MOSCOW, July 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign ministry does not intend to revoke ABC accreditation for airing an interview with Chechen terrorist leader Shamil Basayev, the ministry officials said commenting on a statement made earlier by Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov that his ministry breaks up all contacts with the ABC TV network.
"It [the ABC] is a persona non grata, it is a rogue TV station as far as the defense ministry is concerned," Ivanov told a news conference in Vladivostok Sunday.
"The statement made by the defense minister does not mean that the foreign ministry will also revoke ABC's accreditation," foreign ministry officials said.
They also said they respected the feelings of the military who are directly involved in the fight against terrorism. "We will not be surprised if after the airing of Basayev's interview, which provoked a wave of sharp criticism in the Russian society, some other organizations or state bodies refuse to have contacts with ABC representatives, as well," foreign ministry officials added.
