Скачать или смотреть RUSSIA: AL GORE URGES PEACEFUL SOLUTION IN CHECNYA

(16 Jul 1996) Russian/Eng/Nat

U-S Vice President Al Gore called for a ceasefire in the breakaway republic of Chechnya and expressed his concern over the new outbreak of violence there.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, Gore said a peaceful solution should be found.

Gore also played down Monday's incident when his meeting with Boris Yeltsin was cancelled at the last moment, but he acknowledged it was unprecedented.

U-S Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin signed various scientific agreements on Tuesday.

During the joint press conference that followed, Gore said a peaceful solution for Chechnya should be found.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
I believe that the interest of Russia and of the Chechen people would best be served by a return to the ceasefire arrangements and conditions that were negotiated a month or so ago. I believe that this conflict has all the characteristics of the kind of conflict that most certainly never yield to a solution through violence, but rather will ultimately yield to a solution that's based on a negotiated settlement.
SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, vice-president of the U-S

Viktor Chernomyrdin agreed. He expressed his regret that the peace agreement between sides was not observed.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
I'm very sorry that the terms of the treaty are being violated, but I must say once again that the government, the president, we've met today once again and discussed this point and we are eager to stop that conflict. We are eager to help and to continue the talks. But on the other hand, I must say that nobody is allowed to violate it (the treaty). And when we are talking about terrorism, we definitely will stop it. That's why I would like to state, with all my responsibility, that we will continue and we are eager to continue the negotiations and we will do everything towards that end. We are planning to withdraw our regular troops, we will withdraw them.
SUPER CAPTION: Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russian Prime Minister

After his meeting with the Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the Barvikha sanatorium, Gore said the change of schedule was normal as presidents were entitled to have their own plans.

But he didn't conceal some surprise at the change of plans.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Unprecedented for a head of state to say "I would like to move a meeting from early on Monday morning to midday next day". And I was pleased to have the meeting today, It was a good informative, cordial, indeed a very warm meeting today and no, the subject of why it was moved from one day till next, never came up.
SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, vice-president of the U-S

Gore stressed during his visit that he found the Russian president to be in a good physical shape.

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