CHECHEN BOARDER: CHAOS AS CIVILIANS FLEE CONFLICT

(14 Dec 1999) Russian/Eng/Nat As Russian federal forces continue their advance deeper into Chechnya, citizens of the breakaway republic are being forced to flee the fighting and move into neighbouring territories. On Tuesday, refugees were being taken across the border into Ingushetia on trucks organised by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Both the refugees and aid workers say that many others are being left behind. Chaos reigns at the Ingush-Chechen border as hundreds of refugees from Grozny flood out of the province, some three days after the deadline ordering them to leave passed. They say relentless bombing by Russian airplanes has driven them from their homes. In many cases what’s left of their homes have been taken over by Russian troops. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) “We asked the Russian soldiers not to take our belongings but they took everything. I left everything at home, for seven children and two old men. E