60000    Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the 28th held a press conference with Cabinet reporters for the new year at his official residence and said of the New Democratic League members' move to break away from the Socialist Party of Japan, "It will not affect the administration. Even if there are some who will actually leave the party, I think the move would not extend any further," indicating that this issue would not result in the formation of a mass breakaway group.

60001    He also responded negatively to the possibility of dissolution of the House of Representatives and general elections before the end of 1995, and clearly denied a cabinet reshuffle would take place prior to the ordinary Diet session scheduled to be convened on the 20th.

60002    Russian troops which advanced on the Chechen capital of Grozny, mounted an offensive on the central area of the capital with armored vehicles, setting several buildings, including the presidential palace, on fire.

60003    The Russian force seems to have reached its final stage to take control of the capital.

60004    According to a report from Grozny, after intense aerial bombardments and artillery strikes by Russian forces, Russian armored troops advanced to the vicinity of the presidential palace.

60005    They are engaged in fierce street battles with President Dudayev's troops in front of the palace.

60006    Meanwhile, the capital defense commander of the Dudayev regime announced in a televised speech that defense of the capital was under control and they had destroyed fifty Russian tanks.

60007    Also, President Dudayev was said to be safe, taking refuge in a bomb shelter together with the delegation from the Russian Federal Assembly with whom he had been negotiating.

60008    President Dudayev proposed a ceasefire for the New Year on the night of the 30th, but this was met with silence from the Russian side.