DATE=4/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - IVANOV (L-ONITER)
NUMBER=2-261726
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov meets 
with his U-S counterpart, Secretary of State Madeleine 
Albright here in Washington Wednesday for talks that 
are expected to include Moscow's policy in the 
breakaway region of Chechnya.  On Tuesday, President 
Clinton met with Mr. Ivanov to discuss arms control 
and his upcoming summit with Russian President-elect 
Vladimir Putin.   Correspondent Deborah Tate reports 
from the White House.


Text:   National Security Council spokesman Mike 
Hammer says arms control dominated Mr. Clinton's 
meeting with Mr. Ivanov.  He said the President called 
for stepped up efforts by both countries to make 
deeper cuts in their nuclear arsenals, now that the 
Russian Duma has ratified Start Two.

The United States also wants to amend the 1972 Anti-
Ballistic Missile Treaty to allow for a limited 
national missile defense system, something Russia 
opposes.

But emerging from his White House talks, Mr. Ivanov 
took a softer approach to the issue, telling reporters 
that security would be better protected if the ABM 
Treaty was kept intact, but also saying that Moscow is 
ready to listen to any suggestions.   Mr. Clinton has 
not made a final decision on missile defense.

Differences over that issue as well as Russia's 
military campaign in Chechnya threaten to cast a cloud 
over the planned summit between Mr. Clinton and Mr. 
Putin in Moscow in early June.  

But while acknowledging that disagreements exist with 
the United States, Mr. Ivanov - speaking through a 
translator - said Moscow wants to strengthen relations 
with Washington.

	// Ivanov actuality //

Russia is interested in further developing 
constructive relations and dynamic relations in all 
areas of our interaction.

	// end act //

Mr. Clinton met with Mr. Ivanov for about 20 minutes, 
with Secretary of State Albright and National Security 
Council Advisor Sandy Berger in attendance.   The 
talks continued for another half hour after Mr. 
Clinton left.

NSC spokesman Hammer said the President and the 
Foreign Minister also discussed Mr. Putin's plans for 
economic reform and combating crime and corruption, 
with MR. Clinton underscoring the importance of Russia 
accelerating reform and doing more to fight money 
laundering and strengthen the rule of law.

Mr. Hammer says Russia's policy in Chechnya did not 
come up during Mr. Clinton's talks with Mr. Ivanov.   
He says the United States has made its position very 
clear to Russian officials, and noted that the UN 
Human Rights Commission voted to condemn Russia for 
its actions in Chechnya just hours before the White 
House meeting.

Mr. Hammer says the issue will be raised by Secretary 
of State Albright when she meets with Mr. Ivanov 
Wednesday.  (Signed)


NEB/DAT/PT  



25-Apr-2000 19:55 PM EDT (25-Apr-2000 2355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.