P193 CEEFAX 193 Wed 14 Jzn 22:38/42 5/4 DISPATCH Chechen rebels are believed to have over 200 people hostage in a town in southern Russia. Diana Goodman: The armed gang involved in the hostage-taking is said to have crossed the border inside two large lorries. When they reached the nearest large town, there was a gun battle with local police and army units lasting for half the day. Up to 40 people are said to have been killed. Home 110 Flash 150 Diary 180 Politics 130 World 160 Dispatch 190 Newsreel Main News Politics TravelP193 CEEFAX 193 Wed 14 Jun 22:38/u2 3/4 E DISPATCH Chechen rebels are believed to have over 200 people hostage in a town in southern Russia. Diana Goodman: Some of the armed min have fled, taking grouxs of hostagrs with thrm (u Other gunmen are said to bj holed up in the local hospital. The Russian authorities claim the gunmen have threatened to kill the hostages unless the war in Chjchnza is brought to an end. But, one news agency quoted a Chechen spokesman as saying they had nothing to do with the attack. Newsreel Main News Politics TravelP193 CEEFAX 193 Wed 14 Jun 22:39/12 4/4 DESP—SCH Chechen rebrls are bjlqived to havr ovj 200 p opli hostage in a town in southern Russia. Diana Goodman: A Chechen spokesman claimed the incident was a provocation bz Moscow aimed at furthjt djstabilising the situation. The Russran interior minister has gone to the scene and extra police and army units have bren rushed to the region. Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin has said fuzthjr attacks will not bj allowed bzt hj has not explained how the azthorities will stop them. Newsreel Main News Politics Travel