CHECHNYA-REFUGEES: Russian Intervention Brings Massive Exodus
GENEVA, Dic 20 (IPS) - Russian military intervention in the separatist Republic of Chechnya has resulted in a massive exodus consisting mostly of women, children and the elderly, reported the International Committee of the Red Cross here Tuesday.
Suzanne Berger, Red Cross spokeswoman, agreed with reports that Russian bombing attacks against Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, were intensifying, as Moscow's siege of the city tightened. Some 10 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday as a result of bombing raids by Russian jets.
According to the Red Cross, 70,000 people have abandoned the zones under attack, 60,000 of whom have taken refuge in neighbouring Ingushetia and some 10,000 have fled to Daghestan.
Berger said the exodus of Chechnyans to the neighouring republics was growing. On Saturday the Red Cross distributed medicaments for the 700 wounded in Grozny.
It has also been sending blankets and food to the Republic of Daghestan. Red Cross officials in the zone are based in Nalchik, in the Kabardino-Balkarie Republic.
The Russian forces sent by President Boris Yeltsin on Dec. 11 continued Tuesday their march towards the Chechnyan capital, and were now less than 10 kms from Grozny, according to news reports broadcast by Swiss radio and television.
Monday night Chechnyan President Djokar Dudayev made a new appeal for the opening of negotiations, but refused to disarm his supporters, as Moscow has been demanding. A United Nations spokesman here in Geneva admitted Tuesday admitted he did not know whether there were international human rights observers deployed in the region invaded by Russia.
Although Moscow has indicated that the refugees are receiving the appropriate aid -- including temporary shelter, winter clothing, blankets and medicaments -- the local authorities admit that the Russian organisations are not prepared for this emergency.
The authorities of Ingushetia predicted the final number of refugees fleeing from Chechnya would be more than 100,000. Though these refugees are mostly Russians, people of other nationalities and religions, including Muslims, are also abandoning the republic under siege, said the Red Cross.
According to observers, there seems to be no possibility of a negotiated solution to the conflict between Moscow and Grozny. Russian President Boris Yeltsin appears to be prepared to use all he force necessary to overthrow Dudayev's government.
© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service