Us Sees No Fallout

The relationship between Lebed and US officials never really had a chance to develop, and so I dont see any fundamental change in the US-Russian relationship in terms of this announcement, Perry said.

Perry, on a three-day visit to Russia, said he had cancelled a meeting with the outspoken Lebed at the last minute late on Thursday because he was aware of the problems that Lebed was having with the government.

I could not forecast this particular outcome, but it seemed unwise to go ahead and schedule that meeting and so we did not schedule it, Perry said.During his trip, Perry met Russian defence minister Igor Rodionov and other senior government officials, including Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.

 

Meanwhile, Britain said yesterday it hoped the sacking of Lebed would not hurt the peace process in breakaway Chechnya.

We hope this development will not adversely affect the Chechnya peace process, a spokesman for the foreign office said in London. The foreign office declined further comment.We are aware of ... Lebeds dismissal. Its not for us to comment on internal Russian politics, the spokesman said.