(13 Sep 1995) TYPE: English/Nat
The White House has condemned the rocket grenade attack on the U-S embassy in Moscow, but believe it is an isolated act that won't effect Russia-U-S relations.
A state department spokesman revealed that the grenade, which penetrated the embassy wall, was stopped by a large photocopier, preventing more damage.
Amid a climate of strained relations with Russia over the NATO airstrikes on Serb positions in Bosnia, the White House refused to speculate on the possible motives for the attack on their embassy.
SOUNDBITE:
"They're getting more details on it now. Obviously we condemn this attack on a US diplomatic facility, but we will work together with the Russian authorities to determine what we can find out pretty quickly on the nature of the attack."
SUPER CAPTION: Mike McCurry, White House Spokesman
At a state department briefing, it emerged that a large photocopier had prevented serious damage.
SOUNDBITE:
"The grenade penetrated a wall on the sixth floor of the embassy and was stopped by a large copy machine. There were no casualties or injuries, and the building was immediately evacuated. The grenade was fired from a commercial and apartment building across the street from our embassy. I don't believe that anyone has been apprehended yet by the Russian authorities."
SUPER CAPTION: Nick Burns, State Department Spokesman
The attack came on the eve of a visit to Moscow by Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot, but it won't be considered a factor as he tries to mend relations with Moscow which have been soured by Bosnia.
SOUNDBITE:
"We have a big disagreement here. But I don't think you should conclude from this disagreement that somehow, the state of Russian/US relations is going to suffer in other respects. There is too much that unites Russia and the United States, too much common ground, and a lot of self interest, mutual self interest."
SUPER CAPTION: Nick Burns, State Department Spokesman.
Security will be tightened at the embassy and U-S consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostock.
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