RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN TROOPS ON BORDER

(7 Dec 1994) Eng/Russian/Natsot

With his troops and armour still firmly in place on the border with Chechnya, Russian President Boris Yeltsin has warned warring factions in the breakaway republic to lay down their arms before December 15.

There was no sign Wednesday of Moscow pulling back its forces despite yesterday's from Russia's Defence Minister that the army wouldn't be used to resolve the crisis.

Following that assurance, the Chechens released more Russian soldiers, captured during fighting between rebel and government forces in the capital, Grozny.

Despite promises of a diplomatic solution to fighting in Chechnya, there were no signs Wednesday of any Russian troops being withdrawn from the border with the breakaway republic.

Moscow sealed its frontiers with Chechnya on Monday, after launching several air raids against the breakaway republic.

The Russians have accused President Dudayev of allowing his republic to become a haven for criminals and of fostering unrest in the region.

For his part, Dudayev accuses the Russians of backing rebels trying to topple him administration..

Yesterday's talks did prompt an immediate response from the Chechens - the release of more Russian soldiers who were captured during an abortive assault on the capital Grozny ten days ago.

A nine-member Russian parliamentary delegation led by liberal reformer Gregory Yavlinsky had been in Grozny negotiating their release.

SOUNDBITE
"The whole people that are here will be released. Today will be released seven people and seven people will be released by guarantees of the Minister of Defence Mr Grachev."

SUPER CAPTION: Gregory Yavlinsky, Russian parliamentarian

The prisoners were rounded up and taken by bus to the airport.

Members of the delegation, which had criticised the Russian intervention, called for a political settlement to the standoff.

SOUNDBITE
"All the hostages will be released now. This is the end of our mission and the beginning of negotiations."

SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Ushenkov, Chairman of Duma Defence Committee

SOUNDBITE
"We are sending these prisoners back to Russia to their mothers. We don't want their mothers to think of Chechens as killers. Chechens are good people."

SUPER CAPTION: Chechen Guard

The Chechen authorities also agreed to release the bodies of five Russian servicemen killed in the fighting.

Moscow says the remaining seven soldiers were also released a few hours ago

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