CHECHEN FIGHTERS RETURN HOME, RELEASE HOSTAGES.

After an all-day halt in Daghestan, the Chechen unit led by Shamil Basayev finally reached the Chechen village of Dargo late June 20, Russian radio reported. During the day, Basayev asked for additional guarantees from Prime Minister Chernomyrdin and Russian military officials, but reportedly was turned down. Just before arriving in Dargo, the Chechens released the 123 voluntary “hostages” who had served as their security guarantee in route. The Chechens may have delayed their arrival until nightfall because of fears that Russian forces might attack as soon as the hostages were released, Izvestiya reported June 21. The Chechens were greeted as heroes by the local population.

One person who was not released on June 20, or reported about again, was Fred Cuny, the American aid specialist who has been missing in the region since April 9.

The Fallout of Budennovsk in Moscow.