"Express-Chronika" No 1457, February 4, 1995

"WE CAN PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION ONLY IN CASE OF ARMISTICE",-- declares a deputy of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Roline Vavre, who is currently in Narzanj. That is declared in press release of ICRC of February 3. "During last several weeks the situation in Grozny didn't allow representatives of ICRC provide trapped citizens any humanitarian help,"-- the press release informs. Also, there is no possibility to transport away the wounded and dead bodies. According to ICRC, number of suffered of battles in other regions of Chechnia is more than 4,000, while number of seriously wounded increases day to day. "Although we can access victims of the conflict in many regions of Chechnia, absence of security and administrative problems often hinder our activity,"-- said Roline Vavre.

As for today, first-need things -- provision, blankets, clothing, and plastic cover for tents -- are distributed between 30,000 people. The neat airplane with humanitarian help of 20 tones of medical materials will be sent to Chechnia on February 7.

ICRC has obtained an allowance to visit 56 people captured by Chechen side. At this time 36 foreign deputies and 15 drivers participate in this operation in North Caucuses. Most of them base in Narzanj and go to Chechnia with different missions every day.