RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GROZNY: LATEST SITUATION

(11 Jan 1995) Russian/Nat General Dudayev’s offer of peace talks came as gunfire continued throughout his capital Grozny, despite a ceasefire ordered by Moscow. President Dudayev may have offered to hold peace talks Wednesday, but across his capital shots echoed through the streets. Chechen fighters blasted rounds of gunfire in the air. The ceasefire was all but forgotten. Shelling rocked the remains of the presidential palace, the symbol of Chechen independence. During a lull in the fighting Chechen rebels scrambled to reinforce the collapsing building. Russia has sent more troops into Chechnya but the spirits of the defenders of Grozny, old and young, appear to remain high. They will fight, say their leaders, until the bitter end. SOUNDBITE: “We will stay for our independence, till our death.“ SUPER CAPTION: Colonel Arsanmukaev, Military Commander of the Chechen Republic But it may not c