Скачать или смотреть CHECHNYA: CHECHEN MILITARY LEADER APPEARS TO HAVE WON ELECTIONS

(28 Jan 1997) Russian/Nat

The Chechen military leader who masterminded the defeat of Russian forces appeared to have won a decisive victory Tuesday in the presidential election.

With about 90 percent of the vote counted, unofficial results showed Aslan Maskhadov winning 63 percent of the vote, enough to give him an outright victory.

Maskhadov wants an independent Chechnya - but the Russian government promptly indicated it won't give in to demands for independence.

Aslan Maskhadov celebrated his election as Chechen President on Tuesday evening .

Maskhadov, the military leader who masterminded the defeat of Russian forces, had told APTV earlier he expected to win.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I didn't have any worries at all. Polls were showing a stable rating, somewhere between 60 and 62, 65 percent. And I expected it would be exactly like those polls."
SUPER CAPTION: Aslan Maskhadov, Former Rebel Leader

Maskhadov said that he's prepared to forget what opponents said about him during the election.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I have forgiven my opponents everything. I won't hold any grudges. They remain my comrades and friends. Elections are elections."
SUPER CAPTION: Aslan Maskhadov, Former Rebel Leader

In second place was Shamil Basayev, the 32-year old guerrilla leader who won fame for his daring attack on a hospital in Southern Russia two years ago.

A spokesman for the Basayev campaign, conceded Maskhadov was ahead.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I just came from the CEC and there they have results from only half of the 63 regions. By this information, yes, Maskhadov is leading for now. But the other half of the regions have not yet been counted. How on earth Maskhadov's people can claim victory based on these results I have no idea".
SUPERCAPTION: Aslambek Ishmailov, Basayev's spokesman

The ballot follows almost two years of war for Chechen independence.

While the fighting between separatist rebels and Russian troops ended without resolving the republic's political status, Chechens see the presidential vote as an opportunity to
formalise their break from Russia.

Russia has vowed to block Chechen secession, and the two sides appear headed for renewed confrontation if the Chechens move to cut all ties with Moscow.

Aslan Maskhadov, who supports independence from Russia, said today he was ready for direct talks with Russia.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin said in Moscow he was happy the elections had been held, but Chechnya had to remain part of Russia.

The Central Election Commission was expected to release official election results late on Tuesday.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...