Chechnya/Russia - Reaction to election results

(28 Jan 1997) T/I: 10:18:51 A top Chechen military leader who played a key role in the defeat of Russian forces appeared headed Tuesday (28/1) for a decisive victory in Chechnya's presidential election, according to campaign officials. Earlier, Russian presidential hopeful Alexander Lebed said it appeared Chechnya apparently had a new president, Aslan Maskhadov, but refrained from saying how this would affect the peace process. SHOWS: CHECHNYA, RUSSIA, 28/1 WS Grozny; Cars past Tank blockade; Street scenes outside Central Election commission; CU sign on Central election commission building; MS Ballot boxes unloaded; Carried into counting headquarters; VS troops outside; SOT, Press Secretary Mayerbek Vakhchagayev (in russian) saying according to data so far Maskhadov will be the president of Chechnya. He has 58 percent of the vote while his main opponent has 30 percent. That's why we know Maskhadov will be the next president; VS marketplace; WS bombed building; VOXPOPs (in russian) I am happy that my father is going to win.. I worked with him; VOXPOP: (in russian) I am very happy. We are going to have a good president VOXPOP: (in russian) Maskhadov winning is good for me; VOXPOP: (in russian) officially the elections are not over yet..; CU television; Man watching broadcast; VS people watching broadcast MOSCOW, RUSSIA Ws car in street, MS cameraman; Alexander Lebed commented that Chechnya apparently had a new president, Aslan Maskhadov, and that he had also facilitated the release of two Russian Television journalists, who had been abducted by Chechen gunmen; 3.15 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...