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 presid