Fight against terrorism in Chechnya is Russia's internal affair - Powell

MOSCOW, January 27th, 2004 (RIA Novosti correspondent Dmitry Panovkin)

-- The United States considers the fight against terrorism in Chechnya an internal affair of Russia, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said live to the Ekho Moskvy radio. Chechnya is part of the Russian Federation and the solution of this problem is the internal affair of Russia, Powell said.

He also noted that the United States hoped that Russia would find a political solution to the problem of terrorism with due account taken for human rights.

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2004-01-27 13:06

POWELL: CHECHNYA - RUSSIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIR

MOSCOW, January 27, 2004 (RIA Novosti) - The United States is pleased with the results of the October 2003 presidential elections in Chechnya, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said at the U.S. ambassador's residence on Tuesday.

Chechnya is an integral part of Russia and the Chechen conflict is, therefore, Russia's internal affair, emphasised Mr. Powell.

He said the U.S. had called upon Russia on many occasions to try to find a political solution to the conflict and offered a range of its own solutions. Mr. Powell admitted that they had not been a success.

Mr. Powell was hopeful that a political solution would eventually be found.

He said the United States would be eager to contribute to the settlement effort if parties to the conflict approached it with a relative request.

However, the international community's involvement in this matter will be rather limited, he added.

27.01.2004, 14.30

MOSCOW, January 27 (Itar-Tass) - The United States supports Moscow’spolitical efforts in Chechnya, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powellsaid at a meeting with the Russian public on Tuesday.

The U.S. official said that the American leadership supports thepolitical efforts taken by Moscow in this respect and understands thatthis is Russia’s internal affair.

At the same time the secretary of state urged to observe human rightsin Chechnya. The two countries hold permanent consultations on thisissue, Powell stressed.

He said the U.S. is satisfied with the elections that had taken place in the Chechen Republic and pointed to democratic progress there.

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Comment: We are back to the usual farce. First criticize Russia for its lack of democracy, respect for human and civil rights and short afterwards excuse yourself backing its genocidal policy in Chechnya. For how many years will we continue to see this kind of politics? This is the real "double standards" policy! M.M.