ABC "Regrets"

The American TV company ABC "regrets" the decision of the Russian Foreign Ministry not to renew its accreditation. According to company head David Westlin, they hope in the company that Russian authorities would revise their decision. He also said that he did not think the broadcasting of the interview with terrorist Shamil Basayev was a mistake.

As he said, "Russians suffered very much at the hands of Chechen terrorists, and no civilized people can bear with the killing of peaceful citizens". However, noted D. Westlin, the mission of free media was to provide information on what is happening, including unlawful activities. "We cannot assent to any government impeding us in the coverage of the news, he added.

According to ABC spokeswoman in New York, Emily Lenzner, she does not believe the decision of the Russian authorities would prevent the company transmitting news from Russia.

"I don't think we regret having broadcast Basayev's interview", she added.

As earlier reported, the Russian Foreign Ministry had declared the American TV company ABC undesirable for contacts with any Russian government structure for having aired an interview with leader of Chechen terrorists Shamil Basayev.

The Foreign Ministry's declaration specified that on the expiry of the accreditation of the ABS staff in Russia their accreditations would not be renewed.