Military

DATE=10/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US/CHECHNYA WARNING (L/S)
NUMBER=2-254564
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=STATE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:    The United States is again raising its 
concerns with Russia about its military actions 
against breakaway Chechnya.  Correspondent Nick 
Simeone reports the Clinton Administration is growing 
increasingly concerned about the possibility of an all 
out invasion by Moscow to crush Islamic militants.  
TEXT:  Washington is again trying to send the message 
to Russia that another full scale war in Chechnya will 
only lead to greater instability in the region.  
State Department spokesman James Rubin:
            /// RUBIN ACT ///
      We're trying to explain to them what we think 
      would be a negative direction that they're 
      heading down and the dangers of that negative 
      direction.
            /// END ACT ///
Moscow blames Chechen-based rebels fighting for an 
independent Islamic state for invading the neighboring 
republic of Dagestan -- and for a series of deadly 
terrorist bombings in Moscow and other cities that 
followed.  Washington supports Russia's stand against 
terrorism but believes another invasion of Chechnya - 
three years after Russian troops withdrew in defeat - 
is not the right approach. 
            /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott says Russia 
must show both restraint and wisdom in the coming 
days. Spokesman Rubin says this is the key point:
            /// SECOND RUBIN ACT ///
      What that means is taking actions against real 
      terrorists but not using indiscriminate force 
      that endangers innocents or resuming the 
      disastrous 1994-96 war in Chechnya.  
            /// END ACT ///
In recent days, tens of thousands of refugees are have 
fled to the adjacent region of Ingushetia to escape 
Russian air attacks. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/JO
01-Oct-1999 15:49 PM EDT (01-Oct-1999 1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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