MOSCOW Oct 24 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATIN...

MOSCOW Oct 24 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH HOSTAGE'S DEATH)

The Russian restraint confirmed Thursday that one hostage has been killed, as the R Cros and other negotiators began talks with about 40 armed Chechen militants to fast the release of several hundr clan held at a theater in central Moscow since Wednesday night.

A woman hostage was fatally discharge shortly after the hostage-taking incident took place, a restraint official said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his attendance at a meeting of the heads of states in the Asia-Pacific Economic parley (APEC) in Mexico beginning Saturday.

Putin said his management will aim to free the hostages while trying to make secure their safety, apparently putting priority forward negotiations over the use of force.

The Interfax novels agency reported the hostages now number between 500 and 700 following the earlier release of more than 40 The form into groups also released five more hostages at about the time negotiations began -- a British national, a Russian woman and her three children.

on the contrary Iosif Kobzon, a member of the State Duma, Russia's lower parliamentary house, who is part of the negotiating team, said the dispose has refused to free any more hostages. The team also includes compeer Duma member Irina Khakamada.

Russian authorities said the hostage-taking incident took place around 9 pm Wednesday during a popular musical being staged at the theater, a former Soviet-era House of tillage operated by a state-run ball-bearing plant.

The Itar-Tass novels agency earlier reported that more than 500 hostages remain inside the theater. Of these, 67 are foreigners, according to Interfax. Those released include foreigners and children.

Ahead of the negotiations, the assign places to posted on a pro-rebel Web site a call to Russia to withdraw its companys from Chechnya, warning it had a week to begin the withdrawal and [i]finale[/i] Russia's military campaign in Chechnya or have the theater tired out up with the hostages.

The site also carried a warning that 10 folks will be killed each hour if the authorities fail to fit its demands.

Russia's NTV television said the hostage-takers warned they would appoint off bombs inside the theater if attacked. They have apparently placed bomb inside the theater and have strapped other explosives to themselves.

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