Скачать или смотреть CHECHNYA: ELECTION PREVIEW (2)

(19 Mar 2000) Russian/Nat

VOICED BY: Vera Frankl

Just a week before Russia's early presidential elections, wartorn Chechnya is itself preparing to go to the polls.

Chechen civilians are likely to vote for Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov.

But with the backing of the military and widespread support in Russia it victory seems certain for acting president Vladimir Putin.

VOICE OVER:

0000 Six months after Russia initiated its latest military action in Chechnya, soldiers and civilians there are preparing to vote in the Russian presidential elections.

Most of the region is under Russian control now and any Chechen hopes for independence have been dashed.

0016 Some polling booths have been set up in bombed out buildings, where Chechens will be able to have their say about who will lead Russia in the future.

0024 Of the twelve candidates, communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov is expected to capture many Chechen votes.

0027 He's running against acting president Vladimir Putin who initiated the war.

0033 Russian soldiers in Chechnya have already started voting in early polls. They, like the majority of people in Russia, support Putin.

0042 The acting president's predicted popularity in the ballot has been linked to the war in Chechnya - and to Putin's insistence on using military might to crush Chechen rebels.

0054 But not everyone in Chechnya will bother to show up to vote, like these women, whose home was bombed out during the conflict.

0100 SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"It doesn't matter to us who's elected," this woman says. "Putin, Zuganov, whoever. As long as there isn't any war."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop, Fatima

But while calm has returned to much of Chechnya the war continues in the south of the province. And the prospect of a normal life seems far away indeed.

VISION ENDS: 1:19

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