russian volunteers and consequences

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YUGOSLAV CONFLICT TO HAVE SPILLOVER EFFECT ON RUSSIA? The
Federal Security Service (FSB) is concerned about the
domestic effects of the increasing number of volunteers being
recruited in Russia to serve in the Kosova conflict (see
"RFE/RL Russian Federation Report," 14 April 1999),
"Kommersant-Daily" reported on 14 April. According to a FSB
source, "radical organizations are setting up illegal
paramilitary formations on the pretext of recruiting
volunteers for Yugoslavia--either for the propaganda effect
on the eve of the State Duma election campaign or for use in
street clashes should the domestic political situation
deteriorate." The daily also cited the fear voiced by
Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev that participation by
Russians on both sides of the front line could destabilize
the situation in Tatarstan and elsewhere. In addition to some
Tatarstan residents, a volunteer battalion from the Congress
of Peoples of Dagestan and Ichkeria are also planning to go
to aid the Kosovar Albanians, the newspaper reported. JAC