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Mild Reaction From Abroad

Foreign reaction to the Russian intervention in Chechnya remained largely muted Tuesday. Most Western countries kept to their position that this was a Russian internal affair but Estonia struck a note of discord.


"The Estonian parliament expresses its categorical protest over the aggression of Russia against the Chechen republic," the Estonian parliament said in a statement unanimously backed by deputies. It called on Russia to end its "undeclared war" in the region.


France on Tuesday also urged Russia to solve the crisis through talks rather than war. "We insist that the search for a negotiated solution, by exploring the paths to dialogue, is essential," Foreign Ministry spokesman Richard Duque told a daily briefing.


A Western diplomat said, "We all know what's at stake, but don't want to provoke the Russians at a time when our relationship is in a very delicate phase ... We're keeping quiet, but it doesn't mean we're not worried." (Reuters, AP)

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