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U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS LISTING OF CHECHEN GROUPS AS INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS

MOSCOW, February 20. /From a RIA Novosti correspondent/ -- The United States Department of State has officially confirmed the inclusion of three groups operating in Chechnya in the list of international terrorist organizations.

Washington attaches very serious importance to the threat which Chechen terrorists pose to Russia, State Secretary Colin Powell said on Thursday.

We have many times discussed it with Minister Ivanov and President Putin, he said.

Not long ago the United States Department of State has put three Chechen organizations in the official list of international terrorist organizations, said Powell.

The American state secretary stressed that the United States is doing everything possible in close interaction with the Georgian authorities and our Russian colleagues to help them in the on-going war on terrorism. At the same time, we are looking into ways for a peaceful settlement of problems of Chechnya, Powell said.

To him, the United States knows how close to heart Russia takes the problem of Chechen terrorism, especially after the tragic hostage-taking at a Moscow theater.

On this matter we continue regular consultations and permanent interaction with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov, said the American state secretary.

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