US radio begins Chechen broadcasts

The radio station moved from Munich to Prague in 1995

By Martin Ritchie in Moscow

A United States-sponsored radio station has begun Chechen-language broadcasts to the North Caucasus, despite objections from Russia.

We do not take sides, but we are not in the business of making people happy. If people weren't complaining we wouldn't be doing our job right

RFE/RL spokeswoman

Kremlin officials are worried that the broadcasts of the Radio Free Europe/Liberty (RFE/RL) could fuel extremist sentiment in Chechnya, where Russia is waging a military campaign against separatist rebels.

The local-language service was initially scheduled to begin in February, but was postponed on order of the US State Department amid fears that US-Russian relations could be harmed.

The broadcasts are being aired from studios at the station's headquarters in Prague.

'Not a tool of foreign policy'

Sonia Winter, spokeswoman for Radio Liberty, brushed aside Moscow's concerns.

RFE/RL

Set up in 1949 with US Congress backing to counter Soviet propaganda

Relocated from Munich to Prague in 1995

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"We do not take sides, but we are not in the business of making people happy. If people weren't complaining we wouldn't be doing our job right".

RFE/RL will devote two hours daily to the broadcasts, which will be conducted in the regional languages of Chechen, Avar, Circassian, as well as Russian.

The US State Department stressed that the radio station, although funded by the State Department and mandated by the US Congress, was not a tool of foreign policy.

"It's a news and information service. [It] represents an effort to provide objective reporting and information to the region," State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said.

'Propaganda' accusations

This is unlikely to placate the Russian authorities however, who have already imposed strict controls on media activity in the breakaway republic.

The war reduced capital of Chechnya to rubbles

Russia's Foreign Ministry warned that the broadcasts amounted to "propaganda" which would complicate Russian efforts "to stabilise the situation in the area".

The differences between the Russian and US governments on this issue are in marked contrast to an apparent warming of relations in the last six months.

Since the 11 September attacks, Washington is widely alleged to have turned a blind eye to allegations of human rights abuses in Chechnya.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first leaders to offer condolences to US President George W Bush after the attacks, and the Kremlin subsequently offered strong support to military action in Afghanistan.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry warned that that the service could jeopardise recent warm relations between the Russian and US governments.

"This move is not in line with the joint anti-terrorist campaign nor with the spirit of partnership being formed between Russia and the United States," the statement said.

On Tuesday, the Russia summoned a senior US diplomat to protest the plans.

Russian President's chief spokesman on Chechnya Sergei Yastrzhembsky stopped short of outright condemnation of the station's new broadcasts, but said he would be taking a special interest.

He told Russia's TASS news agency that Moscow would "watch their themes very seriously and attentively".

"We are not going to feel pessimistic at all in advance but we shall keep an eye on the programs to be broadcast," he added.