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Powell in Moscow Talks as Suicide Bombers Strike

Wednesday, May 14, 2003
(3:16 PM)
Reuters

"We believe the entry into force of the treaty will be a very important page in Russia-U.S. relations and for the world. I would like to stress that despite our disagreement, including over the Iraq crisis, Russian foreign policy is oriented towards constructing a long-term friendly partnership with the United States."
-- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov

Image Credit: Reuters

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell began talks with Russian leaders on Wednesday covering terrorism to Iraqi oil, on a tour haunted by deadly suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia and Russia's rebel Chechnya.

The Bush administration's war on terror was certain to dominate the visit after Monday's three suicide bombings in Riyadh killed at least 29 people, including seven Americans. Hours after Powell arrived in Russia, at least 20 people were killed in a new suicide bomb attack in the rebel region of Chechnya, Itar-Tass news agency said.

The latest attack came just two days after three suicide bombers drove a truck loaded with explosives into a government office complex in northern Chechnya, killing 59 people. "The bloody acts of terror in Chechnya and Saudi Arabia can bring Moscow and Washington together," read a headline in the Russian daily Vremya Novostei.

In Moscow, Powell will prepare for June 1 summit between presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush in St Petersburg when the two men will seek to show their good relations are still on track despite divisions over the Iraqi war.
(More: Gazeta.Ru)
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