DATE=12/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / CHECHNYA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-256958
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Britain says it appears Russia is responding
to international condemnation of its military assault
in the breakaway republic of Chechnya and the threat
to withdraw much-needed financial aid. Laurie Kassman
reports from London.
TEXT: British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told
British radio that Moscow is responding to Western
criticism and threats of isolation.
/// COOK ACT ONE ///
We now have the interior minister saying they
will not close safe corridors as they threatened
to do. And the general has said he did not
intend the threat to be aimed at the civilian
population.
/// END ACT ///
Political analysts have complained the international
community is showing a weak hand in dealing with the
Russian crisis.
Mr. Cook promises to raise the issue of economic
sanctions at the European Union summit at the end of
the week if Russia does not back away from its
evacuation ultimatum as promised.
/// COOK ACT TWO ///
If Russia wants to come into the modern world,
and we want to help it to do so, it does also
have to abide by the standards of that modern
world.
/// END ACT ///
Moscow has not shown any intention of diminishing its
military offensive in Chechnya, despite Western
complaints about an exaggerated use of force to deal
with terrorism there.
The 52-nation Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe recently called for Moscow to
resolve the crisis through political negotiations.
The current O-S-C-E chairman is to visit Chechnya to
see how the organization might contribute to a
peaceful solution. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/ENE/RAE
08-Dec-1999 08:07 AM EDT (08-Dec-1999 1307 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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