RADUEV CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAR EAST EXPLOSION.

Renegade Chechen field commander Salman Raduev told journalists in Djohar-gala yesterday that his "Army of General Dudaev" was responsible for the explosion that took place last month at military depots in the Jewish Autonomous oblast. At the time, the Russian military said the blast was ignited accidentally. Raduev, who said he had just returned from treatment abroad following an assassination attempt, repeated his threat to carry out terrorist attacks against Russian military facilities until Russia recognizes Chechnya’s independence. (Itar-Tass, AP, May 1)

Candidate for Russian Ground Forces Command.