President Clinton has called the murder of the liberal Russian politician, Galina Starovoitova, an assault on the country's efforts to build a society based on the rule of law.

The President praised Mrs Starovoitova's work for democracy in Russia, and said the outpouring of grief following her death proved the strength of the values she championed.

But Mr Clinton said the United States was troubled by anti-Semitism and extremism in Russia, and stressed the importance of sustaining democracy even during the most difficult times.

Mrs Starovoitova was murdered on Friday outside her apartment block;police have not yet established a motive for the killing.