DATE=10/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (S)
NUMBER=2-254755
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia has rejected suggestions of European
Union (E-U) mediation in the conflict in breakaway
Chechnya, calling it an internal affair.
Correspondent Peter Heinlein has details from Moscow.
TEXT: Russia's deputy foreign minister Yevgeny
Gusarov ruled out E-U help in settling the Chechen
conflict. He says mediation between the federal
government and a member of the Federation would be a
strange thing.
The comment came during a visit by a high-level E-U
delegation led by Foreign Affairs Commissioner Chris
Patten. Another member of the delegation, Finland's
Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen, earlier said the
European Union recognizes Russian sovereignty in
Chechnya, but is concerned about the excessive use of
force.
Weeks of Russian bombing have forced a mass exodus of
Chechen civilians. At least 130-thousand refugees are
camped in neighboring Ingushetia, many living under
open skies. Officials there are calling for
international assistance to avoid a humanitarian
disaster, but federal officials say Russia will take
care of the refugees. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/GE/RAE
07-Oct-1999 07:12 AM EDT (07-Oct-1999 1112 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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