DATE=2/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / BABITSKY (L)
NUMBER=2-258992
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is calling on Russia to
conduct an unbiased investigation into the
disappearance of U-S radio reporter Andrei Babitsky.
From the State Department, Correspondent Kyle King
reports.
TEXT: A statement issued by Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright's spokesman says it is time for
Russian officials to come clean (tell all) about the
fate of Radio Liberty reporter Andrei Babitsky.
Mr. Babitsky was detained by Russian forces in
Chechnya last month and has not been heard from since.
Russian officials say they lost track of Mr. Babitsky
last week after trading him to Chechen rebels in
exchange for the release of two Russian prisoners.
The State Department says incomplete and contradictory
explanations provided by the Russian government have
raised the gravest fears about Mr. Babitsky's fate.
Mr. Babitsky's employers at the U-S funded Radio
Liberty say they believe recently released videotapes
allegedly showing Mr. Babitsky alive are fakes.
The United States says the detention and subsequent
disappearance of Mr. Babitsky have sent a chilling
message to friends of the free press in Russia and
around the world.
The U-S statement says the treatment of a non-
combatant as a hostage or prisoner of war is
completely unacceptable.
The statement calls for Russia to conduct an unbiased
investigation of the matter and where necessary punish
those guilty of wrongful acts.
/// REST OPT ///
Russian television aired the latest videotape of Mr.
Babitsky (Wednesday). On the tape, Mr. Babitsky said
he was in relatively good condition, that it was
Sunday, and he could not return to Moscow.
The head of the U-S funded Radio Liberty says he
believes the tape was made by Russian secret services
and was being offered for sale by a Chechen rebel
group that is allied with Moscow. Mr. Babitsky's
reporting from Chechnya before his capture had angered
Russian authorities. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
09-Feb-2000 14:44 PM EDT (09-Feb-2000 1944 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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