CHECHNYA: SECURITY TIGHTENED AFTER MASHADOV THREATS

(12 Feb 2000) Russian/Nat

Security in Russian-held areas of Chechnya has been tightened following threats, made on Friday by rebel president Aslan Maskhadov, to launch a partisan war.

Official sources in Moscow ridiculed Maskhadov's threats as 'propaganda'.

But troops at a checkpoint outside Achkoi-Martan, a town said to be under Russian control, confirmed that they had new orders to step up controls.

At a checkpoint outside the Chechen village of Achkoi-Martan, Russian soldiers were out in force and taking special precautions.

Only women and elderly men were allowed across the border on Saturday afternoon and only on foot.

Security was stepped up following threats from rebel president Aslan Maskhadov.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
'Because of Maskhadov's statement that he is starting a partisan war we have introduced stricter controls. That means at night 80 percent of the soldiers here are on duty at the checkpoint. We have also increased our checks on cars and checks for weapons, drugs, ammunition and those suspected of being Chechen fighters.'
SUPER CAPTION: Interior Ministry Special Forces soldier

And few Chechen men of fighting age were to be seen at the checkpoint, no doubt fearing detention as suspected rebels.

According to a pro-Russian Chechen official in Achkoi-Martan, who wished to remain anonymous, around 120 young Chechen men have been detained in the past few days in the nearby villages of Alkhan-Yurt and Shaami-Yurt.

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