Word: chechen
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...nature abhors a vacuum, so too does the Kremlin. Yeltsin's latest disappearance overlapped the humiliating attack by Chechen separatists that gave them back control of their capital, Grozny. The President's absence allowed his fractious advisers to play out their own power struggle with the lives of thousands of Chechen civilians and Russian soldiers. Conflicting views within the Russian government about how to respond produced astounding zigzags in policy. Even as the Chechen war seemed to subside at week's end with dramatic news of a truce and maybe even a peace agreement, there was a sense that...
Lebed was then dealt a severe setback when, on Wednesday, Pulikovsky jumped the gun and began pounding the Chechen capital with heavy artillery, bombs and rockets, at least 12 hours before his deadline. Thousands of panicked civilians trying to flee were caught in the cross fire. As the bombardment intensified, Lebed sped to Grozny to renew talks with Aslan Maskhadov, the Chechen military commander, calling the Russian offensive "a bad joke." He quickly "guaranteed" there would be "no storming of Grozny" and he would "see to it" that the Russian generals obeyed...
GROZNY, Russia: Thousands of weary Russian soldiers continued their withdrawal from the Chechen capital of Grozny Thursday, and on the other side of the city, about 1,900 jubilant rebels pulled out as well. The withdraw could be complete as early as Saturday, barring any new violence or other delays. The Chechens also returned 16 Russian prisoners of war. The pullout is taking place under the terms of an agreement brokered last week by security chief Alexander Lebed, and rebel forces are also supposed to withdraw from some areas of the city. Lebed, who is in Moscow after briefing Prime...
...that case he must love Chechnya. Expecting a quick victory, Yeltsin sent the Russian army in 20 months ago to put down the Chechens' independence drive; it has been a tragic mess ever since. Russian artillery and bombs have blasted cities and villages to rubble, but the ill-trained Russian infantry has proved no match for the fast-moving, highly motivated Chechens. In a ferocious surprise attack begun Aug. 6 to embarrass Yeltsin at his inaugural, Chechen fighters succeeded in reversing the course of the war, driving thousands of Russian troops--and desperate civilians--out of Grozny, inflicting hundreds...
...criticism Lebed has absorbed in recent days from President Boris Yeltsin and other government officials. A meeting with Chernomyrdin is unlikely to help Lebed's cause; the Prime Minster already distrusts Lebed as an ambitious newcomer. While politicians in Moscow plot, there is already stress on the fragile pact: Chechens troops attacked and disarmed a Russian convoy near the Chechen capital Grozny, reportedly without inflicting a single casualty. Russian commanders demanded a return of the weapons, threatening to cut off talks and end their withdrawal. The rebels said the arms will be returned, but their point was made. The assault...