(21 Aug 1996) Eng / Nat
President Bill Clinton has appealed directly to his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin for restraint in Chechnya.
In a letter written earlier this week, Clinton urged Yeltsin to forestall an all-out assault to retake the breakaway republic from separatist forces.
While advocating a return to negotiations, the White House has admitted it is yet to receive a response to the letter.
White House spokesman Mike McCurry Wednesday said President Clinton was being briefed constantly on the situation in Chechnya.
SOUNDBITE:
"The president has been deeply concerned about the escalation of fighting in and around Grozny. If you recall last week there had been an effort, I believe by the OSCE assistance group, that had been organising an effort of mediation between the parties. We were encouraged both by their attempts to arrange and implement a ceasefire, and now of course discouraged by reports of a resumption of fighting that could endanger the very fragile dialogue that has begun last week. We have also been concerned about reports of threats of use of force against Grozny - that could endanger the lives of tens of thousands of civilians. The belief of the United States government is that this cycle of violence must come to an end because prolonged fighting is only going to endanger civilians.
SUPER CAPTION: Mike McCurry, White House spokesman
He added Clinton's letter reflected the "concern" felt by Washington that the emphasis seemed to be shifting from peace talks to all-out war.
SOUNDBITE:
"Again, we have continued to call upon all parties to minimise the conflict - to return to the kinds of discussions that could bring the conflict to an end. We are encouraged both by the presence of Mr Lebed in Chechnya. The president has sent a communication to President Yeltsin, reflecting the concern we have expressed repeatedly to the Russian government and we hope there will soon be an end to the conflict."
SUPER CAPTION: Mike McCurry, White House spokesman
The view was echoed by the U-S State Department.
SOUNDBITE:
"We have said to Yeltsin, we have said to the Russian government and to the Chechen rebels, time and time again, that force will not work. Military arms are not the answer to the problems posed by the Chechen rebellion."
SUPER CAPTION: Glyn Davies, U-S State Department spokesman
McCurry refused to comment on rumours that President Yeltsin's ailing health was making a compromise more difficult to achieve.
Yeltsin is reportedly suffering from a heart ailment and the policy structure in the Kremlin is in apparent disarray, with conflicting orders and statements.
SOUNDBITE:
"It's not by business to speculate on what a proper length of vacation is for a foreign leader. The important thing is the United States government has regular channels of communication with high levels of the Russian government and those channels of communication remain open and allow us to transact the business our government does with their government."
SUPER CAPTION: Mike McCurry, White House spokesman
With the Russian military apparently making its own decisions, it was not clear whether Clinton's message would have an impact on the potential offensive.
U-S officials believe the prevailing view within the administration is that Yeltsin is inclined to favour a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the breakaway region.
However, the Clinton administration admits it is unsure whether Yeltsin ordered the latest offensive against the rebels in Grozny.
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