Chechnya - Grozny Exodus & Call To Defend Palace

(12 Dec 1994) THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS OF GROZNY ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE THE CITY SUNDAY FEARING AN ONSLAUGHT OF RUSSIAN TROOPS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S ORDERS TO DISARM ALL RIVAL SIDES IN THE BREAKAWAY REPUBLIC OF CHECHNYA. LINES OF CARS AND BUSES CARRYING WOMEN AND CHILDREN LINED UP TO LEAVE GROZNY IN SEARCH OF SAFER PLACES AMIDST REPORTS THAT RUSSIANS HAVE BEGUN FIRING IN SOME OF THE NEIGHBOURING REPUBLICS. MEANWHILE, IN THE CITY CENTRE, TENSIONS CONTINUED RISING AS SOLDIERS SURROUNDED THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN PREPARATION TO DEFEND IT AND CHECHEN ELDERS CONTINUED THEIR DAILY CALLS FOR THE DEFENCE OF CHECHEN INDEPENDENCE. SHOWS: GROZNY 11/12 DEMO IN FREEDOM SQUARE IN GROZNY CENTER, VARIOUS SHOTS DEMO, SOLDIERS WITH GUNS ON GUARD AROUND SQUARE, SOLDIERS WITH ROCKET LAUNCHERS, WS LINE OF CARS LEAVING CITY, VARIOUS SHOTS WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN CARS AS SOLDIERS STOP CARS TO INSPECT THEM.