RUSSIA: CHECHYNA: DZHOKHAR DUDAYEV PRESS CONFERENCE

(20 Jan 1995) Russian/Nat

Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev says the capture of his presidential palace in Grozny by the Russians hasn't crushed resistance in the breakaway republic.

Speaking at a press conference last night, (Thursday) General Dudayev claimed President Yeltsin had lost control of the Chechnya crisis.

Dudayev also warned that the Russian Security Council would seize control of the Chechnya campaign and target nuclear weapons on the breakaway republic.

Speaking for the first time since the Russian flag was raised over the presidential palace, the Chechen leader declared Moscow had lost control of the war.

SOUNDBITE:

Not Yeltsin, or even Chernomyrdin, control the situation here in Grozny, and especially the party of war Russian Security Council which is not managed by the President or Prime Minister. The party of war committed big crimes with this war and they want to shun the responsibility now. But they try to do more and more shelling, air attacks etc. On the day of the ceasefire, January 18 1995, they attacked Grozny by air using 3, 6, and 9 ton bombs. The destroying power of these bombs is equal to a small nuclear bomb.
SUPER CAPTION: Dzhokhar Dudayev

Dudayev went on to say he believed the Security Council would aim nuclear weapons at the breakaway republic.

SOUNDBITE:

The Security Council is trying to do even a more ugly crime. They are going to use a small nuclear bomb. They are trying to close a circle around Grozny. They won't let any international monitors in. After they use this nuclear weapon they will be in control. Chechnya is just the beginning. Never in the history of man has the threat to use nuclear weapons been greater.

SUPER CAPTION: Dzhokhar Dudayev

Dudayev said he had spoken to a number of Western leaders and tried to explain to them what was happening in Grozny.

Moscow has refused to talk to Dudayev who was then driven off to a secret hideaway.

Earlier in the day Thursday more Russian troops headed into Grozny.

Chechen fighters, who have abandoned the presidential palace, say they will defend the city inch by inch.

Even though they have seized the palace, the symbol of Chechen resistance, the war appears far from over.

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