Wednesday January 12 8:15 PM ET
U.S. Won't Mediate Russian Conflict
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration ruled out a role for the United States in mediation between Russia and the rebels in Chechnya, and suggested Europeans could take on the job.
But as Russian forces resumed an offensive in the republic Wednesday, there was no indication Moscow would heed U.S. advice that it seek a political solution to a threatened secession by negotiating with Chechen leaders,
``We don't believe that the result of the use of force is going to be the melting away of resistance,' the State Department spokesman James P. Rubin said. ``We believe that the Russians are in a cul-de-sac, that they cannot by their current strategy come to the end of road because there is no end to this kind of fighting.' [snip]
dailynews.yahoo.com
Charles,
This is really a smart trick by the Clinton admnistration: "...and suggested Europeans could take on the job." For Americans are well aware of Europe's inability to cope with a touchy situation such as the Chechnyan conflict.... The State Dept. knows how fond France, Russia, and other countries are of the OSCE framework --wherein the US influence is much more diluted than in NATO.
So, the ploy is to keep out of the Chechnyan mess-up while simultaneously pressing all-set-and-ready Europeans to hack it.... Obviously, the expected outcome is for the world to contemplate Europe eventually holding the bag in the Chechnyan rattrap.... Only then, the US will offer to mediate in the conflict --scoring points for NATO's expansion.
Gus. |
