Washington, 18 December 1996 (RFE/RL) - The United States yesterday condemned the murder of six International Red Cross (IRC) workers in Chechnya.
U.S. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns called it "a barbaric act." He said the United States is very disturbed and condemns the act in the strongest terms.
Burns said the United States calls on Chechen authorities to do everything they can to track down the murderers.
He also expressed sympathy and understanding with the IRC's decision to suspend operations in Chechnya. Burns noted that the international relief organization is in the breakaway republic to help both sides. He said it cannot carry out its work when "its people are gunned down in the most cruel and merciless fashion."