Russia Vows to Crack Down Chechen Rebels in Dagestan ����Russia will firmly crack down the 2,000 rebels from the Chechen republic who crossed the border into Dagestan early September morning, said First Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Kolesnikov. ����In an address on the Dagestan television, he urged all male citizens in Novolaksk region, in the west of the North Caucasus region, to completely support Russian forces and police to fight against the rebels who have just infiltrated into the area. ����The rebels seized at least two villages in Novolaksk region and the local police were battling the rebels, Interfax news agency reported. ����On the same day, Russian forces resumed bombing and shelling of rebel positions in the Buinaksk district, some 80 kilometers south of Dagestan's capital of Makhachkala. ����On Saturday, a powerful explosion occurred at a housing complex in Buinaksk, which has so far left 17 people dead and 53 seriously injured with dozens of others trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building, according to the latest report from the Emergencies Ministry. ����On August 7, gunmen sneaked into Dagestan from Chechnya and seized several villages. Russia's federal forces have since launched several operations against the militants, using fighter aircraft, helicopters and heavy mortars. Elite police squads and local volunteers armed by the government also took part in the fighting. (Xinhua) WorldNews 1999-09-06 Page6 Full Story in Chinese