DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-261220
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian forces are attacking rebel positions
in Chechnya's southern mountains, as Russia signals it
might be moving towards a negotiated end to the
conflict. Moscow Correspondent Eve Conant reports
Russia's lower house of parliament has adopted a
resolution criticizing the Council of Europe move to
suspend Russia's voting rights.
TEXT: Russia's lower house of parliament has voted in
support of a document that criticizes last week's
Council of Europe vote as unacceptable and unfair.
Earlier, lawmakers approved an initial version of the
document that said Russia would only cooperate with
the Council of Europe once what it called - the
discriminatory decision - was reversed. But lawmakers
later re-worded the document to avoid the initial
decision of boycotting further Council of Europe
debates.
Lawmaker and former Prime Minister Yevgenny Primakov
says he supports the move that defends Moscow's
campaign in Chechnya, and calls for the Council of
Europe to reexamine its position.
/// PRIMAKOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says Russia does not want to isolate itself and
does not want others to isolate it. But at the same
time, he says - it is impossible to treat Russia like
this.
Meanwhile, Russian warplanes are targeting rebel
positions in Chechnya's southern mountains near Vedeno
and in Chechnya's eastern Nozhai-Yurt region.
Chechen rebels continue to stage deadly counterattacks
against Russian troops in federally occupied
territory. The latest ambush occurred when rebels
attacked a Russian border patrol near Chechnya's
border with Georgia.
Russian officials have suggested in recent days that
they could be open to finding a political solution to
the conflict. The Kremlin spokesman on Chechnya,
Sergey Yastrzhembsky, is quoted as saying Russia is in
contact with Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov, whom
he says is well informed of Moscow's opinions on a
transition to a political process.
Russia has labeled the Chechen leader a criminal and
terrorist with whom Moscow could not conduct
negotiations. Russia has consistently rejected Mr.
Maskhadov's calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
Kremlin spokesman Yastrzhembsky also commented on the
parliamentary response to the Council of Europe. He
said simply - Russia would continue to cooperate with
the Council of Europe. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH/RAE
12-Apr-2000 11:31 AM EDT (12-Apr-2000 1531 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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