DATE=1/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-RUSSIA (L)
NUMBER=2-257711
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Top Clinton Administration officials say the
United States wants a good relationship with Russia's
acting President Vladimir Putin. But they say
Chechnya is a problem that could endanger both that
relationship and Mr. Putin's political future. V-O-
A's David Gollust reports from the White House.
TEXT: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and White
House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger concede
the Administration was caught by surprise Friday by
former President Boris Yeltsin's resignation in favor
of Mr. Putin.
But on network talks shows, they say the transfer of
power took place democratically and the United States
is ready to work with the new Russian leader.
Ms. Albright -- who appeared on "N-B-C's Meet the
Press" -- downplayed Mr. Putin's background with the
former Soviet K-G-B and stressed instead his comments
since Friday in favor of democratic freedoms and the
rule of law:
/// ALBRIGHT ACTUALITY ///
I think that he is a competent man. And we
believe that Russia is running according to a
rational system. There are lots of people in
the government that we work with. And our
experience with acting President Putin so far
has been good. But again, actions are very
important and I do not want to create an enemy
here.
/// END ACT ///
The Secretary of State urged Mr. Putin - whose
political standing is largely based on his tough line
on Chechnya - to seek a negotiated solution to the
conflict as the "only way" out of a situation that
could become a "quagmire" for Moscow.
In his appearance on the A-B-C television network,
National Security Adviser Berger went further -
suggesting that Chechnya setbacks might cost Mr. Putin
victory in a presidential election he - at this point
- stands to win in March:
/// BERGER ACT ///
Chechnya now is a dilemma for Putin. Putin rose
in popularity as a result of Chechnya. He now
faces an election in three months. If he can
not bring this to an end - a peaceful end -
quickly, if the costs become too high for the
Russians, and the resistance is increasing, this
could become an albatross around his neck in
March.
/// END ACT ///
Secretary of State Albright said the United States
understands that Moscow has a problem with Chechen
terrorists. But she says Russia has taken wanton
action against Chechen civilians.
Appearing ahead of her on the same program Russian
deputy chief of administration Dmitri Yakushkin
insisted it is the Chechen rebels who are victimizing
civilians:
/// YAKUSKIN ACT ///
This is a war against criminals who are actually
criminals to everybody, including to the people
of Chechnya. Because, first of all it is the
people of Chechnya who are suffering, though by
nationality the criminals are also Chechens.
But they are the first who are suffering from
them. The Dagestanis suffer from them, the
Russians suffer from them, and of course
everything must be done in order to stop almost
the existence of an independent army,
uncontrollable, on the territory of Russia.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Yakushkin defended big military spending increases
advocated by Mr. Putin as a way of restoring the
Russian armed forces to "normal" and "proper"
capabilities for dealing with the Chechnya problem,
among others. But he said Mr. Putin has no intention
to return to a Cold War situation and will prove that
in short order. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
02-Jan-2000 14:05 PM EDT (02-Jan-2000 1905 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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