WASHINGTON – While condemning the assassination of Chechnya's (search) president, the Bush administration on Sunday refrained from criticizing Russia over its long fight with the province's separatist rebels.
U.S. officials have encouraged Moscow (search) to seek a political solution to the conflict in the region. Russia sees the Chechnya war as part of its own battle against terrorism.
"The United States resolutely rejects all acts of terrorism and those who commit them. No national, ethnic, religious or other cause can ever justify the use of terrorism," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov (search) and more than 20 other people were killed when bomb ripped through the VIP section at a stadium where Chechens were marking the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, officials said.
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