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DATE=12/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US - RUSSIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257224
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United States is signaling its concern 
about the intensifying Russian military campaign in 
Chechnya, and reports of a rebel ambush that is 
believed to have left scores of Russian soldiers dead.  
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White 
House.
Text:  U-S officials say Secretary of State Madeleine 
Albright will deliver a strong message to her Russian 
counterpart, Igor Ivanov, on the sidelines of an 
international meeting in Berlin Friday, urging Moscow 
to end its indiscriminate use of force in Chechnya and 
seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Ms. Albright will be attending a Group of Eight 
ministerial meeting, which includes the foreign 
ministers of the major industrialized nations and 
Russia.
The session was scheduled to discuss how to prevent 
armed conflicts, but it now appears that the talks 
will be dominated by the situation in Chechnya, where 
Russian troops are closing in on Grozny, and Moscow is 
vowing that the capital of the breakaway region will 
fall within days.
At the White House Thursday, officials expressed their 
concern about Western news accounts of a rebel attack 
in Chechnya that reportedly killed at least 100 
Russian troops.  Moscow has denied the reports.
Spokesman Joe Lockhart said the United States had no 
independent confirmation of the reported ambush, but 
said if true, it highlights the warnings Washington 
has been sending to Moscow for months.
            /// Lockhart actuality ///
      To the extent the reports are accurate, I think 
      it does underscore the point the president has 
      been making - the path the Russians are taking 
      cannot ultimately lead to the goal that they 
      have stated.  The indiscriminate use of force 
      has done more to enhance this cycle of violence, 
      embolden the Chechen terrorists, and undermine 
      the ultimate policy goal that they have 
      articulated.  There is no pure military solution 
      here.  They have to engage in a dialogue.
            /// End Act ///
Moscow has defended its military operation in Chechnya 
as necessary to root out Islamic insurgents. (signed)
NEB/DAT/JP
16-Dec-1999 13:52 PM EDT (16-Dec-1999 1852 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.