RUSSIA: CHECHNYA: GROZNY: CITY CLEAN-UP

Russian/Nat Special army clean-up brigades have been sent in to Grozny to remove the destruction caused by more than two months of fighting. Working with bulldozers and heavy-lifting equipment, the teams are demolishing the centre of the city. But their job is expected to take years. The Russian authorities have said that rebuilding the capital is not one of their priorities as they do not want it to become a symbol of resistance to the new regime. But the job of cleaning up the rubble still needs to be done, although the work proceeds under dangerous conditions. Army teams such as these can only work during the day because of the fighting still going on in the suburbs and because of the danger from unexploded mines and grenades among the ruins. The extent of the devastation was so great that the clean-up is expected to take years. SOUNDBITE (Russian) It's difficult to say how long we'll be here. You can see for yourself the destruction and what equipment is needed. I think the minister was right when he said it would take two years. SUPER CAPTION: Unidentified Russian Commander The brigades will work in three-month rotation until the job is completed. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/86ccf26a370ac422bf938e9b05b1bd59 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork