…BUT DEPLORES RUSSIAN MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CHECHNYA.

The Clinton administration, which had been notably reticent to criticize Moscow for its military operations in Chechnya prior to Russia’s presidential elections, yesterday deplored reported attacks on civilians in the tiny Caucasus republic. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns blamed the Yeltsin government for resuming military operations, and said that the U.S. opposed "excessive and inappropriate use of military force, particularly against the innocent civilian population." He also expressed disappointment over the apparent fact that the Yeltsin government had pursued peace in the run-up to the elections only for political purposes. (Reuter, July 11)

Lebed Garners New Responsibilities.