DATE=12/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256935
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration has renewed its
warning to Russia that it will pay a price in the
international arena if it carries out its threat to
kill civilians who fail to leave the Chechen capital
of Grozny by Saturday. President Clinton discussed the
situation in the Caucasus with NATO Secretary-General
George Robertson. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from
the White House.
TEXT: Mr. Robertson told reporters he and the
President discussed ways the NATO allies might back up
their demands that Moscow desist from seeking a
military solution in Chechnya.
He declined to give specifics, saying that is for the
various governments to decide. But he said there is
broad agreement in the alliance that Russia's military
offensive in Chechnya is disproportionate and counter-
productive.
At the same time, however, the former British defense
minister said NATO members understand the dilemma
Moscow faces in Chechnya. He said their criticism
should be seen as constructive advice, and not
hostility:
/// ROBERTSON ACTUALITY ///
They have serious problems in Chechnya, of
lawlessness, of banditry, of a collapse of law
and order. And they are reacting in a way that
we don't think makes much sense in dealing with
a problem that we believe is a serious one and
one with which we sympathize.
/ /// END ACT ///
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, meanwhile,
repeated Mr. Clinton's warning Monday that Russia's
leaders will "pay a price" for pursuing policies that
isolate them from the international community. Yet he
appeared to downplay the notion there might be early
economic sanctions.
Mr. Lockhart said the next installment of
International Monetary Fund assistance is already
being withheld because of Russia's failure to meet
economic reform requirements. He said he doubted that
it would make sense for the Administration to halt
bilateral aid programs, which he said are tailored to
advance U-S interests.
/// LOCKHART ACTUALITY ///
The vast majority of that aid goes to reducing
their nuclear threat. And I don't know, at this
point ,the productivity of removing that
assistance. I also don't know the productivity
of removing the assistance that we give outside
of Moscow that promotes democracy. Again, I
don't think this is a situation where you want
to undermine your own national security to make
some kind of statement.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Lockhart said President Clinton is very concerned
about the plight of Chechens who have either been
driven from their homes by Russian forces or are
afraid to leave them. He said he did not know if the
treatment of the Chechens amounts to Balkan-style
"ethnic-cleansing" - but said the distinction is
probably lost on those he said are facing a
"humanitarian crisis."(Signed)
NEB/DAG/gm
07-Dec-1999 14:17 PM EDT (07-Dec-1999 1917 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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