DATE=12/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / U-S (L)
NUMBER=2-257425
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  U-S Deputy Secretary of State Strobe 
Talbott has left Moscow after a series of 
discussions with Russian officials about Chechnya 
and other topics.  V-O-A Moscow correspondent 
Peter Heinlein reports Mr. Talbott also found the 
going rough in talks on arms control.

TEXT:  Emerging from a meeting with Foreign 
Minister Igor Ivanov Thursday, Deputy Secretary 
Talbott said he reiterated U-S concern that 
Russia is violating international standards with 
its massive military onslaught in Chechnya.

            /// TALBOTT ACT ///

      We want very much to see Russia deal with 
      what is really a global problem, a problem 
      that we also face in the world, and that is 
      the problem of extremism and terrorism.  
      But to see Russia deal with that problem in 
      a fashion that meets international norms. 
      And our feeling is that that standard has  
      not  been met, particularly recently.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Talbott said he also expressed concern about 
the possibility that the conflict in Chechnya 
might spread to neighboring countries, including 
Georgia and Azerbaijan. The U-S official said 
Russian ministers assured him they fully intend 
to respect the sovereignty and integrity of other 
countries.

Aside from Chechnya, one of the most contentious 
issues on Mr. Talbott's agenda was arms control.  
The Clinton administration wants to amend the 
1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (A-B-M) Treaty to 
allow construction of a limited missile defense 
system. 

The Interfax news agency quoted a senior Russian 
negotiator Wednesday as saying the treaty is  not  
up for negotiation. General Leonid Ivashov said 
any attempts to undermine the A-B-M accord would 
have, "grave consequences." 

But Mr. Talbott said from his point of view, 
progress is being made.

            /// 2ND TALBOTT ACT ///

      We now have reached the stage where high-
      level experts, including military experts, 
      are grappling with the problem in 
      military/technical specifics, which is an 
      important part of what I hope will get us 
      to the point where President Clinton and 
      President Yeltsin will be able to assure 
      each other, and the world, as part of their 
      legacies to their successors will be a 
      solid and enduring arms control regime, 
      based on the principle of strategic balance 
      and equilibrium between the United States 
      and Russia, but that will also permit both 
      countries to deal with the new threat, and 
      that threat is of ballistic missile 
      proliferation.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Talbott admitted this has been a tough year 
for Moscow-Washington relations, but said during 
his visit he had sensed a commitment on the part 
of Russian officials to make next year a better 
one. (Signed)

NEB/PFH/GE/KL 



23-Dec-1999 09:17 AM EDT (23-Dec-1999 1417 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.