KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: Negotiators in southern Russia are trying to end a hijacking drama where a gunman is holding hostages onboard a bus. For the latest, we're joined by Ryan Chilcote. Ryan, what can you tell us?</s>RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN PRODUCER: Well, just about 20 minutes ago, I heard a round of automatic gunfire coming from that area where the bus is parked on a highway overpass. That's about 300 meters from me here. Inside that bus, there is at least one gunman, armed with a machine gun, two grenades, and maybe a bomb. Police suspect that he may have accomplices on the bus with him pretending to be passengers. Russian official here say the man is demanding six more machine guns, ammunition and a helicopter. His main demand, however, is the Russians release six Chechen men sitting in jails, arrested for hijacking in this same Chechen region in 1994. A Russian officials just came out and spoke to journalists and said, those demands take time to meet, especially his demand for the release of the six convicts. He said not all of those convicts are in jails in this area. Russia officials said they've won the release of more than 12 of those hostages. That leaves more than 20 inside that bus.</s>SHINSHO: And are Russian authorities open to idea of releasing these convicts that the gunmen is demanding?</s>CHILCOTE: Well, I asked that question point blank, and he said "no commentary." He said -- I asked whether Russia was prepared to meet those demands, he said, "No comment. What I mean is that Russia is a big country, and if we were to get those inmates out of those prisons, that would take time.?</s>SHINSHO: All right, Ryan Chilcote. END TO ORDER VIDEOTAPES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF CNN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE THE SECURE ONLINE ORDER FROM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Negotiators in Southern Russia Trying to End Hijacking Drama