CHECHNYA/INGUSHETIA: RUSSIA/CHECHNYA CONFLICT UPDATE

(7 Jan 2000) Russian/Nat The Russian military operation in Chechnya continued on Friday - despite promises from Moscow that it would suspend some of its attacks on the capital Grozny. Moscow’s intentions appeared unclear after a senior military official, Lieutenant General Gennady Troshev announced the easing of the Grozny campaign - but then went on to say the offensive would continue. Russian leaders have been promising imminent victory in Chechnya but resistant rebel fighters and bad weather are taking their toll on worn-out paratroopers. As the fighting goes on, Chechen refugees continue to flee across the border to Ingushetia -- at least those who can make it through the shelling. After overrunning the northern plains of Chechnya with little trouble, the Russian military now faces the far more difficult challenge of taking on the rebels in the southern mountains. For weeks, the Russian military has been sending its best units into the southern