CHECHNYA . . . WORN OUT

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin tonight called for Chechen peace talks involving "all interested parties and forces" in a 15-minute address on state television. The statement was Moscow's strongest yet on ending the war, since it laid down no conditions. Today, outnumbered Chechen fighters retained their grip on sections of Grozny and claimed to have taken the railway station back from Russian forces. Meanwhile, Russia's chief prosector, Alexei Ilyushenko, said he was investigating military commanders who allegedly refused to obey orders to advance on Chechnya: "Those found guilty, be they generals, deputy ministers or rank-and-file soldiers, will face punishment."