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.

60009    The outline of the New Year's press conference of Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama was as follows.

60010    For the time being, there are important issues regarding administrative reform, especially on deregulation, review of government-affiliated corporations, and the decentralization of authority.

60011    Our country has to convene the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as the host country this autumn.

60012    No political vacuum can be permitted when we have urgent and significant problems both in and out of Japan.

60013    As we are in a sensitive stage when economy is recovering, I consider that it is not appropriate to dissolve the Diet at this point.

60014    "The concept of a two-conservative-party system is not acceptable. A party that maintains peace and carries out democracy from the citizens' perspective is required," the party members and those related said.

60015    Almost all members agree to the renewal of the Socialist Party.