DATE=2/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA JOURNALIST (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258835
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States has expressed outrage at
reports that Russia may have traded a journalist
working for a U-S radio Station for captive Russian
soldiers in Chechnya. As V-O-A's Kyle King reports,
U-S officials say they hold Russia responsible for the
safety of the journalist.
TEXT: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says the
United States is concerned about reports that
journalist Andrei Babitsky was turned over to Chechen
rebels in exchange for two captured Russian soldiers.
Mr. Babitsky, who works for the U-S funded Radio
Liberty, was detained by Russian troops in Chechnya
last month.
Russian television broadcast what is said to be
videotape of Mr. Babitsky being exchanged for Russian
soldiers who had been held by Chechen fighters.
Secretary of State Albright, speaking to reporters
during a news conference with the visiting Spanish
Foreign Minister, called the reports of a trade
unacceptable.
/// Albright Act ///
We have been concerned about what we have heard
this morning, what is unconfirmed, about some
kind of a trade, and are concerned about his
welfare. And again, if such a trade has taken
place, it is obviously not acceptable and we
hold the Russians responsible for his well
being.
/// End Act ///
Officials of the U-S funded radio station where Mr.
Babitsky works have expressed doubts about the
videotape of the trade. They say they believe it is a
fake.
Russian officials say now that Mr. Babitsky has been
turned over to the Chechen rebels, they are no longer
responsible for his fate.
Mr. Babitsky's wife says she fears he may be dead. U-
S officials have said exchanging a captive journalist
for prisoners of war would raise serious questions
about Russia's compliance with international rules on
the treatment of non-combatants. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/ENE/JP
04-Feb-2000 15:44 PM EDT (04-Feb-2000 2044 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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