Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/14/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-303184

TITLE=POWELL / RUSSIA (S)

BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: After stops in several Mideast countries, U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell is now in Moscow for talks with Russian leaders. As Bill Gasperini reports from Moscow, two recent terrorist bombings have added new urgency to the Powell visit.

TEXT: Mr. Powell has a lot to talk about with Russian officials.

Russia has strong reservations about a new U-S-sponsored resolution at the United Nations that calls for the quick lifting of sanctions against Iraq.

And the United States has equally strong reservations about Russia's nuclear cooperation with Iran.

But both countries agree on the need to fight terrorism. On Monday, hours before the suicide bomb attacks in Saudi Arabia, a massive truck blast in Russia's breakaway region of Chechnya killed more than 50 people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has tried to link the Chechen bombing to those in the Saudi capital, saying that al-Qaida may have carried out all of the attacks.

Mr. Powell's visit comes just two weeks before Mr. Putin is to meet with President Bush in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg. (Signed)

NEB/BG/KL