POWELL CAUTIONS MOSCOW.

On October 17, the Associated Press reported that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, while flying to China from India for a meeting of Asian-Pacific foreign ministers, had told reporters traveling on the plane that the United States recognizes that Russia has the right to defend its interests in Chechnya. But, Powell added, Moscow must do so in a way that reflects a solid consideration of human rights and accountability for past atrocities. He also underscored that Russia should recognize that “not every Chechen who is in a resistance mode is necessarily a terrorist.” Powell was scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov that evening.