Install

Get the latest updates as we post them — right on your browser

Today's paper. Last Updated: 06/04/2012

Moscow Stalls Germany Over Troop Maneuvers

BONN -- Moscow has postponed the first joint maneuvers on Russian soil between Russian troops and those of reunited Germany, amid further criticism of its intervention in Chechnya from Germany and its European allies Norway and France.


Germany was informed by Russia of the decision Friday, said Hans-Dieter Wichter, spokesman for German Defense Minister Volker R--he. Moscow justified the delay by citing unspecified "military reasons," Wichter said.


Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel and R--he have all called on President Boris Yeltsin to show restraint in handling the crisis in Chechnya. Some of the strongest criticism has come from Kohl, who appealed to Yeltsin on Friday to "stop this madness."


Russia has also refused to issue visas to two German opposition lawmakers who wanted to travel to Moscow to talk to Russian deputies and human rights groups on the fighting in Chechnya.


In Oslo on Monday, Norway condemned the "brutal behavior" of Russian troops in Chechnya, saying the conflict could threaten Russian reforms and burden relations with Western countries.


Foreign Minister Bj?rn Tore Godal, in a letter to his Russian counterpart, Andrei Kozyrev, urged him to stop hostilities immediately and start cooperating with international organizations.


France warned Russia on Monday that it risked setting back efforts to build new ties to Europe if what Paris called repression and human rights violations continued in Chechnya.


The 52-member Organization of the Islamic Conference on Monday expressed anguish over the situation in predominantly Moslem Chechnya.




This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment


Discussion
The Moscow Times welcomes your comments and invites you to discuss topics with other readers. Your comment will be posted automatically to enable a live discussion. If you aren't familiar with our comments policy, you can read it here.

If you're a registered user, you can start typing your comment below. If not, take a moment to sign up. and then return to the article.

If your comment doesn't appear, contact us by using our web form.

Comments

Comments via Facebook



print


Comments

This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment





Most Read