Russia fury at US-Chechen talks

Mr Akhmadov held a meeting with US State Department officials

Russia sharply criticised Washington on Tuesday for holding talks with a Chechen rebel envoy, despite a series of car bombings over the weekend that killed at least 23 people near Chechnya.

Washington's action can simply be described as immoral

Russian Foreign Ministry

The meeting between US State Department officials and Chechen envoy Ilyas Akhmadov was bitterly opposed by Moscow which has warned repeatedly that it will have negative consequences.

The US State Department made clear last week the United States intended to meet with both sides in the conflict.

During the meeting, the US side expressed the view that the Chechen conflict cannot be resolved by military means, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.

'Immoral'

A statement by a State Department spokesman that Mr Beyrle's talks with Mr Akhmadov took place outside the state department's offices did nothing to mollify Russian anger.

Moscow has claimed success in its operation in Chechnya

"Such a move on the part of a great civilised power would look unnatural after the latest bloody crimes by Chechen terrorists," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Washington's action can simply be described as immoral," the statement said.

Foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said that Washington's action would be seen as "unfriendly" towards Russia.

The chairman of the State Duma foreign affairs committee Dmitry Rogozin said there were now "solid grounds to add the United States to those who officially support terrorism".

Blasts

Moscow had threatened to retaliate if the meeting went ahead.

Russia blamed the rebels for last weekend's blasts, but Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov denied responsibility.

Kremlin officials said that the explosives used in the blasts were of the kind used by sabotage groups operating for Chechen guerrillas.

Russia has begun scaling down its military presence in Chechnya.

Moscow has claimed success in its "anti-terrorist" operation despite evidence that large areas of the republic remain outside its control.