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DATE=11/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - RUSSIA - RELATIONS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256513
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has 
repeated American concern over Russia's actions 
against Chechnya, but says that should not be linked 
to efforts to bring economic stability to Russia.  
Correspondent Gil Butler has the story from the State 
Department.
TEXT:  In a recent foreign policy speech, Republican 
presidential candidate George W. Bush called for 
withholding economic aid to Russia because of its 
military actions in Chechnya.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, while refusing 
to comment directly on Mr. Bush's stand, told a 
Washington news conference (Wednesday) there should be 
no linkage.
            /// 1st ALBRIGHT ACT ///
      I think it is very important to keep things 
      separated here.  We believe that it is very 
      important for there to be economic stability in 
      Russia.  That is in our national interest.
            /// END ACT ///
At the same time, Secretary Albright repeated U-S 
objections to the Russian operation in Chechnya, which 
has resulted in civilian suffering.  At recent 
meetings, she says, Russia has been given a clear 
message by the international community that its 
actions are wrong, and a political settlement is 
essential.
A reporter from the Russian news agency TASS described 
United States-Russian relations as being at a very low 
point and asked how she would go about improving the 
relationship.
Ms. Albright says there is no doubt Chechnya has 
complicated America's relations with Russia, but she 
adds that no one wants to return to Cold War days.
            /// 2ND ALBRIGHT ACT ///
      The last thing, I think, that we should be doing 
      is trying to turn Russia back into an enemy.  We 
      spent 50 years in that mode, and on the 10th 
      anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and 
      my visits with the President in that region, I 
      went to Slovakia by myself.  It made it apparent 
      to me one more time how much time was lost 
      during the Cold War, and being enemies with 
      Russia is not the right approach.  We should do 
      everything we can to develop a relationship that 
      is rational, that serves both our countries' 
      national interests and where we do not re-create 
      an enemy where there isn't one.
            /// END ACT ///
The Secretary says she has almost daily contact with 
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, and expects to 
continue such contacts in her remaining time as 
Secretary of State.   (Signed)
NEB/MGB/WTW
24-Nov-1999 14:27 PM EDT (24-Nov-1999 1927 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.