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DATE=12/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256896
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  The United States is urging Russia not to 
follow through with an ultimatum to the residents of 
Grozny, the Chechen capital, to leave their homes by 
Saturday or face destruction.  V-O-A's Gil Butler 
reports the State Department says Russia is 
responsible for avoiding civilian casualties.
TEXT:  Russian planes, which have been dropping bombs 
on Grozny, switched to leaflets on Monday, with an 
ominous warning:  "Persons who stay in the city will 
be considered terrorists and bandits and will be 
destroyed by artillery and aviation.  There will be no 
further negotiations." 
At the State Department, spokesman James Foley gave 
the American response: don't go through with the 
threat. 
            /// FOLEY ACT ///
      We are deeply disturbed by reports that the 
      Russians have set a deadline, urging residents 
      of Grozny to leave by December 11th .  This 
      deadline would threaten the old and infirm and 
      others who cannot leave or are afraid to leave 
      Grozny.  Notwithstanding the dropping of warning 
      leaflets, Russia still has the obligation to 
      differentiate between lawful and unlawful 
      targets in this conflict.  We urge the Russians 
      not to follow through with this ultimatum.
            /// END ACT ///
Reports from Russia say many, if not most, of the 
remaining residents of the Chechen capital are old or 
sick, or otherwise afraid to leave through what the 
Russian leaflets say will be safe corridors.
State Department spokesman Foley repeated America's 
position that a military solution is not possible in 
Chechnya, and that Russia should try to negotiate a 
political settlement.  He welcomed Russia's invitation 
to the chairman of the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe (Norwegian Foreign Minister 
Knute Vollebaek) to go to Chechnya on the 14th of this 
month.   (Signed)
NEB/MGB/WTW
06-Dec-1999 16:01 PM EDT (06-Dec-1999 2101 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.