Washington, 9 November 1999 (RFE/RL) - The United States is accusing Russia of violating international agreements on the conduct of war,
including the Geneva conventions, in its offensive in Chechnya. State Department Spokesman James Rubin made the charge yesterday in
connection with what he called the Russian military's "indiscriminate use of force" against Chechen civilians. Rubin reiterated the U.S. view that a military solution is not possible and appealed for a dialogue between Moscow and legitimate Chechen representatives. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov cautioned the West not to adopt a hard line against Moscow's military action in Chechnya.