TENSE WAITING IN CHECHNYA.

The Russian side also describes as a "terrorist attack" the September 20 explosion of an oil tank in a Grozny oil-processing plant. Russian troops responded with artillery fire against presumed Chechen positions nearby, and by strengthening the presence of Russian forces in and around the Chechen capital. Yesterday Chechen chief of staff Aslan Maskhadov said that his forces rejected the Russian deadline requiring them to begin handing in their heavy weapons. Maskhadov said that in response to the Russian ultimatum, he has ordered Chechen heavy weapons brought back to combat positions. He said, however, that the Chechen side will continue consultations with the Russian side on the military issues, in accordance with the armistice agreement. (2)

Response to UN Bosnia Resolution.