Russia's Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov, has assured the European Union that civilians will not be bombed in Grozny.
In a 40-minute telephone conversation with his Finnish counterpart, Mr Tarja Halonen, on the eve of the Helsinki EU summit, Mr Ivanov said Monday's "get out or die" ultimatum was addressed only to Chechen rebels and that Russia wanted to open a dialogue with the EU on Chechnya. Mr Ivanov's assurance is the first clear indication that Saturday's deadline for civilians to leave the Chechen capital may be lifted.
Russia increased its firepower as the expected attack on Grozny approaches. Bombs and rockets rained down on the Chechen capital from up to 100 sorties by Russian warplanes yesterday but the generals and politicians continued to claim there was no threat to civilian life.
The Prime Minister, Mr Vladimir Putin, said the ultimatum aimed "to avert civilian casualties and keep federal losses to a minimum". Later he claimed that Western governments and organisations had misunderstood Russia's intentions and it had been Moscow's fault for not explaining them more clearly.
There was a further success for Russian forces when they captured the strategic town of Urus-Martan on the approaches to Grozny. This could raise hopes of complete military success and hasten the battle for Grozny.
A Russian success in Grozny before polling day in Russia's general elections on December 19th would have political as well as military consequences.
In Dublin yesterday the Government joined the welter of international protests over Russia's actions and threats. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, called in Russia's ambassador to Ireland, Mr Evgueni Mikhailov, to tell him of Ireland's "grave concern" over what was happening in Chechnya.
Mr Andrews said he had made clear to the Russian authorities that, in his capacity as chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, he would be prepared to visit both Moscow and Chechnya to assist in the restoration of human rights in the territory.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Walter Schwimmer, and the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities, Mr Max van der Stoel, in a joint statement, called for "everything possible" to be done to save innocent lives.
Only China, where President Yeltsin pays a state visit today and tomorrow, has given unequivocal support to Russia's actions.
