Sporadic fighting was reported in Chechnya Friday, hours after Russia's 14-day truce began in the southern republic. Russia's defense minister accused the rebels of opening fire.

President Boris Yeltsin ordered the unilateral cease-fire in advance of a summit of world leaders in Moscow in May. The cease-fire took effect at 12:01 a.m. today and was to last until May 12.Defense Minister Pavel Grachev said rebel fighters shot at Russian troops in two districts of Chechnya overnight, killing one soldier and wounding at least four, the Interfax news agency reported.

Earlier, the news agency said Chechen units had fired on Russian troops at Nozhai-Yurt, 35 miles southeast of Grozny, injuring four Russians.

Grachev has warned that his troops would retaliate heavily for any attack by Chechen rebels.

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President Clinton has urged Yeltsin to make the cease-fire a permanent settlement. In a 30-minute telephone conversation Thursday, Clinton welcomed a halt in the fighting but said it had not eased his deep concern about the war-torn Caucasus region.

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