DATE=10/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-255592
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton is calling on Russia to seek
a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Chechnya.
At a joint news conference Thursday with Nigerian
President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Clinton suggested
that Moscow's military offensive against Chechen
rebels would not succeed. Correspondent Deborah Tate
reports from the White House.
Text: With an eye on Russian troops closing in on the
Chechen capital, Grozny, Mr. Clinton argued that a
solution to the conflict would have to be political,
not military.
// Clinton actuality //
It has been our experience that where there are
genuine ethnic and religious difficulties, and
particularly when they are combined, that sooner
or later people have got to stop fighting and
start talking, and that any military strategy
has to be designed to do nothing more than
create the conditions within which a negotiated
settlement can be reached. What the United
States hopes, since we also have a stake in the
success of democracy and freedom and prosperity
in Russia, is that we will see a minimization of
casualties, and we will hasten the day when
there will be a negotiated solution that all the
parties can live with.
// end act //
But Mr. Clinton stopped short of condemning Russia's
military campaign, which has included bombings in
civilian areas of Chechnya.
His carefully-worded comments reflect the fine line
the administration has been walking in its engagement
policy with Russia
Washington - which views Chechnya as part of Russia -
wants stability in the region as it pursues
cooperation with Moscow on arms control, nuclear non-
proliferation, and other issues.
Russian officials have defended the crackdown in
Chechnya - saying it is aimed at rooting out Islamic
militants whom Moscow accuses of trying to destabilize
the region. (Signed)
NEB/DAT/PT
28-Oct-1999 20:30 PM EDT (29-Oct-1999 0030 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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