era, he accused the U-S of exacerbating the Chechen conflict for its own political gain. 0.36 SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "It is in the national interest of the U-S for a continual conflict in the Northern Caucuses. In that case Russia will have to use it resources to extinguish the conflict and not to develop its weapons. Under these conditions the U-S would establish control in the region. It is in our interests in the region to put an end to terrorism especially since we are a military power" SUPER CAPTION: Igor Sergeyev, Russian Defence Minister 0.38 With continued conflict in the northern Caucasus, he said, Russia would have no time to develop weapons, and under those conditions the U-S would establish control in the region. 0.50 With Gudermes taken, Russian forces continue to bomb and rocket towns across Chechnya. 0.56 The capital Grozny has been hit hard by heavy air strikes, reportedly destroying military bases and a weapons depot. The Kremlin, which claims to be hunting Islamic extremists in Chechnya, says it's still open to resolution talks. 1.09 For thousands fleeing across the border to the tiny republic of Ingushetia, such talks couldn't come soon enough. 1.16 SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "The military authorities and the political authorities admit there have been tragic mistakes. They exist and we should answer for our mistakes. We are sorry and express our condolences to those who have suffered from those mistakes. " SUPER CAPTION: Igor Chabdurasulov, Presidential Spokesman 1.18 There have been tragic mistakes, the Kremlin admits. They exist, and the Kremlin should answer to them. 1.26 More than four thousand refugees are said to be fleeing Chechnya daily, but only a small fraction are housed in refugee camps. With the oppressive Russian winter blanketing these depressed communities, most are living in abandoned buildings, mosques and even cemeteries -- cold, hungry and uncertain of their future. VISION ENDS: 1:47 Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: